A Soul to Embrace (Duskwalker Brides #8)

Chapter 14

The journey to the edge of the Veil’s canyon had been like most of their walks. Zylah listened as Jabez occasionally paused to show her new flora or an animal she hadn’t seen in person before. He let her deviate their path if she smelt something unusual in the distance, helping to ease how each step brought them closer to the Veil.

For the longest time, Zylah had avoided that shadowy forest due to the dangers. Jabez had been kind enough to explain that he doubted she’d be targeted, like he had some secret information regarding the Demon attacks and why he thought they’d cease. Knowing that calmed her, but it didn’t fully erase her worries.

What if I cannot protect him? He was such a weak being in comparison to her. So slow, even when they merely walked. If something went wrong, she worried she wouldn’t be able to protect him. What if I go into a rage?

What if she ended up being the one to kill him?

He was... smaller than her. Sure, by only three or so inches. Then again, he was much wider and more densely muscled, so perhaps thinking him a smaller creature wasn’t particularly true.

He’s also managed to escape me during a rage before. Bright yellow lifted into her orbs as she thought, He is a very cunning male. Even though he wasn’t as formidable as her, Jabez was agile and very capable of eluding danger.

He’d obviously been in many dangerous situations, to the point he could almost predict what would happen in the future. Would that be considered battle hardened, like in the books she read?

He didn’t like it when she referenced him as weaker. It tended to make him ramble on about how things between them would be different if he still had his magic. She kind of liked that he had this strange quirk of needing to feel big and strong. She wanted to play with him regarding it, but didn’t know if it would be taken poorly.

Her musings came to a halt when the forest cleared away and a massive rip in the earth came into view. Her fur instantly stood on end as a chill crept down her spine. Just being near this place brought on a sense of foreboding and doom, and she itched at her neck in aversion.

They couldn’t even see the other side, and nothing but an expanse of forest lay before them at least a kilometre below. Mist flittered all throughout it, some of it white, some black, and Zylah had this urge to scratch across her bony snout at the pungent odour that came from it.

Jabez calmly sat cross-legged near the edge with his hooded back turned towards the west to shield him from the dusking sun. He greedily drank from his water sack before reaching into his satchel once more. Dusting off a washed carrot, he took a bite, and the leafy end of it reminded her of her tail.

“Okay, half our journey is over,” he commented as he looked out at the massive crack of earth. “However, it’ll now become that much more exhausting.”

She took a seat next to him with her feet out in front of her. “Why do you say that?”

“Because it’s wise to move fast through the outer and middle rings.” His tone was cool and collected, like he was talking about something that mattered little. “How good are you at climbing?”

Zylah cupped her hands to her abdomen and fidgeted with her fingers. “Not very good. My feet slip a lot.”

Just as he was about to take another bite, Jabez paused as his gaze slid to her feet. She wiggled her toes self-consciously, and she didn’t understand why that caused him to cover his face or why his ears drooped.

He cleared his throat as if something clogged it. “Was that in your more monstrous form? Your feet are more... rabbit-like when you are like that. You may have better dexterity with your humanoid feet.”

She tilted her head at that, finding his reassurance calming. “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “Maybe?”

“I’ll find us the best path and I’ll climb below you in case you slip.” He finally bit off another chunk of carrot and crushed it between his sharp fangs while squinting his eyes at the horizon with a pensive expression. Then he swallowed and said, “After that, we’ll likely have to run for most of the night. Little sunlight touches the ground, and now is when most Demons are waking. They will be hungry, and they will be curious.”

“I thought you said we wouldn’t be targeted,” she grumbled, turning her head away in annoyance.

“No, I said you wouldn’t be targeted for being a Mavka. But we have to take into consideration the Demon nature when we’re passing lesser Demons. They eat everything, including each other, and there’s a chance they will hunt for hunting’s sake.” He pointed what remained of his carrot at her. “Once we get to the middle ring, we can briefly rest, but at the first sign of movement, it’s best to get the fuck out of there.”

“What is the difference between these... rings?” He’d briefly mentioned them before but hadn’t truly explained them.

He circled his carrot in front of them as if referencing the Veil. “The outer ring has more of the lesser Demons, meaning they have less humanoid features, are more savage in their hunting, and are dim-witted. The middle ring is where those who are halfway to completing their evolution reside. Lesser Demons enter through it, but they are wary because a medium-sized Demon can tear them to shreds, especially being more intelligent. The inner ring mainly consists of those who have completely evolved or are close to it, and they are dangerous to the others due to the simple fact that they live in groups for ultimate protection. They are far less violent, but they will quickly drive out other Demons to protect the area. When we are there, we will have little to worry about. I would consider them peaceful.”

“How will we know when we’ve reached each ring?”

“You won’t,” he answered plainly. “But I’ve lived within the Veil for over half my life. I can tell when we’ve entered each section. It’s second nature to me.”

Zylah cupped the end of her snout in thought and kept it there as she spoke. “How long will it take us to get to the inner ring... to this person?”

He tipped his head back, looking up at the sky as he let out a hum. “Not sure. For a Mavka, probably a day, but for me...”

“Because you are so slow.”

He growled out a chagrined huff, his eyes flicking to her with a glare. She chittered, her orbs shifting to a bashful reddish pink, yet her chest radiated with humour and tenderness. Her toes scrunched as she giggled at him.

“Yes, because I’m so slow,” he grumbled, eating the last bit of his carrot with his eyes slitting further. “It’ll likely take me twice as long. If I still had my magic, I could easily teleport us there. It was a rather advantageous ability.”

He propped his elbow on his knee and shoved his chin into his palm. Then he stuck his bottom lip forward.

“What does this mean?” she asked, pointing towards his lips.

“I’m pouting.” He quickly fixed it and they flattened. “Never mind. I would suggest that you turn into your monstrous form once we reach the bottom of the cliff wall. You’ll be able to better protect yourself.”

“What about you?”

His lips curled into what she could only consider a devious grin. “You don’t need to worry about me. With or without my magic, a lesser or medium Demon wouldn’t stand a chance against me. I’ve trained my body my entire adult life, knowing that my magic can easily deplete. Only a fool would solely rest their capabilities on magic alone.”

Jabez then ate a little more food and took a last drink, readying himself to be unable to do either for quite some time. She followed his lead when he stood.

“Alright,” he stated, with his shoulders rolling back. He tilted his head right and then left until a crack sounded. “Let’s get this over with.”

Making sure both his hands had a good, steady grip, Jabez carefully leveraged the toes of his left foot onto a lower ledge of stone. He peeked downwards, noting how far he’d climbed down the Veil’s canyon wall. They were making good time.

A small rock smacked his left horn, and he turned his gaze towards the night sky. Jabez instantly regretted it. His ears darted back as warmth flooded them and his cheeks, and he quickly averted his gaze to the side.

Fuck. I shouldn’t have chosen to climb beneath her. But it was safest for her, as he could quickly grab her should she need saving.

The issue was: every time he looked up to check on her, he was gifted with a rather tantalising view – which was a bad fucking thing. He’d never thought about giving her some kind of underwear because it was a foreign concept to him. Currently his cock and balls dangled freely in his pants, as was normal for most Demons and Elves.

With her thighs spread in order to have the best leverage, whatever pussy she had was, thankfully, hidden by a closed slit and fur. But her arse was plump, on show, and her damn fluffy tail kept the back of her short dress up, so the garment was basically fucking pointless.

Disgruntled at the way his groin tingled despite the perilous situation he was in, Jabez softly growled. Then he shifted his left hand to a lower ledge.

Ever since he’d held that female while she smelt like a divine plate of sensuality, and had all her warm curves in his arms, his stupid brain kept zeroing in on her femininity. Her tail, the dip of her hourglass figure, and her thick thighs and round arse cheeks. Even her little grey toe beans kept stealing his attention. He’d even begun staring at her alluring skull a little more deeply, and her orb shifts were starting to affect his thoughts. Her dainty little antlers hadn’t gone unnoticed, as they would be good things to tug on since she lacked hair to pull.

The hell is wrong with me? He grumbled to himself as he kicked his right foot lower. He tried to think on why he was having such deeply perverse thoughts about this female. Is it because it’s been so long since I came?

Surely that had to be the cause. What has it been? Two years? Something like that. Then again, the idea of fucking his fist, or even another person, after the death of his female companion of nearly two centuries had made him rather disinterested in pleasure.

It was like his body had gone as numb as his heart had already been.

So why the fuck did his fucking heart stutter at Zylah out of the damn blue? Sure, she was cute, but that shouldn’t be enough.

Yet every time she kicked her feet whenever she read something exciting in one of her books... it always warmed his face – especially as he’d obtained the tomes for her. Whenever she was nervous around him or about herself, he couldn’t help finding her fidgeting endearing. She was... soft, both in heart and body, and he was now bothered that he knew about the latter.

She’s a damn Mavka. Her species wasn’t the problem, per se, but the history he shared with them was. Our relationship can go no further than what it currently is.

Too much was at risk otherwise.

He also didn’t... need a female. He was perfectly fine as he was, being alone and spiteful, like the terrible force he was upon the world. He wouldn’t mind some help with his plans, though.

Just as both his feet found a perfect ledge to rest upon for a moment, a loud shift of rock twitched his ears. Then a squeal from above rushed towards him. His nose crinkled in strain as he looked up and readied himself. Just as Zylah was falling, he maintained his grip on the wall with his left hand and managed to grab her elbow with his right.

He caught her drop, and it shunted him downwards. Jabez let out a hiss when it felt like grabbing her had almost torn his arm from his shoulder joint. All the muscles in his arm were on fire, and he grunted at the pull of her weighing him down.

Damnit. She’s so damn heavy. Mavka were such dense creatures.

He dug his fingers into the rock for better purchase, his fangs bared in pain, while Zylah swung beneath him, emitting squealing chitters. With a quiet roar, he yanked her heavy weight up and pivoted her towards the wall until her feet could get purchase on the same thin ledge of rock he stood upon. Whines echoed from her as she held on with trembling arms, her orbs white with tears floating around them.

“I cannot do this,” she whimpered, shifting her feet before gasping when one slipped.

He came closer and placed his right arm around her waist. He steadied her and let her feel secure, like he was a cage for her against the wall. “We’re over halfway.”

She hugged the rock, but eased a little at his embrace. “I-I’m scared. ”

Jabez peeked downwards to see they had at least four hundred metres left to descend.

To be fair, she had every right to be frightened. What they were doing was a daunting task, even for him. They both knew a fall from this height wouldn’t kill her, although it was questionable as to whether or not he’d survive it. He doubted she’d be able to heal him through such a horrific landing.

He brought his gaze back to her and gave her his best sympathetic smile.

“You’ve got this. You’ve done amazing so far.”

When she’d managed to calm down enough, he insisted they continue. Once more, he climbed down below her, and she mostly followed his path as she had been before.

A strand of his hair landed in front of his eyes, but he ignored it. He’d been wise enough to tie his hair back into a ponytail before they’d started travelling. The strip of cloth keeping it bound had loosened and currently needed tightening, as it had many times.

Once they were only a few metres from the ground, Jabez jumped, then waved his hands for her to do so as well. She took the opportunity to get away from the wall, and he stepped out of her way so she could land on her feet with ease. He steadied her when she looked unsure, and her knees wobbled before she just gave in and knelt.

She shook her head. “Never again,” she cutely whined. “I don’t want to do that again.”

Feeling pity for her, Jabez knelt on one knee and placed a hand between her antlers. He wasn’t used to this – comforting another – but he found it remarkably easy to do it for her.

He gave a singular stroke down her skull. “We shouldn’t need to do that again. I know the Veil better than I know the surface. If we ever need to climb up the wall, I’ll find a safer path.”

It’d just been so long since he’d personally needed to climb the cliff, as he usually teleported whenever he wanted. Next time, he’d make sure it was easier.

When she nodded, Jabez stood and faced the Veil’s mist-shrouded forest. He often wondered how others perceived it. I’ve always found the mist of the Veil rather tranquil. It made hiding easier, and the thick dampness of it helped tamp down smells, especially the unpleasant, sickly aroma Weldir’s black mist created.

He imagined for humans it was frightening and made it appear haunted.

Since he’d shoved his hood off the moment the sun had faded, he reached back to tighten the strap of cloth tied around the base of his high ponytail. Then he flicked the hood forward to hide his identity from those who might see his face from afar.

Lesser Demons wouldn’t likely have come into close contact with his scent, and if they had, they wouldn’t remember it.

Noticing Zylah still slumped on the ground, he offered his hand out to her. “Ready? We need to leave.”

She jerked at his offered palm, then her orbs shifted to a telling bright yellow. She likes it when I reach out to her like this. She willingly took it, and he helped pull her to her feet.

Then, as he’d instructed earlier, she morphed into her more monstrous form.

Once more, he regretted his choices when her clothing sunk beneath her fur and flesh. Suddenly he had a very naked female beside him, and the fact she’d taken on a more rabbit-dog mix in posture didn’t diminish his opinion of her.

He metaphorically face-palmed himself, and then leapt into a fast-paced sprint. Zylah quickly caught up and then matched his speed with ease.

The moment they entered the forest, darkness descended upon them. He had no issue seeing through it, and he doubted Zylah did either. The white mist was thickly layered, being winter, but no frost or snow ever stuck within the Veil. It frolicked between the trees, only to be overshadowed by the black mist he knew belonged to Weldir – an annoying reminder that he was always there, touching and feeling, but not truly present.

Are you watching us? You damn creep. Had every action or word since Jabez’s ‘fall’ been watched? No, he didn’t think so, considering Zylah’s parents hadn’t known he was alive. What about since then, though? That’s if he could see beyond his own mist, which was only present in the Veil.

The nape of his neck prickled in alertness, but he wasn’t sure if that was because they were being watched or because he was just paranoid.

At least the environment was warmer, and he would have basked in that if it wasn’t for the danger surrounding them.

All around them, tree branches scraped against each other in the intermittent harsh breeze. The area was eerie, although that didn’t bother him in the least, but it did make it hard to tell the movement of creatures apart from the gusts of wind. The forest itself was gnarly with many twisted roots, reaching branches, and tight spaces to jump through.

He’d lived in it for so long that these things were normal to him.

The air in the Veil was dewy, and moss lined almost every tree trunk they passed. Despite the darkness of it, it was vibrant with subtle, healthy flora, and he was able to breathe in that life with familiar fondness.

The ground dipped and waved with small hills, short drops, and an occasional river they needed to leap across. The terrain eased the further they ran, and after some hours had passed, the world began to open up as the trees incrementally became larger.

Occasionally a Demon ran near them, its footsteps heavy and fast, but each one backed off. The smell of a Mavka and a Demon travelling together instilled enough doubt in their would-be attackers. That, or they were just too slow and couldn’t keep up.

Not all were that wise, and one eventually chased them from behind. Jabez considered ignoring it until he realised it was running on all fours by its double thumps of pawsteps. He also heard the propelling aid of wings flapping, which gave it additional speed that not even he could combat. It would catch up to them eventually.

Hopefully it’ll grow tired or get bored of chasing us.

It didn’t.

When it was close to being on their heels, and Zylah shone reddened orbs at him, he knew he had to intervene before it was too late.

“Keep going,” he stated as he slowed his steps. “Stay out of the way.”

“No,” she replied with a growl, her voice deeper and grainy in her monstrous form. “I am stronger. I can–”

“Do as I say!” he snapped, baring his fangs at her with a glare. His senses on high alert like this caused his irritation to strike quicker. “You want to keep me safe? Stay out of the way and don’t go into a rage. That’s what you can do to help.”

She chittered nervously and her orbs flashed white in unease. With a curt whine, she nodded before darting out of the direct vicinity, revealing the speed she’d been holding back.

Frothing pants and cackling came up quickly from behind, and he turned to meet the Demon head-on. Running on all fours with a doggish form, two small bird-like wings flapped behind it. A long tail was stuck up, and it danced behind a semi-humanoid face that was alight with excitement. White foam bubbled from its lips, while sharp fangs gleamed in the intermittent fractures of dappled moonlight. Its entire body was black like a glossy void, proving just how far it was from completion, as it lacked any human flesh.

Even though Jabez had stopped, its mind was so useless that it didn’t even sense the hostility it was sprinting towards. It licked at its maw and cackled as it leapt for him. With claws at the ready, aiming straight for his chest, it flew through the air with its wings flapping to keep its momentum.

Jabez timed his defence perfectly. He stepped to the side and brought his bent leg up at the same time.

With the speed at which it’d been coming for him, and the power of his attack, his knee landing straight into its gut made it fold in on itself. A disgusting choke came from it, as spittle sprayed from its mouth while its wings kinked in agony. Jabez lowered his leg when it crumbled to the ground in an abrupt stop.

Indifferent to the battle he’d foreseen being easy and predictable, he came behind its wheezing form and stepped upon its back. Wings flapped on either side of his body as it rent out a strangled hiss from the pressure of his weight, and he reached down to grab either side of its head. He twisted its neck with a satisfying crack, and it became limp and loose.

Just to make sure it was dead, he knelt on it and twisted its head the other way. Its vertebrae sounded like a wet crunch of bones, and he took that as his opportunity to descend. Lips parted, Jabez sunk his fangs into the crook of its neck and drank from it while it was still warm.

He took enough to partially fill his belly and grimaced in disgust when he just couldn’t bear to swallow the last mouthful. The taste on his tongue was unwelcome. He spat it to the side before rolling up his sleeve and wiping his forearm across his mouth.

Giving the Demon’s blood time to settle in his gut, he walked over to Zylah. He licked at the inside of his mouth as the putrid taste lingered.

“Alright. Let’s keep going,” he told her, and broke into a run without further warning.

Staying in one spot would only lead more Demons to them.

For a short while, silence lingered between them as he listened to their surroundings. All had gone somewhat quiet. Then again, what made the Veil so eerie, even to him, was the lack of animals and insects present.

There was very little life to be found outside of those with sharp fangs, claws, and murderous tendencies.

“Why...” Zylah started, breaking the silence. “Why did you eat that Demon?”

“I didn’t eat it,” he argued, narrowing his gaze at the rushing forest before him. “I just drank some of its blood.”

“But why?”

Their path became steady enough that he could glance at her from the corner of his eye. Her orbs were teal, revealing nothing. He returned to watching his footing.

“I haven’t eaten any meat in a few days. I can only go so long without doing so – it’s a curse of my Elven-Demon nature. I prefer not to eat the flesh of humans, Demons, or even Elves anymore, but settling my stomach with blood takes away the worst of the sickness I feel when I go too long without it. Doesn’t matter what it comes from, nor how much disgust I feel regarding the taste or action.”

Then, as if to prove how much stronger he was from doing so, he increased their pace. Zylah easily kept up with him, and she once more went quiet.

They passed through an invisible threshold and into the middle ring of the Veil’s gloomy forest.

Not much further. Perhaps another day of running, if not a little less.