Page 9 of Claim My Soul (Monsters of New York #6)

H erleif walked into The Gin Room with a churning in his gut.

More than a niggling that something about this entire situation wasn’t what it appeared to be.

He wished he knew why, wished he could find a reason for the feeling, but nothing coalesced in his mind.

Lately he’d been troubled in sleep, restless with dreams, but again, nothing remained in his memories.

Nothing other than the recent visit from Fate’s messenger, and that had been troubling enough.

Not wanting to burden Alexia with his concerns, he kept it to himself, allowing her to concentrate on what she needed to do.

Herleif felt an instant calm as a warmth started in his hand, spread up his arm, and over his torso. He looked down at Alexia, knowing she was trying to soothe him. He also saw the questions in her eyes and a tight smile on her otherwise beautiful face.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

He stopped short when he heard her voice in his head.

“You heard me?”

He gave a brisk nod before leading them to a darkened corner. “How are you doing that?”

“I honestly don’t know, given you seemed immune to my influence. I only thought to give it a try.” She remained quiet a moment as if thinking then opened her mouth but closed it again without saying a word.

“Tell me your thoughts, Alexia.”

“Maybe since our joining, since you bit me ... could that have altered something between us? Formed a bond?”

“Like vampires?” She gave a careless shrug. “Alexia.” Her bright eyes told him she’d heard him in her mind. “I rather like this and the idea we are ... bonding.”

She smiled broadly as she placed a hand on his chest. “I do as well.”

Before either could say more, a ruckus was heard in the corridor leading down to the fight club. Herleif watched Dax, the man he knew as a panther shifter, sprint in that direction.

“Let’s go,” Alexia said, pulling him in that direction. “Must be serious if Dax is headed down there.”

They moved through the growing crowd, making their way toward the steps when they saw two men fighting and Dax trying to break it up.

Another joined the melee, and they all managed to tumble down the stairs, crashing to the floor below.

Herleif removed himself from Alexia’s grasp and jumped down the stairwell.

He saw Dax had shifted and was fighting a wolf while not far away were two more wolves biting and clawing one another.

Spectators began to form a semicircle around the fighters even as the two other arenas carried on as if nothing unusual was happening. Herleif shoved his way past the onlookers to grab ahold of the Lycan ready to jump Dax. Once held firmly, he commanded, “Shift.”

Herleif found himself holding a burly man, but he was no match for troll strength. The guy continued to yell, fighting his restraint so that Herleif had no choice but to knock him out and let him crumple to the floor. Dax shifted back to human form just as Alexia reached Herleif’s side.

The roar of the crowd drew their attention to the other two Lycan. The beasts, bloodied and ragged, were now circling one another, growling and snarling. No one seemed to mind that a third arena was now open for bets.

“Who are these wolves and why were they fighting above?” Herleif asked of Dax.

The panther shifter shook his head. “I have no idea who they are or what caused their fight. More and more Lycan have been showing up, causing trouble. Tonight, of all nights, we’re packed to the rafters, and more than half the patrons are wolves.

We’ve had to turn many away, and I’m sure you saw the waiting line out the door. ”

“Uncle said more of the fights lately have involved wolves. Are the other clubs experiencing the same?”

Dax nodded. “Yes, in fact, it was Tor, from Oba’s Manhattan club, who contacted us to give us a heads-up.

They had their share of instigators as well, said a group talked about making the rounds to all the clubs’ parties before heading to the fights.

So, we brought in even more help for the evening than we had already planned.

Fucking Halloween.” He swiped a hand through his hair and sighed.

Alexia stepped to him, touching his arm. “Dax, you’re bleeding. That’s a nasty looking gash.” Dax turned his arm and cursed. “Go get that cleaned up.”

He looked at Alexia and grinned. “Yes, ma’am. Guess that’s another raincheck on the drinks.” Looking at Herleif, he asked, “Are you here to fight?”

“Hadn’t planned on it.” He looked at Alexia then back at Dax. “We have another mission tonight.” He wrapped his arm around Alexia’s waist, drawing her closer.

“Okay then, well, good luck. Catch up later.”

Herleif nodded then watched the man walk away before looking at Alexia again. “Shall we?” He indicated toward the wolves who were now locked together as one held the other’s throat. “Doesn’t look like it’s going to take long.”

Her eyes held sadness, and Herleif wished he could spare her the grief she felt. Yet he knew she was strong and didn’t need him sheltering her from experiences she’d dealt with before and would no doubt deal with again.

Alexia gave a nod and marched closer. They came to the edge of the crowd when howls split the air–one clearly in misery, the other louder, signaling victory.

One of the wolves stood over the other, flesh hanging from his jowls as blood pooled around the prone wolf on the ground whose throat had been ripped out.

The victor snarled and slung the trophy from his mouth, causing viewers to scream as they tried to avoid being hit.

The wolf then seemed to lock eyes on its next victim, a woman who stood next to Herleif.

“Watch for the soul,” Herleif said to Alexia. “I’ll take care of this fucker.”

She looked as if she wanted to protest, but Herleif turned away and focused on the bloodthirsty Lycan. “Ready to face a worthy opponent?” He taunted, gaining the wolf’s attention. “That’s right, let’s go. Unless you’re too much of a pussy to fight me.”

His words had the desired effect when the wolf bared his teeth and leapt at Herleif.

He easily skirted the attack while landing a punishing blow to the animal’s skull, sending him crashing to the ground, whimpering.

Herleif then caught sight of the expected light ascending from the first fallen wolf.

Alexia stood over the creature as his soul wound its way toward her.

As with the first time he witnessed it, Herleif wanted to warn her, protect her, but knew he shouldn’t.

Wouldn’t. He watched as Alexia absorbed the light, her eyes flashing as bright as the sun.

Just as the soul began to spiral upward, a piercing screech jerked his attention to the wolf he thought he’d only knocked out.

But an eerie light of murky gray oozed out of the body and blasted toward Alexia.

“No!” Herleif bellowed as he threw himself between it and his lover, wrapping his arms around his woman to shield her from the assault.

Alexia tensed and screamed as he absorbed the impact of what felt like a bullet train slamming into him.

The underground disappeared as they barreled through time and space, feeling as if they were being sucked through a vacuum.

They came to an abrupt halt, the sudden impact jarring their bodies, causing both to grunt.

They lay in a tangle for a moment, getting their bearings before rising and remaining at each other’s side.

Except for a hazy amber glow in the distance, darkness permeated the space around them, and the smell of sulfur filled the air.

“What the hell?” Herleif murmured.

“Exactly,” Alexia said as she looked up at him. “What happened? I remember the wolf’s soul seeking me out then you grabbing ahold of me.”

She produced the blue light in her palm and held it high, illuminating the space. A rocky floor lay beneath their feet and stone walls dripping with brown sludge rose on both sides, creating a corridor as wide as a city street.

“The wolf I thought I knocked out apparently died. Only his soul that rose from the body wasn’t a light, it was more like ... like that.” He pointed to the wall. “Some gray glob of muck.” He looked at Alexia. “But it targeted you.”

“What? Me? Why?”

Herleif shook his head. “I don’t know, but it shot straight for you with surprising speed. I only meant to shield you. It must have propelled us, here.” He waved his hand about. “Wherever here is.”

“We’re in a realm in the Underworld, and you had nothing to do with getting us here.

It was the demented soul of the wolf you killed.

I feel it.” The blue light changed to a fireball just as whispers were heard echoing throughout the cavern.

Soft at first, they grew louder until Herleif thought it almost unbearable.

“Souls?” he questioned in a raised voice.

“Yes. Many belong here. Others do not.” Nonia suddenly appeared at Alexia’s side, growling low, and the voices began to quiet. Herleif watched Alexia place her hand on the wolf-dog’s head, massaging through the fur, comforting her.

“And what of the other soul, did it ascend?”

“It did not. It’s trapped among those here that do not belong.”

“Who is doing this?” he practically shouted. Nonia’s growling grew louder just before a voice crackled around them.

“I’m so glad you asked.”

A giant wolf stepped out of the darkness, walking upright like a human.

Ghostly apparitions trailed closely behind as torches suddenly came to life along the rocky walls.

Alexia extinguished her fireball, but Herleif sensed she remained poised for anything.

The figure was as tall as Herleif with the mangiest coating he’d ever seen.

Black eyes gleamed with dark delight and jowls dripped with thick saliva while smiling with what could only be described as an evil grin.

“Fenrir?” Alexia said in shock. Nonia barked, causing the apparitions to cower, while the wolf merely laughed, instantly grating on Herleif’s nerves.

“None other, my dear. Welcome to my realm.” He raised his arms in a flourish. “I hope you’re prepared to stay a while.”