Page 112 of To Trap a Soul

Lindi shrugged a shoulder with a rude snort of laughter. “What can a bunch of Demons do to help?”

“But I’m not a Demon, at least not a fully bred one.” He reached a hand out to her like he wanted her to take it or show that he was harmless by offering his palm. “I’m the only one of my kind. He is the only one of his kind, as are you. It’s a lonely existence, one which we can all share.”

All the humour and warmth faded from his face, and replacing it was something Lindi had been struggling with for years. It made his young face look much older and strained. Sorrow and the pangs of isolation, of loneliness. Worse, it seemed genuine, his brows furrowing in a similar way to how hers often did, his lips curled in and tighter, like he had unshed words but there was no one to listen.

Her heart betrayed her, and she softened towards his plight.

She remembered how she’d overheard his companions in the past pressuring him with things he didn’t want to do, and how they said he was different and would struggle.

It didn’t help that he aged slowly and looked to be similar in age to her physically. No one else in the world was like that. No one understood the deathlessness that she was facing, or what it was like to see everything changing as she remained the same.

And, true to his word, he hadn’t hurt her or grabbed her when he had ample time to try.

“I haven’t introduced myself,” he said, his hardened expression shifting to a calmer one, losing its tension as if he was used to wearing it. “My name is Jabez.”

“I thought it was longer,” Lindi muttered, giving him more of her side as she looked at him awkwardly, unsure of what to do now.

Should she flee, as Weldir told her? Or should she stay like her heart told her to? Her curiosity had also become a rather starvedbeast over the years, and she tried to unearth all the mysteries she could to feed it.

His pointed ears dipped back. “I’m guessing Weldir told you my true name, but I prefer not to be called it.”

Although it was the reverse for her, Lindi understood that, as she didn’t want anyone who wasn’t close to her to say her nickname. Not even Weldir knew it. It was for her, and her parents, and her long-dead childhood friends.

“I’m Lindiwe,” she answered, her shoulders losing their tension. She fiddled with one of her feathers as she stood next to the falls, trying her hardest not to look at his face.

It was handsome, and human-looking, which made it easier to forget all the parts of him that were different, like his Demon fangs, eyes, and horns, and his Elvish ears. He didn’t look mean, or even rabid, like the monsters that lurked in the shade.

He didn’t look... evil. He was just a young boy.

“Lindiwe, you should leave,”Weldir said, his deep voice tingling her senses. His words sounded like a suggestion and a command all in one, and that made her want to do the complete opposite.

So when Jabez hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his trousers and turned to look over the Veil, she found her feet rooted to the ground.

“I come here a lot,” Jabez commented, his eyes scanning across the treetops that went for as far as the eye could see. “It’s my favourite place in the Veil. It’s quiet, other than the comforting sound of the waterfall, and there’s never anyone to watch you. That’s part of the reason I was surprised when they told me someone else, something other, comes here.”

“I feel the same way,” she answered in a small voice, letting her gaze fall to where he did.

“It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who seeks an escape in this place.”

He made her jump and gasp when he sprang into action and stormed towards her. Lindi turned incorporeal before he could reach her, but he only went around her and under the falls, where there was a semi-dry section to walk, and moved to the other side.

Curious, Lindi followed while intangible, so her feathers didn’t catch any wetness. On the other side, Jabez climbed slightly higher so he could seat himself on a ledge that was perfect for perching oneself. With one foot planted on the edge so his knee was bent and the other hanging, he watched her from above.

“Well? Are you going to continue to look like a frightened mouse, or are you going to sit and enjoy the view? Stay in your ghostly form, if it makes you feel better.”

“Why do you continue to stay?”

I’m not a frightened mouse!She hunted Demons and occultists with ferociousness, like a mountain cat!

Lindi ignored Weldir and braved turning physical out of spite towards both of them – Weldir because she didn’t want to listen to him, and Jabez for calling her something so weak. Did she trust him? No, but she trusted herself to escape any danger should she need to.

She wasn’t afraid of him, just wisely wary.

She climbed higher and found herself a perch that was a safe enough distance away. She lifted her nose slightly to snub them both.

Weldir produced an unnerving growl that rumbled in her ears, causing her to fist her cloak in worry. Her shoulders lifted nervously, since she was blatantly violating his wishes.

“Fine, Lindiwe. Do as you want.”

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