Page 130 of To Free a Soul
Her brows furrowed as she looked up at him in puzzlement. “You befriended a Demon?”
“It was short-lived. She was murdered for befriending me.”
Lindiwe’s eyes widened.“She?”
He produced a rather curt growl, informing her that this wasn’t up for discussion.
He made a friend, not only with a Demon, but a woman?Lindiwe didn’t want to know what that meant.And she was killed because of it?
How... sad.
I didn’t know he sought companionship after what happened with Jabez.
Merikh’s claw pointed at her fist. “Give this to Orpheus. It should stop his offerings from being taken, or his home from being invaded by Demons.”
As nice as this was... “Why do you care?” She couldn’t help the way her eyes narrowed in untrusting spite at him. “You were the one who helped start all his suffering.”
“This is my way of making up for that. I know they are trying to figure out a way to kill Mavka, and although I don’t want to be within sniffing distance of any of my siblings, I won’t allow myself to be the reason another of us perishes.”
Is it guilt?This added a layer of complexity Lindiwe didn’t foresee in Merikh.
“And yet,youare adding two more to be targeted. How stupid and selfish,” he bit out.
Lindiwe scoffed at that. “I’m hoping Ingram and Aleron will protect each other.”
Like you and Nathair once did before you killed him.Her cheeks pinched in resentment, but she quickly smoothed her features.
“What kind of names are those? Just as useless as the nameOrsonfor a Mavka.”
“Your name was special to me,” she grumbled defensively. “Their names mean ‘raven of peace’ and ‘the winged one.’ Just because you don’t like your name, doesn’t mean theirs are bad.”
“Everyone and everything will hate them regardless. You’re birthing more creatures that don’t belong anywhere in this world.”
Is that really how he feels? Like he doesn’t belong anywhere?Lindiwe averted her gaze because she didn’t want to invalidate his pain, but she also disagreed. Or maybe she wanted to believe he was wrong, and they’d all find their place eventually.If he would stop being so aggressive and short-tempered, he’s intelligent enough to gain companions...
“That is all I wanted.” He waved his hand in a shooing manner. “Now go give that to Orpheus. Hopefully it helps him.”
“Wait,” Lindiwe yelled while reaching out, before quickly drawing her hand back when his quills flared dangerously. “What if we find a way for you to fit in?”
“Fit in?”he stated darkly, then let out a cruel laugh. “That’s impossible. Mavka don’t fit in anywhere.”
Her eyelids lowered into an irritated glare. “You offer a magical charm and then disregard the potential for magical aid.”
“Alright, fine.” He folded his arms. “I’ll bite. What do you have in mind?”
“Weldir?” she called, causing him to tilt his head questioningly.
“Yes?”he answered through the bond.
“Do you think it’s possible to make a glamour with one of the remaining mana stones we have left?”
“I don’t see why not. It’s not a particularly difficult spell. You would have to sacrifice one of your items, though – like with the diadem.”
Oh, right. The diadem.Lindiwe looked up at the sky.I’m glad Orpheus still has that.She’d left it on his dining table quite a few decades ago. Considering she’d seen that offering wearing it before she died, Lindiwe knew she’d read the inscription for Orpheus, and he continued to give it to all those who survived the journey afterwards.
She lowered her gaze to Merikh.
“I have a necklace he can wear around his neck.” She eyed his quills, and her lips pursed. “Maybe not around his neck. Around his horns?”
