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H erleif caught Alexia before 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.

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 about my reward,” 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.”

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.