Page 60 of To Free a Soul
She’d left Sayrn’s side when it made her crankier than she already was. She wanted to be alone, but didn’t want to be alone, and she was so twisted up inside that she just felt like a hormonal mess.
Since then, she’d been flying over Zafrikaan, looking for Ghosts within the forests or across the grasslands.
I wonder if there’s any more here.She scanned the area to see if there were any other items left behind, or the telltale whiteoutline of somethingotherbeing there.Women don’t often travel alone.
“Lindiwe.”
She closed her eyelids and sucked in a long, deep, enraged breath at her name being called.
Just leave me alone,she thought, opening her eyes when she thought she’d quelled the worst of her anger.How many times are you going to call me before you realise I’m not going to answer?
She’d speak to him whenshewas ready.
Then she propped her feathered hood over her head to show her disinterest.I wish he’d just... go to sleep.Forever. Then they’d never have to have conversations about sex, or children, or anything ever again.
I don’t want to hear his stupid, sexy voice,her mind complained as she sulked.I hate it.
She didn’t, not really, but right now, she was just so full of hurt, betrayal, and spite that shewantedto hate it.
“Lindiwe!”Weldir roared when feathers began to form across her nose, and she flinched in surprise because heneverdid that.“This is not the time for your pesky human silent treatment. Orpheus has abandoned his home to run towards the centre of the Veil, and he is distraught.”
She yanked her hood back, freeing her curls. “What? Why?”
“I’m unsure. I wasn’t watching, as I was tending to my souls.”
“Where is Katerina?”
“If I was able to see into their ward, I could answer that. Alas, I cannot.”Did she hear a snark in his tone?
Lindiwe hesitated.I said I wouldn’t interfere anymore.Orpheus had to make his own choices and be the leader of his own life.He could be heading to the centre of the Veil for anyreason...Yet something nagged at the back of her mind.What if something is truly wrong?
“Fine. Please take me to his ward.”
“I’m surprised you want my aid now, considering you flew across half the world by yourself.”
Oh, he was angry with her over that, and likely many other things.
Good!
At least he couldfeelthat!
Her lashes partly obscured her vision from her fierce glare. “This is an emergency. I’m not going to waste weeks flying when you can do it in minutes.”
“So you’ll only deign to acknowledge my presence when it’s convenient?”
I’d rather not be in your presence at all!she wanted to scream.
“Why are we having this argument?!” Lindiwe yelled, stamping her right foot and wishing his toes were underneath. “Take me toourson’s home! Right now!”
The ground came out from under her, and weightless darkness caught her. The moment she saw Weldir out of the corner of her eye, she folded her arms and waited to be transported to the Veil.
When he didn’t, and she floated there for too long, she threw her hands out. “Well? Hurry up.”
“Infuriating,” he growled back.
Dusk greeted her, but the far-reaching shade made everything dark and foreboding, despite the sky being painted in beautiful hues of orange, purple, and pink.
She quickly entered Orpheus’ ward and approached the house.
