Page 27 of Claim My Soul

Agnar’s eyes widened for a split second before narrowing.“How do you know of this?”

With each passing moment, Agnar began to revert to his aged form, losing whatever vitality he was spelled with.Was that because of Fenrir’s demise?

“So, you do not deny my accusations?You admit to your abhorrent acts?”

“There is nothing abhorrent about wanting more, about wanting a good life with the ability to do anything I wish.”

Herleif threw his head back and laughed.He then pinned his father with a hardened stare.“No, there is nothing wrong with wanting a good life, but you had that.A good wife and partner.An obedient son willing to sacrifice time from his life to pay your debt, all because I did not want your life ended.But that wasn’t good enough, was it?You have forsaken your wife, and you have betrayed your son.”

“How have I betrayed you?”He waved his hand carelessly at Herleif.“You still live and breathe, do you not?You still have the ability to fight and be rewarded handsomely, do you not?”

“Yes, Father, I still live and breathe, and I may have the ability to fight, but I’m done with that.I will never step foot in any fight club again.”

“Then join me.I’ve been promised riches!I—”

“You will get nothing!”Herleif fisted his hands.“You.Were.Duped.Played a fool.”He pointed down at what remained of Fenrir.“This is the beast behind the false promises you were given.Behind any fleeting magic that even now no longer has power.Do you not feel it?Feel the spell waning?”

Agnar suddenly stooped as if his back couldn’t hold his weight.He lifted his hands and watched them bend, contort, and wrinkle before his eyes.He looked at his son with fear.

“What is this trickery?What is happening?”

“It’s not trickery, Father, it’s the truth.The truth of who you are: an old troll who must now pay for his sins.”

“No!”

“You will!Your actions contributed to lost lives.”Herleif pointed to where Alexia lay, Nonia by her side, growling low as the wolf-dog stared in Agnar’s direction.“I had just begun to discover love.”The realization of that hit Herleif like a sucker punch to the gut.“She accepted me for me,” Herleif said softly.“And now I may never know what it’s like to live out the remainder of my days with someone who cares for me.With someone I came to care about in no time at all.”

Agnar sank to his knees, his face even more aged and gaunt.“It can’t end like this.It’s not supposed to be like this,” he whined.“It’s not fair.”

“Fair?You have the audacity to question what is not fair?”Herleif bellowed as he marched up to his father.“Look at her!Look at the woman I love who may have paid with her life to spare someone like you, so that you may live!”

When Agnar didn’t lift his head to look at Alexia, Herleif stomped to him, bending down to grab his jaw and twist his head, so he had no choice but to see.“She had a purpose and so much potential.She loved and was loved.”He then yanked his hand away, causing Agnar’s head to drop.“But you, someone who took for granted all they had, someone who wasn’t satisfied with their blessings.You threw it away all for greed and vanity.”

“I’m sorry, please believe me.I knew nothing of their intent.I never wanted anyone hurt or killed.Please spare me.”

Herleif could only shake his head in disappointment.“I cannot make that decision.It is up to Fate to decide.”

Agnar’s head snapped up, a glare on his wrinkled face.“We make our choices!What we want, we go after.There is no fate.”

A chuckled escaped Herleif.“I foolishly thought the same, but I was wrong.A wise woman once told me our choices lead us to where we’re supposed to be.So, Father, your choices led you to this point.You chose to lie, to let greed drive you.You have forsaken those who loved you and look where it’s gotten you.Alone, angry, bitter, and withering away.”

“No!”he cried once again.“Do something!I am your father!You owe me!”

“Do I?”Herleif laughed bitterly.“Shall I show the mercy you didn’t?Will it somehow save Alexia?I would, for her, not you.”

“Do you not care for me?Your own blood?I gave you everything!”

“You gave me grief!Blood means nothing when your actions are vile!You betrayed your blood.Your wife and your son.You are a disgrace.”

Agnar tried crawling to his son but only managed to fall on his face, berating Herleif.Ignoring the man he could no longer call Father, he glanced at Alexia, now at peace.

Would she live?Her chest rose and fell with breath, but for how long?

Just as he took a step toward her, a more violent wind rent the air, so much that Herleif shielded his face with his forearm to block the debris flying around.A flash lit up the cavern and when the wind quieted, Herleif dropped his arm to stare in disbelief.

Astride an armored steed was a beautiful Valkyrie, her sky-blue eyes trained on him.

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