“Is he … asleep?”
“He’s dead,” Suyin said, and they both stared at her.
It was almost comical, the way their bugging eyes jumped between her and Murmur’s body.
“That’s impossible,” Iris said. “The only way to kill a demon is to cut off their head and burn the pieces with hellfire.”
“The only way to kill asoullessdemon,” Suyin corrected.
“What does that mean?”
“A demon with a soul will die if their soul is separated from their body.” She gestured to Murmur. “As evidenced.” To another, her unemotional demeanor might have seemed cold, but that numbness was the only reason she’d made it this far. If she’d allowed so much as a glimmer of despair or grief to break through, she would’ve lost it.
“But—Oh my god.”
“Wait. Murmur has a soul?” Lily whispered.
She nodded.
“And how did he end up … like this?” Iris asked.
“It’s a long story.”
“We’re gonna need an explanation, Su.”
That was fair enough. And honestly, it would be good to get this off her chest. The shit she’d been carrying around for the last couple days was too much for one person to handle alone.
So she took a breath, and she told them everything. Murmur’s death had voided their blood vow, and she found she could talk freely. She even told them how he’d carved the death mark into her skin.
When she finished, the sisters looked like they’d seen a ghost. Or a dead necromancer about to be resurrected.
“Are you sure you want to bring him back?” Iris asked. “I mean … Fuck.”
Suyin knew exactly what she meant. “It’s fucked up what he did, but he also died to avoid killing me. I owe him this at least. When it’s over and he’s alive again, he’ll go back to Hell, and I’ll never see him again. But he sacrificed himself for me. I have to do this.”
“I can understand that,” Lily said, but Iris was still staring at the demon on the floor suspiciously.
“It’s just … I’m not sure I think it’s smart to bring him back,” Iris said. “He’s been causing trouble for Meph and his brothers since we first got mixed up with him.”
“I know you don’t trust him, but I owe him, Ris. It doesn’t matter what he’s done or what he still might do. I have to do this to get a clean slate so I can move on with my life. I’ll never be able to let this go if I don’t.”
“I’m in,” Lily said. “I’ll help you.”
“Lily.” Iris winced. “You’re always so quick to put your faith in people. I just don’t think it’s so simple this time.”
“It is. Yes, Murmur betrayed us, but he also helped us. We never would have been able to rescue Mist from Paimon’s lair if he hadn’t shown up.”
“But—”
“I believe in second chances,” Lily said. “And I also believe in forgiveness.” She gave her sister a pointed look. “I think you of all people should recognize the value of those things.”
There was a weighted silence.
And then Iris sighed. “You’re right, I do understand the value of forgiveness. I don’t like it, but I’m choosing to trust your judgment, Suyin.” She clapped her hands. “So? Where do we start?”
Suyin took a breath. “First, we chant. And then I have to kill a bunch of pigeons.”
FREESPIRIT
