Page 13 of Claim My Soul

“You can do whatever you choose.You aren’t bound to help these souls.That is, if you believe what you were told.”

Alexia sat up straighter.“You don’t believe me?”

“I did not say that, Alexia.What if you weren’t told the truth?What if this is some elaborate ruse?A trap?”

“For what purpose?”

“That remains to be seen, now, doesn’t it?”

Alexia shook her head as she placed her mug on the table, the tea now cold and bitter.“And why involve both of us?Because I’m sure it does.Nothing like last night happened in the Manhattan club while I’d been there, so I believe you are a factor.”She sat back and pulled the fleece throw off the back of the couch to wrap around herself.“Tell me about Herleif Aganarsson.Please.”

His nose twitched.“There isn’t much to tell.Nothing extraordinary.My family hails from Northern Denmark.I am eighty years of age.”Alexia knew her eyes had widened.“Trolls tend to have a good lifespan.My father, who has lived nearly two hundred years, was involved in salt mining and when that went bust, he made the wild move to bring us to America two decades ago.”

“Versus remaining in Europe?Wasn’t there other work he could have engaged in?”

“Sure, plenty, but my father was impatient and greedy.Not a good combination.”

“Which led to this debt you’re paying off for him.”When his brow rose, Alexia explained.“My uncle knew of this, the reason you’re fighting in the club.He said he was going to see what else he could find out about you as well as Evan Hosten.”

“Evan?”

“The Lycan you fought and...”

“And killed,” he said, hanging his head.

“Herleif, he knew what he was getting into when he stepped into the pit.”She leaned closer, touching his arm.He jumped at the contact before his head snapped up, so their gazes locked.“It was a mercy killing and very commendable.”

He scoffed and shook his head.Alexia began to withdraw her hand but once again, Herleif surprised her with his speed, grasping her hand with his.The hold was gentle, his hand warm.

Did she see vulnerability in his eyes?

Alexia didn’t try to pull away, sensing he needed the contact.“How many do you have in your family?”she asked, wanting to keep him talking.

“Myself, Father, and Mother.”

“No extended family?”

“None.”

His fingers softly caressed hers and the tender action sent shivers through her.Still, she didn’t try to move away from his touch.“Do, ordidyou have a community in Denmark?Other trolls?”

“A few I knew of, no relation, though.My mother tried to form friendships, but my father wanted nothing to do with them.Trolls tend to stick to themselves.My father viewed them as competition.Really, anyone was.As I said, he was greedy.”

Alexia shook her head.“Sad he wouldn’t want that relationship with his own kind.Have you made friends here?”

“Friends?”He laughed.“No.Trolls don’t make friends.”

“Why not?You know—or maybe you don’t—not everyone views theJötnaras unfriendly or unapproachable.They were a significant presence in our history, many mating with gods.”

He grinned.“You think trolls descended from theJötnar?”

“Yes.They were the original giants of the world and revered.Well, by most.Can your family trace their line back generations?Maybe to the days of Odin?”

“Doubtful.I was never told any of that, and it never crossed my mind to ask.Many still believe those tales are merely myth.”

“Pfft, you mean humans.”Alexia waved away that comment.“It is our history, our lineage.Let the humans, or most of them, believe what they will.There is no denying the presence of the paranormal, even if our kind prefer to limit that knowledge.”

“Would you preferour kindmake our presence known and fuck the consequences?”

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