Page 87 of To Free a Soul
He pointed a grey finger at her. “Witch Owl.”
Her annoyance deepened, enough to make one eye twitch, but she didn’t correct him. He knew her name, but apparently this title was what he, and fucking Katerina, had decided she would be called.
“If you go into a rage, I’ll be here to stop you.” Pushing her bangs back, Lindiwe sighed. “Just... let’s go.”
The hard dirt of the forest changed to soft grass of a cut meadow – leaving no shade for the Demons to hide in – as they headed towards the village. Spear-wielding soldiers at their posts on either side of the gates lurched forward upon seeingthem and immediately ran inside to inform everyone of their approach.
And yet the gates remained open.
Lindiwe peeked over her shoulder at Orpheus. His hands were up near his chest in such a sweet, yet unconfident way. Her child, as monstrous and scary as he was, felt fear.
Of himself. Of failing. Of hurting those they were about to meet.
How anyone could see him as evil when he could behave this way was beyond her.
The entrance to the village was remarkably vacant. She’d expected to be greeted by a throng of gawking stares.It appears they’ve told everyone to remain inside their homes.
In the middle of the town’s entrance were eight humans. Six soldiers clad in iron armour, the mayor in a well-tailored navy suit, and a woman whose skirts were white with a brown overdress. The ninth person bore a white mask with one side painted lime green, and their white Anzúli robes, etched with purple symbols around the seams, fluttered in the wind.
The masked Anzúli, who the humans called either a Priest or Priestess, bowed their head to Lindiwe with respect.Theywere the only reason this was happening at all. Her friendship with the Anzúli people had garnered so much trust that mattered in this very moment.
She could never have guessed this was where it’d all been leading towards.
Where her request, her favour for all the good she’d done for them, would be at the cost of a sacrifice.
Despite the pang of guilt, she kept her features cool and indifferent as she tipped her head in return.
Harry, the mayor, fiddled with the bottom button of his vest as he looked over her shoulder with wide eyes. Perspiration dotted his tan forehead, and the sickly pallor of his face informed herthat he was terrified of the tall creature casting a shadow over her.
The woman at his side – middle-aged, perhaps in her late forties or early fifties – hadn’t shifted or flinched at all. Her lightly tanned face sported an array of sparse wrinkles, and her short, straight blonde hair had a sprinkling of grey throughout. Her brown eyes held nothing, remaining emotionless.
She’d found purpose in the role she was about to take on. At least, Lindiwe assumed this woman was the offering, considering there was no one else here.
“So it’s true,” the Anzúli said, tightening his arms behind his back. “You truly befriend the Duskwalkers.”
“Yes,” she confirmed without hesitation, before waving to her side. “This is Orpheus.”
He grunted at the attention upon him, and his right hand came forward a little to... twitch his fingers at them?Is he attempting to wave?If so, she found that rather cute.
“This is Lydia,” the Anzúli said, waving towards the woman.
She pinched the sides of her skirts and curtsied. “Hello.”
“Are you willing?” Lindiwe asked, meeting her gaze directly when she lifted her head.
Taken aback, her eyes fluttered, and she halted. “Y-yes. I know of everything and agreed to it.”
Lindiwe’s tone darkened and became firmer. “But were you coerced?”
“No.” Harry stepped forward with his hand placed upon his chest. “We spoke about this in the village hall, and Lydia offered herself.”
“I didn’t ask you,” Lindiwe snapped, and he started in response and stepped back. “I want to make sure she understands what this entails. That she won’t be returning here and will go to the Veil with Orpheus, and there is a chance she may die.”
Lydia’s lips thinned, and her eyes narrowed. “Yes, I understand all of that.”
“Are you sick?”
She shook her head. “No. I’m a very healthy forty-eight. I chose to do this because I have no family. No children, no husband, no one but friends who will miss me. It is fortheirchildren that I do this.”
