Page 70 of A Soul to Steal

He hoped they hadn’t made a rushed decision that could poorly affect this innocent girl later due to possibly fickle and thoughtless selfishness. If they were to take someone in, he believed they should do so wisely and ensure that the child’s needs were the focal point.

“Hmm.” Raewyn’s expression turned thoughtful. “To be honest, it wasn’t really the right time. Lehnenia was four when she was brought to the city, but in the year she’s been adjusting to living here and being without her parents, she hasn’t had it easy.” She gave a very weak smile, mingled with sympathy. “Her horns and fangs are growing in too fast, and she was picked on by the other orphans, both Elysian and Delysian. We think because Merikh is so different, and has big fangs and horns like her, she easily grew attached to him after the few times they interacted. She wanted to come with us and we –he– just couldn’t say no.”

In Gideon’s peripheral, Merikh’s orbs morphed into a fairly bright reddish pink. He muttered something quietly, like one would do under their breath, as he shuffled himself in his seated position on the floor. His bear skull tilted towards them before going back down to the parchment in front of him and Lehnenia.

Merikh chose to remain quiet, despite his obvious embarrassment. Gideon figured it was due to something being stated that made him feel vulnerable.

“She is still adjusting,” Raewyn continued. “She has only been with us for a little over a week. We are trying to spend as much time with her as we can during the adjustment period. I have also stepped back from some of my duties to do so. No one minds, as I do what is most important.”

“I see,” Gideon mumbled, looking towards the girl.

She looked happy. With the way Merikh was holding her on his knee and interacting with her, it was easy to tell he was smitten.

The room was filled with chatter between the two Duskwalkers and Lehnenia. Raewyn had her right ear turned to them with a contented smile upon her pretty features, seemingly at peace as she listened from her seat.

Aleron’s wings and tail feathers often puffed and vibrated with joy, even when his questions about what they were doing were mostly ignored.

Gideon just remained silent, taking it all in.

I guess this will help Aleron understand what a child is.

Crouched down to observe the Demon youngling, he couldn’t help finding her... odd. Her body looked too small and delicate, and he was rather thankful it was impossible to touch her.

Her eyes were large and round, her canine fangs and horns too big and disproportionate to the rest of her, and yet her hands were tiny things. She could barely hold one of Merikh’s fingers.

I have not even seen humans this small.And she’d been easily frightened of his and Gideon’s presence, making him believe the young were cowardly.

Despite the youngling itself, he actually only came closer because he wanted to see how Merikh interacted with it. Especially after he’d told him it was easier to speak to a youngling than he and Ingram, or other Mavka.

Should he be offended that he’d compared their intellect to this little creature? At first, he had been. However, the more he watched, the more something became very apparent.

She chatted with Merikh, who was quick to respond and show her something with the items in front of them. Up close, he noted how at ease the usually violent and aggressive Mavka acted with her upon his knee. Not an ounce of tension stiffened a single muscle, nor were his spikes puffed beneath his guards.

He’d even sheathed his claws, as though he didn’t wish to harm the fragile creature.

Aleron took note of how small her claws were, and how her fangs didn’t appear truly threatening. She was a creature that needed protecting, and likely couldn’t hurt a Mavka no matter how much she tried.

Is this why he likes her?Because even at whatever young age Raewyn had stated, she communicated clearly with Merikh? Even if they were to argue or fight, the youngling wouldn’t stand a chance, whereas both he and his kindred could do – and have done – severe damage to Merikh.

Even the last time they’d fought with him, the bear-skulled Mavka had lost an entire arm, despite winning the overall fight. That was a difficult feat, considering Merikh was the only Mavka that ever won a fight against them.

Merikh pointed to the parchment, and the youngling nodded before writing some squiggles he couldn’t decipher.She is able to learn.

Up until recently, even Aleron knew he could never have sat like this and been taught anything. He and Ingram would have gotten bored and wanted to play. They’d forget the lesson.

His wings flapped when he figured outwhyMerikh’s patience was only present for the child.

“Mavka are like creatures,” he muttered aloud. “I have seen small animals following bigger ones. We act more like them, not like this youngling.”

Merikh lifted his snout to him. “I’m surprised you were able to surmise that on your own.”

Aleron’s sight shifted to bright yellow, happily taking the compliment from the mean Mavka. It brightened when the youngling turned her face to his, and she gave him a large, toothy grin. Then she lifted the parchment to Aleron’s bat skull, wanting him to take a closer look.

He pretended to do so while nodding. Then she rambled at him.

I like her. She is friendly like Raewyn.

She did not judge him for his skinless face, or his wings and claws. She didn’t mind that he was a Mavka, and instead had openly brought him into the fold of their teaching.

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