Page 84 of A Soul to Embrace

“I’m bigger than you, stronger than you, and faster than you!” Zylah shouted back. “Why is the Veil safe for you but not me?”

“Because I have hundreds of years ofexperiencenavigating it, fighting in it,livingin it.”

Zylah gave him her shoulder. “You told me other Mavka live within the Veil. That means we are just fine doing so.”

“Yes, under wards! They are wary of the Demons, just as you should be. What you’re doing is foolish.”

Surprised that he was still shouting and truly seemed to be concerned for her wellbeing, some of her anger deflated. She didn’t want him furious with her, nor worried; she’d actually thought he’d wear his lying face until she left. She wasn’t trying to win anything and had thought this would be a suitable solution.

I’m used to being by myself.

Sure, she valued Jabez’s company so deeply it ached in her chest, but she could leave him alone for now, if that was what he desired. She understood wanting space, as she’d asked for it herself not even a few days ago. If anything, she’d likely find a tree to sit under and read until she forgot why she was upset in the first place.

Suddenly her bag, filled with only books, felt so comforting.

As much as Fayren had changed her opinion on the matter, overhearing their earlier argument meant Zylah knew the little Demon was only doing so for her sake. Fayren was right. Her home was small, and she hadn’t realised taking her bed for afew hours would be such a bad thing – despite the little Demon pushing her to do so.

Zylah lowered her voice while attempting to keep her sadness from her words. “I won’t remain somewhere I’m unwanted.” She turned to Fayren and wished she had the capabilities to smile at her like she’d often done. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home, and for being kind in teaching me so much. I appreciate it more than you know.”

With that, Zylah walked around them and towards the forest. She headed in the opposite direction they’d travelled, summarising that would take her deeper within the Veil to where it would be safer. She didn’t wish to head towards the middle ring of the Veil, and absolutely not the outer ring where they’d been chased.

“See what you’ve fucking done?!” Jabez shouted, his voice so loud it carried over the small distance. “I ask for you to keep her safe here, and now she thinks neither one of us wants her presence!”

Zylah’s shoulders hunched self-consciously, but she continued on. She really didn’t know why he was so concerned.I will be fine.She’d survived for a long while before she met him.A-a few days is not long.Not truly.

“I’m not the one who was planning on leaving her with a stranger!”

Ignoring their bickering, Zylah opened her satchel so she could reach into it. She pulled out one of the books Jabez had obtained for her that she hadn’t managed to read yet.Hopefully this does not have difficult words in it.She’d foolishly left her dictionary behind.

Maybe I can find somewhere not far from Fayren’s.She could return to visit if he took too long.

Footsteps crunching behind her stopped her from opening the book as a way to distract herself from how she’d been feeling.They approached so quickly she only managed to turn around just in time to greet who was approaching her.

With his features twisted up into a feral snarl – his lips were pulled back to reveal his sharp fangs and his nose was bunched – he grabbed her wrist. Zylah stumbled, her feet hopping, when she was yanked to the right as Jabez took her in another direction – which wasn’t Fayren’s home.

“What are you–” Zylah started.

“I won’t have you wandering the Veil on your own,” he growled harshly, cutting her off. “I brought you here, and I won’t abandon you in it.”

“Then where are you taking me?” she asked, struggling to right her footing and keep ahold of her book.

All she could see was the back of his cloak and the way the grey fur around its shoulders fluttered. “To Spiral Haven.”

“But you said–”

“I know what I fucking said!” he roared, his grip on her tightening. “However, if you won’t remain at Fayren’s, then I have no other choice but to bring you.”

Zylah twisted and yanked her arm from him, then stopped when she was freed. “I will be fine, Jabez. If this is something you need to do on your own, then so be it.”

Jabez turned just enough to give her his side profile and stabbed the pads of his fingers into his closed eyes.

“I’m unused to people not heeding my demands, Zylah,” he rumbled darkly, and the depth, the quietness, the sheer anger in it, was unnerving. “I’m very,veryangry right now, and I’m feeling very manipulated by two females.”

“I’m not trying to manipulate you,” she muttered defensively and clutched her book tightly, disappointed he would think so.

“Whether it be purposeful or an accident, I’ve been given no other choice but to disregard my own wants for others.” He removed his fingers to give her a haunting glare from the cornerof his eyes. “To ensure your safety, you will accompany me to Spiral Haven. If you try to force me to follow you through this forest on your whim instead, preventing me from this task, then I will see it as an act of petty defiance. If so, I will take my protection and care as unwanted and rescind it.”

With her orbs shifting to deep blue, she brought her hands to her chest anxiously. “What does that mean?”

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