Page 20 of Claim My Soul

“Like ensuring I rested,” Alexia said.Herleif only nodded.“I too can influence most.But not you.I had to zap you to get my point across.”

They chuckled together for a moment until Alexia realized her uncle was staring again.She looped an arm around one of Herleif’s.“You may have surmised, Herleif and I are very comfortable with one another.In fact,” she glanced at Herleif before facing her uncle again, “we are lovers.”She felt the subtle tensing of Herleif but gave him a reassuring squeeze.

“Oh, I see.”His gaze toggled between the two.“That was quick.”

Alexia smiled up at Herleif and whispered, “It was Fate.”She winked, receiving an endearing smile from her troll.Her heart fluttered at the thought and at the feeling of rightness.

“Well then,” her uncle started, “what’s your plan?”

“We go to the fights,” Alexia said.“And we go now.We need to get a sense of any unease or the presence of this soul collector.If need be, as I said, I will follow a soul and see where, or to whom, it leads.”

“I do not like this,” Herleif stated.When Alexia started to protest, he held up a hand.“I realize this is your journey and you are fully capable, but something feels off.And don’t ask me to expand because I cannot.It’s just a feeling.”

“Then we will be vigilant, and we will stay together.”

“Are you able to call upon Nonia anywhere, anytime?”Herleif asked.

“I can.She’s never failed me.”

He nodded and stood, holding out his hand for her.“Then we go.”

Chapter Nine

Herleif walked intoThe Gin Room with a churning in his gut.More than a niggling that something about this entire situation wasn’t what it appeared to be.He wished he knew why, wished he could find a reason for the feeling, but nothing coalesced in his mind.Lately he’d been troubled in sleep, restless with dreams, but again, nothing remained in his memories.Nothing other than the recent visit from Fate’s messenger, and that had been troubling enough.

Not wanting to burden Alexia with his concerns, he kept it to himself, allowing her to concentrate on what she needed to do.

Herleif felt an instant calm as a warmth started in his hand, spread up his arm, and over his torso.He looked down at Alexia, knowing she was trying to soothe him.He also saw the questions in her eyes and a tight smile on her otherwise beautiful face.

“What is it?What’s wrong?”

He stopped short when he heard her voice in his head.

“You heard me?”

He gave a brisk nod before leading them to a darkened corner.“How are you doing that?”

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