Page 25 of Claim My Soul

Chapter Eleven

Herleif caught Alexiabefore she hit the ground, her body trembling yet burning like fire.Her skin was flush and slick with sweat.Nonia altered between crying and howling, but Herleif had no commands, no words to console the wolf-dog.He paid no heed to Fenrir who lay collapsed in a heap, moaning pitifully.

Alexia was his priority.

A quick glance around indicated every soul must have ascended since no apparitions remained.Herleif cradled Alexia in his arms murmuring to her, coaxing her to wake, but she didn’t respond.

“Alexia, my love, you must wake.Only you can get us out of here.You don’t want to remain trapped in this purgatory, or wherever in hell it is, do you?”

He smoothed the damp hair away from her face as she continued to burn.He’d never felt so helpless, not knowing what to do.There was no chance he’d find water in this godforsaken place, was there?

Herleif looked at the cowering beast who seemed to shrivel even more before his eyes.“Tell me how to get out of here!”

Fenrir attempted to laugh but instead produced a horrific cough that brought forth blood and phlegm.“As if ...I’d assist you,” he said, struggling to speak as more coughing overtook him.“You both deserve to rot.”

“I will end you for good!”Herleif roared.Nonia growled and started to approach the beast, but Herleif stopped her.“That scum isn’t worth it,” he sighed, knowing he’d get nothing from the despicable monster.

“Alexia, please, find your strength, it’s there.Return to me,” he pleaded, uncaring how desperate he sounded.Uncaring there was a tremor in his voice.“We’ve only found one another.It can’t end like this.”

“Oh, but it can,” Fenrir groaned low.“And it will.”He managed to giggle like a lunatic.

Herleif’s head snapped up as he retorted with a warrior’s cry.Although he didn’t want to release her, he carefully placed Alexia on the ground before stalking to the wolf.“Your days are over.”He proceeded to take out his aggressions on the foul creature, stomping and pummeling his body until only broken bones within a bloody heap remained.A dark gray mist rose from the pile, dispersing toward the ceiling before it vanished altogether.

Throwing his head back, he bellowed his fury and despair into the void.“If there is a God, hear my words!Bring Alexia back!She deserves her life, with or without me!I’ll pay any price!Ved gudene, spar henne!”By the gods, spare her, he beseeched.

“You know the price.”

Herleif stilled at the disembodied voice he knew.The dream walker.His gut clenched at the memory of all that had been told to him.Details he’d withheld from Alexia.Details he’d hoped wouldn’t come to fruition.

He hung his head as Nonia came beside him, whining as she rubbed her body against his legs, offering her support.Herleif sank his fingers into her coat in a selfish move to soothe himself, knowing the task that lay ahead would gut him.Nonia raised her head to look up at him as if questioning.Or possibly offering help.

Giving her a brisk rub, he withdrew his hand from her soft coat to clench his fist at his side.“Return to your mistress.I’m going to save her and send her back.”Nonia gave another whine then a yip before padding to Alexia and resting at her side.Herleif gazed at the pair, noticing Alexia’s body appeared calm, her color almost returned to normal as if simply resting.Oh, how he longed to lay with her and never leave her.He wished he could experience once again the love Alexia had so willingly given to him.

He turned away before he changed his mind.She deserved to live a life for which she was meant.

When first visited by Fate’s messenger, he was told he’d have to make a difficult choice for those he loved.That his heart would guide him in making the decision.

If there was a sacrifice to be made in order to save Alexia, he’d gladly make it.

“Show me.”

A vision appeared, causing Herleif to bristle, every muscle in his body clenching.His father, Agnar, was shown speaking with a man as money changed hands—money being given to Agnar.Vision after vision flashed before Herleif as his father seemed to conduct business with many, the money beginning to flow both ways.He heard none of the conversations, but with each vision, his father appeared to look younger and younger.

“What the fuck is this?”Herleif murmured.

The next vision was Agnar and Herleif’s mother, Ida, who looked tired and worn down.They were at their home in Denmark and seemed to be arguing, his father becoming so enraged he struck his wife.Ida took the blow without cowering, without shedding a tear.She simply looked at her husband with sadness and disappointment before turning and walking away.

---