Free The Banshee's Embrace by Victoria Richards Page A

said.
                  "I know. The next soul keeper isn't due for another hundred years."
                  "How do souls get in the box?"
                  "The family banshee has to collect them. See, the good souls in the family go to the next realm. They are the lucky ones. The bad ones in the family all end up here." The young man stepped a little closer to Toby. "Your energy looks clean though. I don't even see the O'Grady mark on you."
                  "That's because I'm not from one of the Irish families."
                  "Where does your family originate then?"
                  " Germany ."
                  " Germany ? What a cesspool."
                  "So now that you know I'm not part your family, how do I get out?" Toby looked around, but darkness still lay everywhere. "Like I said, Jacqueline put me in here by mistake."
                  "She's an interesting one. Heard a bit of buzz about her."
                  "From who?"
                  "From the souls her predecessor dropped in here recently." The man nodded as Toby looked confused. "Even though the banshee had her powers split with Jacqueline, she has still been doing her job for the last year. She collects the bad souls that pass on in our family tree. But most of them have heard about this new hybrid thing that Jacqueline is. She's pretty popular, even if she doesn't know it."
                  "The wizards all want her for themselves," Toby said.
                  The man laughed. "Don't be naïve. It isn't just the wizards. All the supernaturals want her for the same reason. She can destroy an enemy just by singing to them! Even our family would like to take advantage of that."
                  "Some family."
                  "Poor girl won't ever be safe as long as she stays split--one foot in the living world, one foot in the grave." The man gave Toby a level look. "The only option for her is death. If she dies, she becomes a regular banshee, a reaper who just collects souls, but can't remove them."
                  Toby lowered his gaze. This was exactly what the hag had indicated to him. He'd known she'd have to die, had even told her so, but knowing didn't make it any easier. The thought of Jacqueline's death--it twisted his insides and made him want to find another way.
                  No. He couldn’t afford to think like that. It wasn't like he had feelings for her. About her, yes! But for her…no.
                  "You are a man at war with himself." The man watched Toby with interest. He tilted his head. "You want out?"
                  "Yes."
                  "Fine, I can grant that. But I'm coming with you."
                  "Is that a good idea?" Toby peered into the darkness. "What will happen to the souls in here if you leave? I heard them screaming and moaning a little while ago."
                  "Sorry. That was just sound effects for your benefit. I like to give the newcomers something to worry over when they first get here. Darkness, wind, shrieks, moans and groans--that's just standard protocol here in the box. The souls I drained last week are long gone." The man gave him another impish smile." Besides, I'm bored. I need stimulation."
                  Toby debated a moment, trying to figure out what the man's game plan could be. How much havoc could he create outside the box? In the end, he nodded his head. "Fine. What should I call you? Keeper of Souls doesn't exactly make for a good introduction."
                  "Just call me Gabe," the man said. "You ready?"
                 
    *****

 
                  "Wake up."
                  Jacqueline fluttered her eyes, blinded a little by the harsh fluorescent lights of her kitchen. She became