Page 75 of To Free a Soul (Duskwalker Beginnings #2)

Sharp talons dug into the bark of a massive tree branch as Lindiwe stared at Spiral Haven from above in her owl form. She’d removed most of the spirits of humans from it when she first got here, ensuring that the likelihood of one popping up was low.

It was all in preparation for the people who had just entered the village.

All three were shrouded in black cloaks, and it did much to hide their wolf, fox, and deer skulls from being noticed.

Although two beings were over seven-foot-tall Duskwalkers, the little one, who barely came to their chests, was a brave human in disguise.

Reia constantly adjusted her deer skull so she could see through its eyeholes and stuck to the shield of Orpheus’ cloak. A scent-masking spell stopped her human smell from being detected. If she strayed too far from him and got lost on her own, she’d likely be discovered.

Lindiwe intended to intervene if that happened, but she also had other motives for being here.

It’s nearly been a month since she was brought to the Veil. Reia had somehow managed to survive longer than any other offering.

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 went psst psst psst at 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.

“Answer to what?”

His lips quirked. “Wouldn’t you like to know. How’s the feline Mavka?”

“You have some gall asking me about him after what you did.”

“I did to him what was done unto me. Then again, that’s not entirely true, as I did do a little more than that.”

Her stomach knotted with understanding and dread. He’s better, since it’s been a few years. Leonidas was resilient, probably more so than his siblings, but there were scars in places where the eye could not see.

Cutting off his head to save him had been hard, but she’d also been there when he came back to life. He’d been thankful after she explained why she did it. A small amount of trust had grown, but he was skittish around most beings now – understandably so.

She wanted to ask Jabez how he could do that to another living creature, but she was also acutely aware of how hypocritical that would be.

Like he said, he did what was done to him.

.. by her. She would probably do more if she had the opportunity, like cut out his beating heart and show him how sickly and broken it was.

When did Lindiwe’s spirit grow so corrupt that she would even consider doing such a horrible thing? I’m a monster, as much as he is. She’d known that for a long time too.

She was more of a monster than her children, even if she didn’t look like one. Everything I do, everything I touch, rots. Perhaps she was unlucky or cursed.

“How’d you save him anyway?” Jabez asked, extending his hand and dropping his apple core. He looked down, watching it fall, and then tsked when it hit the ground, like he’d been hoping it’d land on someone’s head. “I’ve always wanted to ask how he got out with the barrier still in place.”

“I... cut off his head.”

He didn’t laugh, didn’t make a joke. The silence was surprising, and when she lifted her gaze to him, he cocked a white brow.

“I never thought you’d do such a thing.” He looked down at the apple in her lap, rolled his eyes, and then snatched it so he could eat it when it was obvious she wasn’t going to. “But that’s the price of war. You find yourself doing unimaginably horrible things, even when you don’t want to.”

Lindiwe was unsure if he was talking about his own actions or hers, even when his ears were pulled back in a way Lindiwe knew meant he was being coy or hiding the truth of his emotions.

“I can’t do this anymore,” she said, getting to her feet. “I can’t sit here and pretend we’re on amicable terms when I want nothing more than to scratch your eyes out. You are the one at war, all by yourself.”

“Fair enough. I did just come here to annoy you, after all. However, Lindiwe...” he trailed off.

She considered ignoring him and not giving in to the weight of her name and how he said it. To not give him the satisfaction of turning and meeting his malice-filled gaze.

She failed... and greeted him.

“We have been patiently waiting nine years. It’s not my revenge to take, but hers, but my war has always been more important to me than her wishes. I suggest Weldir lowers his ward now, or prepare yourselves to suffer the consequences of inaction.”

“I told you, we have no–”

“You are almost out of time. Heed that warning now, as this is my way of offering kindness.”

Then he was gone, and Lindiwe’s blood pumped with alarm.

Reia was in danger. Then again, she had been this entire time. It’d never been a case of if , but when .

I need to prepare them for any outcome. Orpheus likely told her of Jabez and the danger he presented, but that didn’t stop her from being snatched. If she can just give me time to get to her side and help, if she can wield her sword and protect herself, then...

Maybe Reia could survive long enough that it no longer mattered. If she would just give him her soul...

She hastily shifted into an owl, all so that she could lure Reia to a bookshop where she’d leave behind tokens for her to obtain. Feathers that stuck out from the spines of books.

Weldir, I really need your help right now.

Please wake up.