Page 12 of Claim My Soul

She sighed and began.“I’m Alexia Stavros, born thirty years ago on Karpathos, a Greek Island.I’m an empath with the ability to influence others’ mood or feelings.I also guide souls to the afterlife on their destined paths.My mother has the ability, as did her mother, and so on, as did all the women in my family.Apparently, my mother’s line can be traced back to the Goddess, Hecate.”

“Impressive.Do you think that is why the dream walker came to you?Why you’re tasked with this mission?”

“Maybe.Hecate was extremely powerful, but I’m nowhere near her level.”

“Maybe you are and don’t yet realize.”When she remained quiet, he spoke again.“And why are you in New York?”

“My parents—mostly my mother—insisted I experience themodernworld.She felt I was meant for more than my secluded life on Karpathos.My father’s brother, Uncle Nic, works for the SRA, um, the Shifters Relations Agency, and he asked if I’d like to try using my guiding ability on the shifters who fight in the club.”

“Try?Weren’t you already using your skills?You either do it or you don’t.There is notry.”

She chuckled.“Well, yes, you are correct.I suppose Uncle Nic wanted to see how I’d do in that savage environment.I assured him I could handle it.”

“Had you ever been around fighters?Any kind of battle?”

“No,” she scoffed.“Life on the Island was rather peaceful.If someone was ill or near the end of their life, I would stay with them until their death then guide their souls.On the occasions I went to the mainland, I’d never known of any activity like that.”

“And you said last night was your first in the club?”

“Not in that club, as in The Gin Room, but first in that fight club.Uncle Nic had taken me to The Gin Room in Manhattan close to where he lives and introduced me to shifters there.The co-owner is Oba Izem, a lion shifter whose name literally means king lion.He has the fight club set up similarly.I spent a few weeks there guiding souls before going to the Gotham Point club last night.

“Was there another such as you, before you came?”

“Interestingly enough, no, not that I know of.I presume there was a guide on the other side.It isn’t simply left up to—”

“Left up to Fate,” he stated at the same time.“Fickle bitch,” he mumbled.

“She may be, but such is the way of the cosmos.”

He cocked his head and gave Alexia another look.“You believe in that bullshit?”

She gave him a stern look.“It took me some time to come to terms with the thought that all is preordained, and there are still moments when it doesn’t sit well with me, so all I’ll say is life is a series of choices, and those choices lead to where you are supposed to be.”

Herleif snorted before leaning forward to pick up his mug, looking impossibly adorable to Alexia.She tried to stifle her giggle but failed.

“What?”She shook her head, but he persisted.“Do I amuse you?”

“In fact, you do.Now it’s your turn.”

“I’m still stuck on why your uncle, or anyone thought they needed you?What happened to make them decide your skill was needed with your physical presence rather than allowing a guide to do its work on the other side?”

“I was never told of anything happening, some strange occurrence that alerted them to concerns.Doesn’t mean somethingwasn’thappening but he felt it wasn’t pertinent.I’ll have to ask him specifically when he contacts me sometime today.”She took a drink, watching Herleif as he remained quiet.Contemplating.“Do you think it could have anything to do with it being Samhain?”

“When the veil thins, and spirits may be able to cross into this realm,” he said softly.“It’s possible.Did you see other spirits, those who shouldn’t have been here?”

Alexia shook her head.“No, and I’d have been able to see them since I have that ability.Even those who try to mask or veil themselves, I can see them.”She slanted her head.“You do as well,” she stated.

His head snapped up, pinning her with a startled look before quickly calming.“Why do you say that?”

“Pfft, come on, Herleif, don’t play me for a fool.You’re able to see me when I’m veiled.You can touch Nonia when no one should be able to.And she clearly trusts you, allowing you to be near me.You see the spirits leaving the body when no one else in that club can.Or at least, no one that makes it known they can.You have a power.And maybe you never thought it strange otherwise, but it’s an ability most others do not possess.”

“I’ve never known differently, and I learned that, yes, most others do not possess it.I also learned it doesn’t matter.So what if I can see spirits leaving the deceased?It has no bearing on who I am or how I live my life.”

“Fair enough,” she conceded.

He quirked a brow but didn’t respond to the topic.Instead he asked, “How long are you staying in New York?”

“I hadn’t made any decisions, and now with this going on, well, I certainly can’t leave until it’s resolved.”

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