Page 26 of Claim My Soul

Herleif fisted his hands and clenched his teeth until his jaw throbbed.“Why am I being shown this?What does this have to do with Alexia?”

“A choice must be made.”

“What choice?”he yelled.

Suddenly, Herleif saw another figure with his father, a man who looked like a younger version of Evan Hosten, the Lycan who died at the hands of Herleif in the pit.

“What are you about, Father?”

The scene became clearer, and Herleif recognized the waterfront area beyond the Gotham Point Gin Room.

“How...”Herleif quieted when he was able to hear the conversation this time.

“Find the shifters, especially the Lycan,” Hosten said, handing Agnar a giant wad of money.“Entice them to fight with the promise of an even greater reward.Send them to the Manhattan or Gotham Point clubs.”He nodded his head in the direction of the nearby club where Herleif had been fighting.

“Just be sure you don’t forget aboutmyreward,” Agnar said as he pocketed the cash.

“Oh, not to worry.This won’t go unnoticed.”Hosten smirked.

Agnar simply snorted before turning away.He shifted into human form and took to the streets.Hosten remained in the shadows until a few moments later, a figure materialized, similar to how Herleif viewed Alexia when veiled.

Fenrir.

Herleif growled as he listened to more conversation.

“He is doing my bidding?”the beast asked.

“Of course, the greedy bastard,” Hosten replied.

“And what of Alexia?You’ve seen her?”

“Yes, she’s toured the clubs and is expected at the Gotham Point fight club tomorrow.I take it her power is immense?”

Fenrir cackled.“Oh, you have no idea.I’ve watched her lineage for generations, and she is the strongest of all.She will serve me well.No longer will I have to wait until Samhain, until the veils thins.Soon I’ll be able to traverse the realms as I please.”He then stared at Hosten.“Continue your work and remain elusive.”

The young Lycan nodded.“Will do.”He walked away without a backward glance.

“Soon, my beauty, you will be mine and the world will be ours.”Fenrir’s image shimmered before disappearing altogether.

Herleif vibrated with rage, digging his claws into his palms until he bled.Obviously, this meeting occurred two nights ago and no doubt Agnar remained in the city.And of course, he wasn’t going to chance getting in touch with his own son and possibly ruin his mission for the unholy beast.The beast his father had no idea no longer lived.

“Father!” he roared.“You traitorous fool!”

“He has let his greed consume him, becoming a contributor to this imbalance.You have defeated the beast, but unfortunately your father is due a penalty.”

“He’s due more than that,” Herleif grumbled.“What must I do?”Herleif questioned, already knowing in his gut the choice he would be faced with.“And what of Hosten?He betrayed his own father, did he not?”

“He did and his kind have already dealt with him.Now it is time for you to deal with your father.”

“And how will that save Alexia?”Herleif received no answer as the wind suddenly stirred in the stifling cavern as air rushed about, lifting Herleif’s hair.A pop echoed before Agnar appeared, standing ten feet from his son.He spun, looking around in confusion before facing Herleif again, his eyes widening.

“How did I get here?What have you done?”He spotted the mangled pile of what was once Fenrir, blood seeping into the cracks of the rocky floor.“What is that?”

“That is the beast you conspired with.The one who fed your greed, never intending to do more for you, other than drain your soul.”

“What do you mean?I never conspired with a beast.I—” Agnar clamped his mouth shut, scowling.

“Say it, Father.Tell me how you were brought back to the States.Tell me how you were given funds after funds to not only entice shifters to fight, but to also pad your greedy pockets.”

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