Free Leif (Existence) by Abbi Glines Page A

astonishment.
     
“Yes ,” Dankmar replied then took a step forward holdi ng his hand out to Pagan.
     
“I can’t,” she sobbed .
     
“Trust me,” he replied. I waited knowing that this was it. If she went to him I would let her go. I would give up. If Pagan chose him one more time then I would let her go.
     
As if in slow motion, Pagan s tepped forward and placed her hand in his. Dankmar pulled her up against his side tightly. The relief on his face was mirrored in her eyes as she gazed up at him. He was whe re she wanted to be. I couldn’t fight this anymore. All I was doing was making her hate me more every passing day. I’d loved Pagan for the majority of my life but I couldn’t force her to love me. I finally understood that.
     
“Bad choice leetle gurl ,” Father hissed. He hadn’t expected her to go. Deep down, I ’d known she would.
     

“No, Ghede . You’re the only one who made the bad choice. You don’t take what’s mine.” Dankmar challenged . Then he paused and bent down to whisper in Pagan’s ear before handing her to the blonde transporter that had so fiercely protected Pagan before.
     
“You took a soul that was too young to defend itself. A soul that belonged to the Creator. You changed fate and then decided to play with a world that is not yours. You stepped out of your realm and took another soul not under your rule. Now I give you a choice Ghede . We close this portal today as well as the ones found in Africa and Haiti where the warriors are now standing guard and we seal them for all eternity. Voodoo power will end right here. Right now. You crossed a line.” The gauntlet had been thrown. Dankmar held the power.
     
“Or you let Pagan’s soul go. Free of any restitution. You stay clear of her and her family for all eternity and remain as you are. But I warn you , if I see your son, you or any of your spirits again remotely close to Pagan I will end this religion. There will be no second chances. It’s your choice.”
     
Father turned and stared back at me. I could feel his eyes boring into me as I studied Pagan. This was it. I would have to let her go now. It was the only way. She was never meant to b e mine. Even though in my heart, she always would be.
     
“Let her go.” I replied. Then I dropped my eyes from her gaze and turned to walk away. Back into the castle , where my future would never be complete. I’d lost the key to my happiness.
     

 
    14 . “ I’m nothing like my father ” – Leif
     
              A mix of emotions churned violently inside me.  I couldn’t decide if despair, anger, loss, or hate was the most powerful. How had I failed so easily? Why hadn’t I moved in sooner and won her heart?
     
              “Um, hey you… uh Leif, I think,” a familiar voice broke into my inner turmoil and I jerked my head around to glare at the intruder when I met the startled expression of Sabine. I’d forgotten about her. Shit. I wasn’t in the frame of mind to help anyone right now. Someone needed to help me.
     
              “Oh my. Um, I take it things didn’t go so well with the girl,” she said softly.
     
              “Obvious, is it?” I snapped .
     
              Her big brown eyes widened. “I’m sorry.”
     
              The sincerity in her voice was my undoing. The emotions inside me all stepped back to let sorrow take the leading role as tears filled my eyes.
     
              “She didn’t choose me,” I managed to say without chocking up.
     
              “Oh. Wow. Well, uh, maybe that is for the… best?”
     
              I wanted to roar that it wasn’t for the best. It would never be for the best. How could the fact I’d lost everything impor tant to me ever be for the best? Stalking toward my bedroom without replying I stopped and touched the cold doorknob then paused. Her scent would be in