Page 2 of A Soul to Guide

She could almost picture him with an annoyed pout and his arms folded. She remembered what he looked like, since they’d been friends long before she’d lost her sight.

She didn’t know if his hair was still long and tied back into a high ponytail, but he had the same white hair and taupe-brown skin, similar to the Elysian Elves, despite being born a Demon. He was a little taller than the average Elysian height of six foot four inches, but he was just as lean, with defined muscle tone.

Since he wasn’t a trueElysian Elf, Cykran lacked the magical symbols printed over their skin, which was indicative of the type of magic they best wielded. He also had red eyes, whereas theirs were predominantly a variation of brown or green. He hated his red eyes, claws, fangs, and horns, considering they made it obvious what he was.

She had never minded them.

Most Elysians didn’t. As long as Demons fully obtainedElysianity and intelligence and weren’t mindless, bloodthirsty monsters, they were accepted.

Which, unfortunately, were few and far between.

Delysian was the race of Demons who had become so Elf-like, they were basically the same. It was the name given to them when they entered through the gates and were granted permission to stay within the city.

Outside the council palace, past the beachside landscape of Lezekos City – the only place Elysians could now live – was an infestation of Demons. This beautiful world, once free for all, was now owned by the Demon scourge: a never-ending wave of fangs.

Poor Cykranstill battled the factthat he became this way from eating a vast amount of her kind. Many Elysians were wary of him in general, as they feared he would turn on them, but as long as he consumed some kind of meat every day, he was as harmless as a tukdeer.

Except for his sarcasm, apparently.

“I thought you cared about me, Cykran,” she falsely whined.

“I am thankful for you, councilwoman, as your family is the reason we Delysians are allowed to live here, protected from the Demons.” Then, his tone became snidely humorous as he said, “But no, you can turn yourself into a vegetable, and I’ll make sure no one eats you.”

Raewyn groaned in dismay.

The reason she was trying to makehufflepumpkin grow was so she could help feed the city. Food was free, although monitored, since they would never make someone work for the necessities of life. Anything that a person required to live, whether it be food, water, a home, or even sanitary products, was freely available to all.

Elysians only paid for nonessentials. A small home with very little was provided for free, but if they wished for a bigger home, furniture other than a bed, table, and chairs, they had to work for it. Artwork was considered a luxury.

Most just wished to support the city in any way they could.

However, food was becoming scarcer as their numbers, thankfully, began to flourish. Over two-thirds of their people had been slaughtered when the Demons arrived, and since they were non-violent, they had no way of fighting back.

They never ate meat, so fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes were essential. It was odd for them to have livestock, but if the Delysians didn’t have meat to eat, they couldn’t remain in the city.

Besides their slowly dwindling food, they were also running out of space. Currently, thousands were working to expand the city’s wallsbeforeoverpopulation became an issue.

People had already – after learning the new practice of fighting – cleared the surrounding forests of Demons. The magical barrier protecting the city had recently been expanded, andconstruction of thenew areas was firmly underway.

Now, she was working to make sure her people were always fed.

“Are you sure you need to take this risk, Rae?” Cykran asked, his low, firm tone filled with worry.

Despite not being able to see, she turned her face up towards him. “Yes. We have learned how to make other vegetables and fruits, but they are easy to grow.Hufflepumpkin is so high in manynutrients and is more filling. It will be better for both our peoples if we can grow it quicker, since it will help feed the Delysians as well.”

With just that bit of self-encouragement, she poured in the ringsage. Finally, the last ingredient was dropped inside – a single hufflepumpkin seed.

She hovered her hands above the container and took in a deep breath, letting her magic freely flow through her body. Cold lines wound up her forearms in geometric hexagons and patterns, glowing as she used her magic.

It was the only thing she could see, as if her blindness was purely physical. She’d never been able to see tendrils of magic before her accident, and it was a comforting sight now that she lived in darkness. Hers glowed a neutral grey that lacked any elemental colouring. It was exceedingly rare, but powerful.

Once she poured enough magic into the concoction, there was resistance, as though she was pressing against a large ball. She shoved in spirit, a replenishable source that came from within, and the grey glow of her magic spun with bright green to signify the spell had shifted into more of an earthy element.

Something burst to life in the middle with a wave of pressure, and she stopped. Seconds ticked by as Raewyn waited.

“Did it work?” she asked Cykran, before patting down her arms. She would have touched it to double check, but she didn’t want to be harmed by something unknown that could potentially be dangerous. “Or am I purple?”

“Nothing is happening.”

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