Page 10 of A Soul to Embrace

The colour of an Elysian’s hair was destroyed in the excess magic they had within their body. It was actually transparent, despite looking white, and showed just how mutated their hair had become after hundreds of generations. Magic was stored in it, and it could be used for many different things.

For Jabez, who had been able to teleport, it had been a weakness. One he flaunted, as he did with the skin on his back.

He searched his body and noticed the ‘Demon’ markings upon his sides, arms, and shoulders had disappeared. In their place, proper markings had taken their true shape in the form of tiny Elvish runes that swirled around his body in patterned lines. They were so small they were barely legible, and appeared mostly like swirls, knots, and circles.

Along with his loss of power, his glamour had completely faded.

He also took note that he’d lost the golden bangles that were once present on the ankle and biceps of his severed limbs. Although he hated the Elysians for what they’d done to him, he’d worn them as a show of his achievements, so when he finally faced them, they would see his strengths. They would realise how formidable and wise he’d become.

The thick chain around his neck had disintegrated, but it had held unfathomable power and had been the only reason he’d been able to create portals. Such a necklace had also been the sign of a leader. Now it was gone, along with his position as king.

Fitting.He would have tossed it into the water regardless.

The fact that the redheaded woman knew to grab my hair to teleport with me...His white brows narrowed when he tried to decipherhowshe knew.That woman bonded to the antler Mavka likely learned of it during our skirmish.

He remembered that day well, and it wasn’t with fondness.

His musings were cut short when he grunted in sudden realisation. He turned his gaze to the Mavka a few feet to the side of him.

He squinted his eyes as he looked upon her before lifting a hand to block the view of her small antlers.

He threw his head back and laughed. “That’s where I know you from!” He covered his gut when his laughter made the ball of sickness worsen, and he produced a pained groan. “You’re not the Witch Owl’s child. You’re the child of that idiot Mavka.”

Obviously overjoyed he was cheerful, the Mavka snickered along with him. She came a little closer, and only paused when he shook his head.

“Ah, that was quite the day. You were just a baby. You were a nasty thing, biting at my ankle.”

He hadn’t even known she’d existed until then, since he’d been too busy threatening and taunting her parents.

“It’s remarkable how your entire species can grow in such a short period of time. You’re also rather intelligent for a Mavka that I can see hasn’t eaten much.” He hooked his index finger around the length of a pointed ear in thought. “Is it because your mother was human, and your father half human? Perhaps your kind obtain more humanity the further your parentage is from Weldir.”

Although he could tell it meant little in terms of physique and other physical aspects, as she looked fully like an adult Mavka. However, it did answer why she was so good with her magic to heal at her stage of development, as well as knowing to block her nose from scents with mud, make a home,andbe able to understand instructions so readily.

It was the only thing that made sense.

“I guess not all hope is lost for your kind then.” He placed his elbow on his thigh and rested his cheek against the knuckles of his fist. “Your mother truly thought I was going to kill you that day.” Jabez tsked as he rolled his eyes. “I may be cruel, but not even I would harm a defenceless child. I knew scaring her would force her hand. Humans are rather predictable like that.”

This time, Jabez looked off to the side as he cupped his jaw. He tapped across his lips.

“Although... the idea of keeping you did cross my mind. I could have just trained you to be as formidable as Merikh and a loyal companion. The ever-night knows I’m all out of companions.”

He didn’t have a single friend of his own. Then again, it was hard to trust anyone in this fucked-up realm. He’d rather have none if it meant he lived another day.

I barely even trusted Katerina.He’d chosen her as his concubine because she was weak, defenceless, and cute when she wanted to be. But her manipulative actions and hatred towards his old friend, Merikh, had shown him she was untrustworthy.

She was toxic, as was he, which meant they worked. Two self-destructing pieces that had a mutual agreement. He promised he wouldn’t abuse her, which he hadn’t, and she wouldn’t drive a knife through his heart.

Perhaps he’d once cared for her deeper than he was willing to admit, but he couldn’t bring her back to life. He’d also grown thankful for her absence, as the removal of her persistence in getting him to kill all Mavka allowed him to see the truth: killing them would do nothing.

It would weaken Weldir if he removed his soul-ferrying children, but he would just make more.

Jabez needed to leave Earth and start over in Nyl’theria. He’d need a companion to do that – someone who was his strength and speed, and he their magic and shield.

Jabez needed someone he could trust.

Perhaps I could try with this female Mavka.Now that was an idea.But she’s a long way from being able to reason with.He needed someone intelligent enough to understand instructions.

Or even... what he was saying without a head tilt.

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