Page 143 of To Free a Soul
She cares for Orpheus.It was apparent that she felt something tender for her son, and that was bringing on foolish hope.Could she be the one?Was Reia finally the human who would, of her own choice, stay with Orpheus?We’ve waited so long for this.
It was a shame that Weldir wasn’t here to witness this. If he had a real ass, he might kick himself in disappointment for still sleeping.
Unfortunately, Lindiwe had an irritant as a companion this eve.
“Heeeeere, pretty birdie,” Jabez cooed at her side, his hand out as he clicked his fingers like she was a cat.
Piss off,she wished she could say, flapping a wing dismissively as she side-stepped further down the branch and away from him.
“Awww, don’t be like that. What happened to our truce?” When he wentpsst psst psstat her again, following her while crouched, she gave him an angry hoot. “Are you still fucking mad about the feline-skulled Mavka? That was almost a decade ago.”
I hope you fall off this tree and snap your stupid neck.Of course she still hadn’t forgiven him for what he did to Leonidas! He could rot and burn for all she cared.
When he wouldn’t stop pestering her, Lindiwe glided to a lower branch. The bastard fucking followed her by teleporting!
She yanked her hood back and scrunched her face at him angrily. “What do you want?”
“I’m bored. Entertain me.”
She wrapped a tentacle around his neck and yanked it. He teleported on the spot to be free before he could go flying.
“That’s not nice. You know how boring it is to live this long – take pity on me.” He probably thought he was being humorous and light-hearted.
“The only reason I’m not trying to stab you right now is because this is neutral ground.”
Jabez sighed and sat down with one leg dangling over the side of the branch. “This human has lasted quite a while. If this wasn’t neutral ground, I might’ve snatched her by now.” He leaned back on straightened arms until all his long hair dangled like a white curtain. “Then again, we never agreed Mavka would be included in that truce. If you won’t entertain me, I’ll find other means.”
The threat was there. It hung over her head silently. Unspoken but utterly terrifying because he was talking about stealing away their hope.
Bastard. Fine.
Lindiwe sat down as well, ensuring there was a gap between them. Jabez shifted over until their shoulders almost brushed.
“Come now. I don’t bite.”
Lindiwe placed her hand on the coarse bark and pushed away. “That’s a lie, and we both know it.”
He’d almost bitten her multiple times.
“It’s interesting watching them, none of them the wiser that two people on opposing sides are observing their every move.” Jabez disappeared, only to reappear moments later with two apples. He dumped one in her lap before taking a bite out of his own. “Have you come to make sure he doesn’t fuck it up?”
Cupping her hands around the apple, knowing Jabez wouldn’t stoop to poisoning her, she brushed her thumb over its smooth surface. “Yes. I also plan to help them obtain some useful things. Items that they wouldn’t think to get.”
“Want some help?”
“You know anything I tell them to get wouldn’t benefit you.”
He took another bite of his apple and then pushed the chunk into his cheek to talk. “Eh. Sometimes it’s fun to give the opposing side a hand, just to see them flounder regardless.”
“Do you intend to intervene?” Lindiwe asked darkly.
“Hmm. Haven’t decided yet.”
Lindiwe could feel the foreshadowing, the lie that must be present.It’s why I plan to help today.Reia was a strange, although strong, person. She was getting better with her sword, but she needed help.And Fennec could use a book on how to build a house, like how I gave one to Orpheus.
“Although I didn’t know it at the time, I have my answer,” Jabez stated, and the tiny hairs on Lindiwe’s arms lifted.
She looked at him, and his cold red eyes were intense as he peered at her from the corner of his eyelids.
