A lexia watched Herleif , his brow wrinkling once again, and oh, how she wanted to smooth those deep furrows.

She knew little about the many shifters and paranormals, having had minimal contact with any until she’d arrived in New York. Her knowledge came from her mother as well as reading, and even then, accurate information had been limited.

Trolls, for instance. She’d read they were usually large beasts, unappealing in appearance. They were known for their aggression and trickery, and most often solitary creatures living underground or in darkness.

Herleif was certainly large but in no way was his appearance unappealing.

He was rather handsome in his brutish way.

His hair was wild, and she longed to tangle her fingers it.

His skin reminded her of fresh spring grass—one of her favorite colors—and the marks and scars added to his ruggedness.

Sure, he’d initially been rude, trying to intimidate her, but she was seeing a civil side to him, and she knew they’d be able to work together.

But the way he spoke about himself, as a troll, made Alexia wonder if there was something wrong with her in finding him physically attractive. When he’d been in human form, it’d been a striking form, but truth be told, she preferred him as his true self.

And when he’d said he was seducing her, had he been teasing? What purpose would that tactic serve? He couldn’t have been serious, could he? In wanting her?

She silently chastised herself for doing nearly the same as Herleif had done. While there was no self-loathing, there was self-doubt. Other than being inexperienced, there was nothing wrong with her. She was caring, smart, and attractive. Wasn’t she?

Maybe he was teasing and didn’t want a human like her. Maybe—

“Why are you scowling?”

Herleif’s question snapped her out of her internal discussion.

She met his curious gaze and tried to steer the topic back to him.

“I’m just wondering why you’re delaying in telling me about you.

We must trust one another if we’re going to work together.

” She took a sip of her tea while he remained quiet.

“If you’d rather I go first...” He still said nothing.

She sighed and began. “I’m Alexia Stavros, born thirty years ago on Karpathos, a Greek Island.

I’m an empath with the ability to influence others’ mood or feelings.

I also guide souls to the afterlife on their destined paths.

My mother has the ability, as did her mother, and so on, as did all the women in my family.

Apparently, my mother’s line can be traced back to the Goddess, Hecate. ”

“Impressive. Do you think that is why the dream walker came to you? Why you’re tasked with this mission?”

“Maybe. Hecate was extremely powerful, but I’m nowhere near her level.”

“Maybe you are and don’t yet realize.” When she remained quiet, he spoke again. “And why are you in New York?”

“My parents—mostly my mother—insisted I experience the modern world. She felt I was meant for more than my secluded life on Karpathos. My father’s brother, Uncle Nic, works for the SRA, um, the Shifters Relations Agency, and he asked if I’d like to try using my guiding ability on the shifters who fight in the club. ”

“ Try ? Weren’t you already using your skills? You either do it or you don’t. There is no try .”

She chuckled. “Well, yes, you are correct. I suppose Uncle Nic wanted to see how I’d do in that savage environment. I assured him I could handle it.”

“Had you ever been around fighters? Any kind of battle?”

“No,” she scoffed. “Life on the Island was rather peaceful. If someone was ill or near the end of their life, I would stay with them until their death then guide their souls. On the occasions I went to the mainland, I’d never known of any activity like that.”

“And you said last night was your first in the club?”

“Not in that club, as in The Gin Room, but first in that fight club.

Uncle Nic had taken me to The Gin Room in Manhattan close to where he lives and introduced me to shifters there.

The co-owner is Oba Izem, a lion shifter whose name literally means king lion.

He has the fight club set up similarly. I spent a few weeks there guiding souls before going to the Gotham Point club last night.

“Was there another such as you, before you came?”

“Interestingly enough, no, not that I know of. I presume there was a guide on the other side. It isn’t simply left up to—”

“Left up to Fate,” he stated at the same time. “Fickle bitch,” he mumbled.

“She may be, but such is the way of the cosmos.”

He cocked his head and gave Alexia another look. “You believe in that bullshit?”

She gave him a stern look. “It took me some time to come to terms with the thought that all is preordained, and there are still moments when it doesn’t sit well with me, so all I’ll say is life is a series of choices, and those choices lead to where you are supposed to be.”

Herleif snorted before leaning forward to pick up his mug, looking impossibly adorable to Alexia. She tried to stifle her giggle but failed.

“What?” She shook her head, but he persisted. “Do I amuse you?”

“In fact, you do. Now it’s your turn.”

“I’m still stuck on why your uncle, or anyone thought they needed you? What happened to make them decide your skill was needed with your physical presence rather than allowing a guide to do its work on the other side?”

“I was never told of anything happening, some strange occurrence that alerted them to concerns. Doesn’t mean something wasn’t happening but he felt it wasn’t pertinent.

I’ll have to ask him specifically when he contacts me sometime today.

” She took a drink, watching Herleif as he remained quiet.

Contemplating. “Do you think it could have anything to do with it being Samhain?”

“When the veil thins, and spirits may be able to cross into this realm,” he said softly. “It’s possible. Did you see other spirits, those who shouldn’t have been here?”

Alexia shook her head. “No, and I’d have been able to see them since I have that ability. Even those who try to mask or veil themselves, I can see them.” She slanted her head. “You do as well,” she stated.

His head snapped up, pinning her with a startled look before quickly calming. “Why do you say that?”

“Pfft, come on, Herleif, don’t play me for a fool.

You’re able to see me when I’m veiled. You can touch Nonia when no one should be able to.

And she clearly trusts you, allowing you to be near me.

You see the spirits leaving the body when no one else in that club can.

Or at least, no one that makes it known they can.

You have a power. And maybe you never thought it strange otherwise, but it’s an ability most others do not possess. ”

“I’ve never known differently, and I learned that, yes, most others do not possess it. I also learned it doesn’t matter. So what if I can see spirits leaving the deceased? It has no bearing on who I am or how I live my life.”

“Fair enough,” she conceded.

He quirked a brow but didn’t respond to the topic. Instead he asked, “How long are you staying in New York?”

“I hadn’t made any decisions, and now with this going on, well, I certainly can’t leave until it’s resolved.”

“You can do whatever you choose. You aren’t bound to help these souls. That is, if you believe what you were told.”

Alexia sat up straighter. “You don’t believe me?”

“I did not say that, Alexia. What if you weren’t told the truth? What if this is some elaborate ruse? A trap?”

“For what purpose?”

“That remains to be seen, now, doesn’t it?”

Alexia shook her head as she placed her mug on the table, the tea now cold and bitter.

“And why involve both of us? Because I’m sure it does.

Nothing like last night happened in the Manhattan club while I’d been there, so I believe you are a factor.

” She sat back and pulled the fleece throw off the back of the couch to wrap around herself.

“Tell me about Herleif Aganarsson. Please.”

His nose twitched. “There isn’t much to tell.

Nothing extraordinary. My family hails from Northern Denmark.

I am eighty years of age.” Alexia knew her eyes had widened.

“Trolls tend to have a good lifespan. My father, who has lived nearly two hundred years, was involved in salt mining and when that went bust, he made the wild move to bring us to America two decades ago.”

“Versus remaining in Europe? Wasn’t there other work he could have engaged in?”

“Sure, plenty, but my father was impatient and greedy. Not a good combination.”

“Which led to this debt you’re paying off for him.” When his brow rose, Alexia explained. “My uncle knew of this, the reason you’re fighting in the club. He said he was going to see what else he could find out about you as well as Evan Hosten.”

“Evan?”

“The Lycan you fought and...”

“And killed,” he said, hanging his head.

“Herleif, he knew what he was getting into when he stepped into the pit.” She leaned closer, touching his arm. He jumped at the contact before his head snapped up, so their gazes locked. “It was a mercy killing and very commendable.”

He scoffed and shook his head. Alexia began to withdraw her hand but once again, Herleif surprised her with his speed, grasping her hand with his. The hold was gentle, his hand warm.

Did she see vulnerability in his eyes?

Alexia didn’t try to pull away, sensing he needed the contact. “How many do you have in your family?” she asked, wanting to keep him talking.

“Myself, Father, and Mother.”

“No extended family?”

“None.”

His fingers softly caressed hers and the tender action sent shivers through her. Still, she didn’t try to move away from his touch. “Do, or did you have a community in Denmark? Other trolls?”

“A few I knew of, no relation, though. My mother tried to form friendships, but my father wanted nothing to do with them. Trolls tend to stick to themselves. My father viewed them as competition. Really, anyone was. As I said, he was greedy.”

Alexia shook her head. “Sad he wouldn’t want that relationship with his own kind. Have you made friends here?”

“Friends?” He laughed. “No. Trolls don’t make friends.”

“Why not? You know—or maybe you don’t—not everyone views the Jotnar as unfriendly or unapproachable. They were a significant presence in our history, many mating with gods.”

He grinned. “You think trolls descended from the Jotnar ?”

“Yes. They were the original giants of the world and revered. Well, by most. Can your family trace their line back generations? Maybe to the days of Odin?”

“Doubtful. I was never told any of that, and it never crossed my mind to ask. Many still believe those tales are merely myth.”

“Pfft, you mean humans.” Alexia waved away that comment. “It is our history, our lineage. Let the humans, or most of them, believe what they will. There is no denying the presence of the paranormal, even if our kind prefer to limit that knowledge.”

“Would you prefer our kind make our presence known and fuck the consequences?”

“Herleif, why must you be crude with your language?”

He threw his head back and bellowed with laughter. She startled at first then joined him. “I love your laugh. Shows you aren’t always the hardened brute you make yourself out to be.”

He quieted and pinned her with an intense stare while his grip on her hand tightened. “You have no idea the brute I am.”

Alexia wouldn’t be intimidated by him. “Is that so?” She sent a tiny surge of power through her hand, just enough so he’d feel a buzz. “Don’t think you know all about me either.”

Herleif retained his hold, using his thumb to stroke her knuckles.

“I wouldn’t dream of underestimating you, Alexia.

It’s my mission to discover everything about you.

” He leaned closer while pulling her toward him, so they were inches apart.

“How quickly will your skin flush when I see you fully naked?”

Alexia felt her eyes widen as she remained frozen while Herleif brought his mouth to her ear.

“How sweet will your pussy taste.” She gasped. He chuckled. “How loudly you’ll scream when my cock fills you and brings you ecstasy like you’ve never felt.”

Alexia couldn’t contain the whimper that escaped her, and she felt herself pressing closer to this dirty-talking beast she wished would at least kiss her. As for the other things he described, her body trembled at the thought, and it wasn’t in fear.

Herleif licked down the column of her neck then worked his way back up to suckle her ear. “Would you like that, Alexia? Would you like for this beast to spread you out and feast on you in every way imaginable?”

“Yes,” she moaned without hesitation. But when Herleif stilled, she suddenly wondered if he were simply teasing her. Testing her. She leaned back to look at his face but couldn’t discern his thoughts. She used her ability to read his emotions. “You don’t believe me.”

He frowned but remained silent.

“Why would you say such things, ask me these questions if you weren’t prepared for honesty?”

“Because no one wants me . The troll.”

She dared to gently place her palm against his cheek and watched his eyes become wary.

“Then you’ve been asking the wrong women.

” She then laced her fingers into his hair and pulled him to her, so their mouths met.

Cautious of the sharp protrusions, Alexia kissed him.

She wasn’t skilled in this activity at all, but that didn’t stop her from doing what she thought felt right.

Herleif stiffened for all of a split-second before he growled and took control. He cradled the back of her head while tipping her chin up, devouring her mouth, and all she felt was bliss.

And, oh gods, did she want more.