Free The Lost Soul (Fallen Soul Series, Book 1) by Jessica Sorensen Page A

are you ready to pull some teeth?” I ask with my eyes locked on Nicholas.
    “You couldn’t stay away from me.” He places a hand on his heart in a touching gesture. “It was seeing me at the castle, wasn’t it? You forgot how good looking I was, didn’t you?”
    “One thing’s for sure.” Aislin snorts a laugh. “You sure haven’t.”
    I cover my mouth, masking a grin. “We need your help with something… a project with a crystal and some information about The Afterlife.”
    He struts down the hall until he’s invading my personal space, eyes glinting, his lips pressing, his floral scent stinking up my nostrils. “Why is it you always need my help?”
    “You tell me?” I counter. “I’m starting to find it a little strange.”
    He leans in, his breath hot on my cheek. “If you’re trying to imply something, you need to come out and say it. I don’t have all day to figure it out.”
    I gently push him out of my face. “I need your help with freeing my dad.”
    He rolls his eyes. “That’s the stupidest statement you could make. Your dad’s in the Room of Forbidden. And I’ve already told you there’s no way to free him.”
    “I have the Crystal of Limitation,” I say. “I just need some aid from another Foreseer willing to break the laws. And you seem to fit that bill very well.”
    He feigns insult. “When did I ever break the rules? Yes, I might have questionable morals, but rule breaker doesn’t fit my style.”
    Aislin cups her hand around my ear and whispers, “Bat your eyelashes at him.”
    I shake her off. “Would you please just help me… please ?” I’m on the verge of begging, and I don’t like giving the faerie that much power.
    “What’s in it for me?” He licks his lips, his expression questioning.
    “What do you want?” I ask, irritation evading my tone.
    He grins and his hands dart to my hips. “I think the question is what do you want?”
    I stomp on his toes. “Don’t ever touch me again.”
    He winces, his jaw clenched, his golden eyes flaming. “I ought to make you pay for that. In fact, I will, by not helping you.”
    I glance at Aislin for help and she nods.
    “ T ransire nunc !” Rays of silver and violet stream from her hand. Nicholas starts to run, but slips on the rug and stumbles to the floor. Magic swirls to the ceiling and dives like a bird right into his stomach. He gags, his skin tinting green. His head thuds backward and his eyes roll back.
    “Remind me never to piss you off,” I say to Aislin, standing over the unconscious faerie. “The problem is, now we have to tow him across the yard—I can’t foresee us out of here.”
    Aislin raises her hand cleverly and waggles her fingers. “I can take care of that. Movere eum deinceps .” Nicholas soars upward and levitates down the hall. She snaps her fingers and the door flies open, rocking the house. His body descends outside, landing in the center of the icy yard.
    “Again, remind me never to piss you off,” I say, and dash outside. “You know he’s going to be a problem when he wakes up. We might have to do something about that.”
    She beams and we hurry to Nicholas. I station a hand on Aislin’s arm and prod my foot against Nicholas’ leg. I visualize the Keepers’ castle, the grey stones, the peaking towers, the trees embellishing the clear lake. But I don’t feel the pull. I try again, but my head aches in response.
    I open my eyes. “Something’s wrong.” My hand falls from Aislin’s arm. “I can’t feel my power.”
    Our gazes zip around the crystal area.
    “Is there any praesidium lying around?” she asks.
    I’m alert of the absence of power in my veins. “It’s not that.” I circle around Nicholas, biting at my thumbnail. “It’s something with him; something about him is blocking me.”
    “Maybe he has praesidium on him?” She shrugs.
    I raise my eyebrows. “You want to do the honors?” She shakes her head and I sigh. I squat down and pat his pockets.