Page 245 of A Soul to Embrace

His gaze drifted over the multiple people between himself and Merikh.Well, I’m not walking through that.As much as excessively using his magic was beginning to weigh on him because these Mavka were damnheavy, he dipped his head in their direction. Zylah nodded at his silent question, and he teleported her with him to Merikh’s side.

Standing in the shade of a tree with Raewyn, Jabez balanced on the balls of his feet as he crouched down to the little demonling who held her mother’s hand. He placed his palm on top of her white hair, and she giggled as he patted it while giving her a sun barrier.

“Alright, come here,” he said in Nyl’kira so she understood, stepping back further into the sunlight while still crouched.

She shook her head and pressed herself against Raewyn’s leg.

“It’s alright, Lehnenia,” he reassured, wiggling his hands in the sunlight. “See? I’m perfectly fine.”

She fisted her light-orange dress with her other hand as tears brimmed in her eyes. “But I don’t want to burn. It hurts.”

“You won’t. Remember, I’m all-powerful and magnificent.” He gave her a wink, and her full lips pouted in cute distrust.

“It’s okay, sweetie,” Raewyn said, pulling their connected arms forward without actually forcing the demonling. “You won’t get hurt.”

She lifted her big, round red eyes up to the woman. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

Lehnenia flicked her eyes down to Jabez’s awaiting palms and tentatively reached out. She withdrew her hands the moment sunlight touched them, only to bring them right back when she wasn’t burned by it. She stepped forward, braving the light, and giggled when it didn’t hurt. She ran for him and held his biceps before looking up.

The moment she began to squint, he had to quickly cover her eyes. “Don’t look directly into the sun. I can protect your skin from burning, but the light will mess with your eyes.”

“Okie,” she said, lowering her head.

Now that his task was completed, Jabez stood and faced Zylah, only to notice those behind her. He paused at the multiple people who had witnessed the interaction. He had no idea why his cheeks and ears heated in embarrassment, but he averted his gaze to the side when they all looked...shockedthat he could be caring towards another.

Jabez was aware he was the most monstrous thing here, despite his handsome features. He’d long ago accepted that truth about himself.

For fuck’s sake. She’s a child.They were assuming the worst in him.

“You ready to collect the last piece?” Jabez asked Merikh, wanting away from these people.

The big, burly Mavka was quick to look away. “Yes.”

At least this one shouldn’t know me.

This wouldn’t be a battle Jabez would have to face, but an emotional one Merikh would have to deal with on his own. Especially as Jabez doubted he’d lean on him for support.

Whatever. I’ll be there for him if he needs it.

That’s what afriendwas supposed to do, right?

Although Zylah had allowed Reia and Mayumi to corner Jabez how they did, she felt entirely different after seeing it.

She grumbled as she moved closer to Raewyn, seeking to calm herself by being at the familiar female’s side. She watched the four newcomers greet those they already knew, and they were all accepted into the fold without hesitation.

Two of them look... familiar.

At least, the little human’s red hair looked familiar, and she did remember meeting the raven-skulled Mavka briefly. However, her memory of that time was really foggy, as it was before Jabez helped her gain so much humanity.

She eyed the only male human, who wore a large grin on his face as he patted Orpheus’ back.

After leaving for a short while, both Reia and Orpheus had returned wearing different clothing. Orpheus now wore a black button-up shirt with matching pants and boots, while Reia wore a light-blue dress with some kind of wide brown belt thing.

Even Delora had changed, and she wore a grey dress similar to Reia’s, and had donned a pair of black flats on her feet. Magnar wore pants and a shirt, but the shoes he wore were similar to the ones Jabez had procured for her.

His five toes looked like hooves, and she bet they’d be uncomfortable in a pair of boots.

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