Page 3 of Claim My Soul

“What happened?”he asked softly.“You weren’t down there very long.”

Her gaze flickered to the crowd before she met her uncle’s gaze.“The shifter’s soul was clearly seen leaving his body, but only by myself and the troll, Herleif.There was no reaction from anyone else, no indication they’d seen the beautiful light that shot straight through me.I’dnever seen anything like it.I’d neverfeltanything like it.”

“And now?”

She shook her head.“I don’t feel any different now than any other time I’ve done this.”

“Something else happened.”

She gave a quick nod.“Herleif.He saw me.His gaze was intent as if he knew I had something to do with what happened.I think he tried to follow me.Did you see him come through here?”

Her uncle shook his head.“I did not.He may have gone out the back or simply given up.”

Alexia scoffed.“He does not strike me as a being that would give up on anything.”She took a drink of the water in front of her.“What do you know of him?”

“I know he’s been fighting for a year, paying off a debt owed by his father.”

“And the Lycan?His name is, orwas, Evan Hosten.Why was his death any different?”

“I don’t know anything about the wolf, but I’ll find out.”He paused, contemplating.“Maybe it had nothing to do with the wolf but with Herleif himself.What was he doing when it happened?”

“I wondered that very thing because it was what he’d donebeforeit happened that may have had an influence.He gave the werewolf a mercy killing.They were clearly fighting to the death, battling one another hard.When Herleif slammed the wolf to the ground, he’d done immense damage.Then the wolf shifted back to human form.Even amidst the noise of the crowd, I heard him say,finish me.Herleif framed his face and whispered,Till Valhallabefore snapping his neck.”

“Very admirable.”

“Uncle Nic,” she started again in a hushed voice, “something else was said by the wolf.Something disturbing.He said,Mercy, don’t let him take my soul.”

If her uncle was alarmed, he gave nothing away.

“You’re sure?”

She nodded.“I am.”

“Are you okay?”

“Just tired,” she sighed.

He reached across the table to take her hand.“Let me get someone to escort you home.I’d do it myself, but I have another matter with work to finish up.”

Her uncle worked for the Shifters Relations Agency in New York City, which regulated shifter activity.They also kept peace among their kind and the humans who’d become aware of the paranormal.Alexia had only been in the city a handful of months, having come over from Greece at the insistence of her parents who thought she needed to experience the modern world.She had stayed with her uncle and his family for two months, becoming familiar with the city and this new way of life.Now she had a place of her own in Hunters Point which was across the East River from his townhouse in Manhattan.Her apartment was close to the local library where she spent a great deal of her leisure time.Even though she’d been enjoying this world, there were many days and nights when she missed the slower pace of life on her island of Karpathos.

“Alexia, don’t fret about tonight.While it isn’t a normal occurrence, it doesn’t mean there’s anything ominous about the event.I’ll do some checking, and we’ll talk tomorrow.Now, let me find someone—”

“It’s okay, Uncle Nic, I’m fine to get home.I could use a walk.While I haven’t had any concerns thus far, I’ll veil myself just in case.”Her place was only a half mile from The Gin Room which was located in Gotham Point just past the Midtown Tunnel.When he gave her a concerned look, she tried again to ease any worry.“Really, I’ll be all right, and I’ll contact you as soon as I’m safely locked away for the night.”

“Okay, but be sure to text me the moment you get to your apartment.”

She nodded.“Promise.”

Both stood and embraced before Alexia headed for the door.She was stopped by the bouncer, Dax, who was a panther shifter and apparently a big, friendly flirt according to most of the waitresses.

“Leaving so soon?”he said.“I haven’t had a chance to buy you a drink yet.”

Alexia gave a weak smile.“Maybe another night.”

Dax gently grasped her hand and kissed it before releasing.“I’ll hold you to that.”He winked.“Are you fine to get home alone or is your uncle escorting you?”

She shook her head.“I’m fine, truly.Uncle Nic has work to do and I’ll be veiled.”

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