Free Predestined by Abbi Glines Page B

Leif never appeared
cocky.
    “Because you belong to
me.”
    Forcing the panic that was trying
so hard to break through further down while I held my calm
expression I took another step toward him.
    “I don’t belong to you, Leif. I’m
not a possession. I’m a person. Please take me back
home.”
    Leif
let out a hard laugh that held no humor, “So that Dankmar can have what I created? I don’t think so Pagan,” he
stopped and ran his hand through the messy locks of hair. It was a
move I’d seen him do hundreds of times. Somehow seeing that small
touch of humanity eased the fear gripping me.
    “You see, he was bound to love you.
You’re different. He saw that. But what he failed to explain is
that you’re different because I made you different. Not him. Not
fate. Me. Everything about you has been molded into my creation.
You were chosen for me.” He held out his hand, “it’s okay, trust
me. My touch would never harm you.”
    Shaking my head I retreated until
the iron footboard of the bed touched my back.
    “Have I ever hurt you, Pagan?
Listen to your soul. It knows where it belongs. The fire flashing
in your eyes right now is your soul reaching for me.” He stopped in
front of me and smiled down at me like he had a wonderful secret to
share. He held out his hand to me, “give me your hand.”
    My eyes. He was the reason my eyes
were glowing a freaky orange color and he wanted me to give him my
hand? I don’t think so. This was a problem.
    “Please Leif, take me home. I just
want to go home,” I pleaded.
    Frowning, Leif dropped his
outstretched hand. “What must I do to make you trust me? You trust
Death without question. Death, Pagan. He is Death. How can you
trust a creation meant to take souls from earth and not trust me?
I’ve never let you get hurt. I’ve never left you alone. But he
shows up and you fall mindlessly under his spell. What did he do to
deserve you? He didn’t save your life. He would’ve taken your soul
when you were a kid. Left your mother grieving the loss of her
child and not thought of it again. It’s what he does.”
    “But why did you save
me?”
    Leif gave me a small sad smile and
tilted his head to the side studying me. “I’m not your darkest
dream, Pagan. I may walk in the darkness but I saw a life worth
saving and I chose it. My father chose it. He agreed you were meant
for me. Now it’s up to you to accept that the life you have always
lived is coming to an end. It is past time. You were supposed to
die that day on the road and when Death came I was to take your
soul instead. You would’ve trusted me. Your soul and my spirit are
one. But Death broke the rules,” Leif growled and stalked over to
one of the many candles lighting the room, “I’d become lax in my
judgment. I knew Death was with you but I believed he was doing
what he does when he takes a special interest in a soul, preparing
you. Instead, the fool was falling in love with you.”
    I watched horrified as he held his
hand over the flame causing it to grow until the tip was licking
against his palm. His fist tightened over the flame then he turned
back to me and opened his hand to reveal a ball of fire.
    “I may not control Death but I do
control the dead. Those who made less than intelligent choices on
earth. They walk among the darkness under my father’s command.
Under my command. I need someone to fill the loneliness. You’ve
been my companion for over fifteen years now even if you don’t
realize it. But your memories will slowly return. You’ll see that
you do, in fact, belong to me.”
    Dank was stronger than this. I
chanted that reminder in my head to keep my heart from racing in my
chest. He would find me. Even if I was in the pits of Hell.
Glancing around I seriously doubted that was where we were. Nothing
about this place reminded me of Hell. Well, except that I was stuck
in here with a Voodoo spirit lord.
    “You’re just going to take me from
earth? What about my mother? I can’t just