Page 7 of Claim My Soul

“But what if I don’t have a daughter?What if I don’t want a mate?”

Her mother had simply chuckled.“My dear, your fate is written, and our lineage will not end with you.”

Alexia had contemplated that and so began the deep discussion about fate versus choice and what is preordained.At the time, it’d been overwhelming.It still was, to be honest, but Alexia had learned there is always a choice, and whether one chose to believe that was the choice that was destined ...well, it made her head swim, so she didn’t dwell on it.All she knew was to make the best choice when faced with options and let what will be, be.

Now, to determine what she faced and why.

“You must free the souls.”

The disembodied voice came from all around her, and Alexia knew she wouldn’t find its source.Just as she wasn’t going to discover where she was.Didn’t seem to matter at this point.There were other pressing details to learn.

“Where are these souls and why must I free them?”

“They are not where they belong.A soul collector is at work, upsetting the balance.”

Soul collector?Alexia had never heard of such a thing.

“You are the guide.You have the power.But you will need help.”

“Help?From whom?If I have the power, why would I need help?”

“You will need the allegiance and protection of the one who sees the true you.”

That sent a little jolt through Alexia.“Sees the true me?”she murmured.“I don’t understand.Why do I need protection?”

“It is a perilous task, but he will not forsake you.”

“He?”Alexia felt as if she’d leave here with more questions than answers.“Who are you?Why aren’tyoufreeing the souls?”

“I am simply Fate’s messenger.The power is not within me.”

“Yet you had the power to summon me ...here.”

“I am a dream walker and do Fate’s bidding.”

“And Fate cannot intervene?”

“It has not come to that.Yet.”

Alexia knew Fate to be an impartial being.Had to be.But would there ever come a time when she’d have to step in?Apparently, Alexia and her mysterious partner, protector, or whatever she was to call him, were the first in line to undo the work of this soul collector.

“How am I to know who this partner will be, and how do we find the soul collector?”

“The one who sees you when others cannot.There is more to the troll than even he realizes.”

“Herleif?Heis to be my protector?”Alexia wasn’t so much alarmed as she was annoyed.She had to work with that stubborn scoundrel?

“He will not forsake you.”

“Yes, you said that.I’m sure he’ll be just as thrilled as I am to learn about this arrangement,” she murmured.“Is there any more you can tell me?Where is this soul collector?How do we stop him?”

“Together, you’ll know what to do.”

“That’s it?”Alexia was met with silence.Before she could ask another question, a burst of light flashed as a soft whooshing popped her ears.She jerked upright in her bed, once again surrounded by darkness.Her breaths were quick, and it took a moment for her eyes to adjust and realize where she was.She started to reach out with her senses, but movement in the shadows had her hands flaring with her fireballs.She then felt the presence and heard the growls of her spirit companion, Nonia, a wolf-dog, who materialized at her side.

Raising a hand, the room illuminated, revealing a hulking figure in front of her balcony doors.The man had dark blond hair with braids framing his temples, and his face was covered with a mustache and beard.He wore a tan shirt and dark pants that molded to impressive muscles, while black boots covered his feet.When Alexia looked into his striking blue eyes, a hint of recognition had her frowning.

“Herleif?”

---