Page 6 of A Soul to Embrace

Now that they were no longer in her burrow, his eyesight improved immensely. He examined the shape of her skull further.

It was Jabez’s turn to tilt his head. “I feel as though I’ve... met you.”

Yet, without a doubt, he didn’t know this adult Mavka. He’d memorised all their skull and horn variations.She has a rabbit skull, but antlers like the fox Mavka.Although her antlers were smaller in comparison.

His gaze slipped down her body while she crouched before him on all fours. He noted how almost every bone in her body was visible, and how gaunt and hollow her stomach was. Jabez guessed he could wrap both his hands around her waist and his fingertips would touch.

By the length of her foot arches, she had predominantly rabbit features, and even had a fluffy bunny tail to go with it.

The hollows of her cheekbones lacked skin, which meant the inside of her mouth was exposed. He figured when she grew, that would alter, as would much of her body. He saw no breasts currently on her humanoid torso, but he figured that, too, would change.

I believe I met Merikh not long after this stage.He palmed his face.Fuck. Reasoning with her to let me leave will beimpossible.He dragged his hand down his face in irritation and covered his mouth.Until then, I guess I’m at her mercy.

Killing her would only be suicide, as she’d dominate him in strength within seconds. He could attempt it by crushing her skull, but without the aid of his magic, he was barely any stronger than a full-blooded Elf.

Running would only excite her hunger and desire to chase prey until she ripped it in half and consumed it.

He noted the mud stuffed into her nose hole and cocked an eyebrow at that.She’s smart enough to know how to hide from the scent of fear and blood, though.That was surprising, all things considered.

Jabez rolled his eyes before waving for her to follow.

“Alright, Mavka, let’s go eat. I’ll hunt, take what I need, and you can have the rest.”

Every scrap of meat he tossed at her would strengthen her, but he’d have to share if he wanted food.

When she tried to grab him, Jabez evaded and grabbed her forearm instead. She let out a distressed chitter whenhepulledheralong, her steps sluggish and mismatched as if she kept stumbling.

I must be smart if I want to live.Because Jabez had one ultimate goal in life, and it was tosurvive.

As he moved in search of prey to hunt, he swiped up his pants with his free hand, then temporarily let her go. Despite the disgusting, although dried, state of them, he donned them with the intention of finding the closest river in which to bathe them and himself.

The mauve pants were baggy around his thighs, with a flap of material that could be tied to reveal his clothed legs or left loose to give the impression he was wearing a skirt. One side loosely fluttered around his knee from being torn when he severed his own leg, while the other side hugged his calf.

He wasn’t pleased that this was all he had to wear. Having a curious Mavka nearby was alarming, and his trust in her non-existent.

It’s also cold.

Although his bodyhadadjusted, somewhat, to the seasons of Earth, it was late autumn. Already it was too cool, and that would only worsen as winter came.

I’ll have to discover if we’re in the north or south of Austrális, as the north becomes a winter wonderland.He’d also need to know where he was in the world to plan an exit strategy.

Or just a plan in general.

As Jabez walked, while dragging the Mavka along so she followed his will and not the other way around, he looked up at the canopy of gold, yellow, and orange leaves above. Stars glittered, while a waxing moon brightened everything in its near fullness.

A sense of disquiet fell over him.A plan, huh? What the fuck do I do now?

Everything he’d been scheming, all his wants, desires, and actions, had come crashing down upon him. Violently.Everyone will think I’m dead.His options were limited.

Sure, he could come back with a flare of arrogant over-confidence, flaunting his survival, but what for?I knew this was a losing battle the day I approached Merikh.That had been almost six months ago.

Jabez had known, for quite some time, that everything he’d been doing was pointless. However, he had his reasons for continuing the charade of war. There were vile things he couldn’t undo, stances he couldn’t back out of without repercussions. Then, there were promises that, if broken, would cause a revolt – against him.

He chuckled up at the leaves.You were all following the spiteful desires of a young boy.A teenager who had beenwronged by everyone – by the Elves, the humans, the Anzúli, and even the Demons.

The desires and schemes he’d unwittingly trapped himself in all throughout adulthood.

Ah, the things I have done just to live are rather sickening.

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