Page 2 of Claim My Soul

Herleif hung his head, letting his hands drop as he took a deep breath.For a brief moment, he tuned out the roar of the crowd and their gleeful delight over another kill, sending up a prayer for the shifter.He wasn’t especially proud that he’d ended the lives of many over the years, and now he grew weary of it all, eager to leave this servitude in two months.Or less.

Gaining his feet, he threw his head back, releasing a bellow that rocked the room.The crowd roared, obviously thrilled with the battle, mistaking Herleif’s grief for pride in his triumph.When he lowered his head, he met the gaze of emerald eyes filled with sorrow.A woman stood among the crowd in partial shadows, but her form was impossible to miss.

He’d never seen her before and briefly wondered who she was.Suddenly her eyes flared with a golden light, startling him with its intensity.But when another light caught Herleif’s attention, he knew what he would see, as he’d seen it every time he ended a life.Looking down upon the man, a luminescent mist began rising from the body.It contained pinpoints of light, like a swarm of fireflies, and when he followed its path, it began to weave through the crowd.Herleif never knew if others ever saw it, or if they didn’t care, because their focus always turned to the next shifters approaching the pit.

With a burst of speedhe’dnever seen before, the light shot straight for the woman.Herleif jerked, ready to shout a warning, but she simply absorbed the light, appearing unaffected.Then she blinked and tears from her green eyes tracked down her rounded cheeks.

What the hell?

Herleif made a move in her direction, but the sea of bodies swallowed her like a ship lost to a storm.

Chapter Two

Alexia Stavros pulledthe hood of her coat over her head, fading into the background.She carefully yet quickly worked her way toward the stairs and when clear of everyone, used her magic to veil herself.

Tonight had been her first time in the fight club, and after being briefed, she thought she’d known what to expect.It certainly hadn’t been to absorb the energy of the fallen shifter.Her purpose was to guide the souls to the afterlife, which she’d done countless times before.Well, before coming here.And she had been successful with the Lycan.But never before tonight had she felt a life force flow through her with such intensity before ascending.

Why had tonight been different?

And then to have the troll focus on her.Herleif.Had he been a factor?

There was no mistaking he had seen what arose from the Lycan.Had the others?It hadn’t appeared so.Only Herleif had followed the spirit as it wound its way toward her while everyone else carried on as if nothing unusual were happening.For a fleeting moment, he had looked panicked, fearing something awful would happen to her.And when it was over, he had looked ...astonished.

Alexia’s thoughts were interrupted by a deep shout.Heavy footfalls rattled the steps she’d begun to climb.Although still invisible, she didn’t dare look behind her.Instead, she rushed up the remaining stairs and darted into a secret room she’d been shown when given a tour of the club.Darkness swallowed her as she carefully listened for any indication Herleif was trailing her.

Muffled voices and rushed footsteps made their way to her, but she wasn’t discovered while tucked away.Even after it grew quiet, she continued to wait while her thoughts pondered what she’d been told regarding The Gin Room.

Not all were in agreement that the fight club should operate as it did or even at all.But it had been this way for nearly a century and didn’t seem likely to change.Fighters had the choice of surrender or death.Some chose a fight to the death.Whether it was due to their brazenness, thinking they couldn’t lose, or possibly out of desperation, not wanting to continue in this life, she couldn’t say nor judge.Either way, the reward was great.For those who perished, a portion was paid to a person of their choosing, typically a family member.

She wondered about Herleif and his reason for fighting.For enjoyment?A release of his aggression?And how often did he compete?

From his impressive strength to surprising agility, Alexia could admit he’d been magnificent.His movements were fluid despite his size, and to watch his muscles flex with his competent display ...she felt herself blushing just thinking about the performance.His show of mercy had been commendable.His remorse tender.The crowd hadn’t keyed in on that, but she certainly had.

Noise outside the door brought Alexia’s attention back to her predicament.If Herleif had tried to locate her, she hoped she’d waited long enough that he’d given up or moved on.He didn’t strike her as one to easily abandon a task, but she couldn’t stay here all night.

Easing open the door, she listened for voices or movement.When nothing seemed amiss, she removed her cloak of magic and slid into the corridor.Remaining vigilant, she skirted the dance floor, winding her way around tables and toward the exit.A few steps from the door, her path was blocked, and when she looked up, it was her uncle, Nic Stavros.He placed a hand on her arm and gently guided her toward the back where a table awaited with food and drink.She’d forgotten he requested to meet with her after she was done below.Without needing to be told, she took a seat as he did the same.

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