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“T hey need you, Alexia . You must save them.”

One moment Alexia was sound asleep, and the next, she was surrounded by a faint light, listening to the echo of a voice in distress. She knew she wasn’t here in physical form, more like her subconscious was here in a dreamlike state. But how? And where was here ?

And who needed her?

“The souls need your guidance.”

Humans thought in simplistic terms. Heaven or Hell.

That is, if they believed in an afterlife for their soul.

But it wasn’t as simple as that. Oh, she wished it was, though.

A soul’s journey didn’t end upon death. There were realms to negotiate based on an individual’s behavior in life.

Her purpose was to guide souls on their destined path in the afterlife.

More often than not, she hoped it was to Heaven, but that was up to Fate to decide.

When guiding, she could feel their essence and knew where they were headed.

Like the Lycan last night. Although his spirit felt disturbed at first, she knew he had gone to Heaven.

And it wasn’t often she’d been called upon to redirect a soul.

When first made aware of the powers she’d come into and her role in the cosmos, she had asked why it was even necessary.

“Souls are like wayward children,” her mother had said.

“When not anchored in a body, they know not of their purpose and therefore need instruction. It is as if their memories are wiped, not remembering their life in the physical world. It is your duty and others like you to move them in the direction Fate ordains.”

“Was that your role also?” she’d asked her mother.

“It was, but now it is time to pass that role onto you. Just as you will do with your daughter. Just as all the women in our line have done.”

“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’t you freeing 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? He is 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?”

Nonia barked, but it was one of excitement.

Next thing Alexia knew, her wolf-dog leapt off the bed and raced to their uninvited visitor, or rather, intruder, in her eyes.

Herleif knelt and greeted the beast no one else should have been able to see, much less touch.

But he ran his hands over her head then back and forth across her sides, delighting Nonia.

Alexia softly harrumphed, only to hear the chuckle of the troll. Or man. And why was he in human form?

She used her magic to light several candles on her side tables before extinguishing her fireballs.

“Why are you here? And how did you get into my room?”

She heard the soft command of “Return” before he stood, his eyes locking on hers.

Nonia returned to the bed, nestling against Alexia’s side.

Herleif’s gaze roamed across her form, and she noticed his fists clenching at his sides.

When his eyes met hers again, she felt her nipples tighten at the intensity, and only then did she remember she was naked.

She yanked the covers over her upper body and watched as Herleif flexed his hands again while keeping their gazes locked.

“Why are you here, Herleif, and why are you in human form?”

“I think you know why I’m here. Alexia.”

She sucked in her breath as her pulse accelerated. “How did you learn my name?”

He took a step closer causing Nonia’s tail-wagging to increase. “Stay,” Alexia commanded.

“Did you dream tonight, Alexia?”

She pinched her lips, knowing what he hinted at but hated his roundabout way of answering her. “What does that have to do with why you are here?”

More steps brought him to the edge of her bed. “Do not play dumb with me, woman.”

Now Nonia let out a soft whine, and Alexia sank her fingers into her fur, soothing her. “It’s okay,” she whispered to her companion before facing Herleif again. “Fine,” she bit out. “No, I did not dream, but I was pulled into a dreamlike consciousness.”

“And?” he prompted.

Alexia sighed. “ And ,” she drew out, “it seems we are tasked to work together to save souls.”