Page 69 of To Free a Soul (Duskwalker Beginnings #2)

Her brows drew together until her frown crinkled her forehead. “What? Why?”

“I don’t know why.”

July 2 nd , 1973

Standing in front of Merikh, whose arms were folded defensively, Lindiwe regarded him as he towered over her. His orbs were more crimson than normal, and as usual, he had a menacing aura about him despite the bright, wintry day.

Considering he’d asked her to be here, she found that rude.

“You asked to see me?” Lindiwe greeted.

“Yes. Hold out your–”

Before he could finish, a tiny bat skull poked up through the base of her feathered hood and squawked at him. It was then yanked down as her raven-skulled baby fought to poke their head out of the loose gap as well.

“Sorry, pardon me for a moment.” She reached within her cloak, sightlessly grabbed one baby, and moved it to the other side.

Both their heads then stuck out at the base of her hood, and they sniffed in Merikh’s direction.

“I’ve never met another being while holding them, so they’re probably interested in your voice and scent. ”

“You have more,” Merikh said all surly and snappy. “Isn’t there fucking enough of us?”

“You have no idea,” she answered with an eye roll.

And Lindiwe didn’t plan to inform him just how many. It’d just piss him off.

“Whatever. Hold your hand out,” he snapped.

When he raised his big fist, she hesitated before lifting her palm through his ward. He lowered his fist, then partially opened it, and something tickled her skin. His foreclaw grazed across her flesh when he dropped whatever he was holding and pulled away.

She brought it close so she could inspect it. A bundle of dill was tied tightly with a white ribbon, and it had two bells and a tiny bone dangling from it.

“What is it?”

“A protection charm. If tied at each corner of a house, it stops anyone from entering unless they’ve been invited.”

“Okaaay.” Lindiwe curled her fingers around it and brought her gaze up to meet his orbs. “But why are you giving it to me?”

“There was a city that was destroyed, and it had a temple connected to it. A Demon brought much of its written knowledge back to her den, and she read a few texts to me while teaching me how to read. This was a spell we discovered in one of them.”

A city with a temple? Her fists tightened around the charm. He probably means Rivenspire. It was only a little northwest from here.

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, you are 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 name Orson for 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?”

“I will make it now.”

Lindiwe nodded. “You want to fit in? Then we’ll give you a glamour that lets you walk among humans.”

Merikh tilted his head with dark-yellow orbs. “Aren’t they going to be concerned about my height?”

“You’ll be surprised by how tall humans can get.”

And you’re still my shortest child, whether you know it or not.

He pointed a claw at her hand again. “That charm is in exchange for it. I don’t want to be indebted to you.”

I don’t know why I expected a thank you. But one would have been nice.

“This also changes nothing between us,” he added.

He would never know how much that wounded her. “I know.”

For a very long time, she knew building a connection with him was doubtful. But I can always hope... and keep trying.

“I’m sorry for what happened–”

Before Lindiwe could finish, Merikh turned away.

“Leave it within my ward when you’re done. I’ll find it when I’m ready.” With that, he walked away to enter his cave.

She knew there was no point in following. He’d emotionally shut her out, and she knew all too well from her own actions that nothing would let her in.

Sometimes... he’s too much like me.

Yet he lacked all the other good parts of her, the ones that could be kind and forgiving. Loving and accepting.

Why does he hate me so much? As she looked down at the swaying grass, tears welled in her eyes. He’s the one who ruined everything!

Pulling her hood over her head, Lindiwe transformed into an owl before a single tear could form. She tucked the pain away, just like she did everything else, and lifted off to head towards Orpheus’ home.

I’m... tired of being blamed for things that can’t be changed.

She was also tired of wishing they would.

But once more, reality was cold, cruel, and hopeless.