Free Reclaiming Souls by Arielle Caldwell Page B

down.
    “How do you know he is?” I said without raising my voice as the tears fell again.
    She sighed, “I’m not serving his punishment. If you want to, go ahead; reject the reclamation of his soul.” The portal opened and she disappeared right through it.
    I was left shaking, my fists balled up tight as the anxiety soared to new heights within me. I was done. Done feeling like shit because I had to take souls back that, in all honesty, didn’t deserve to be taken. I felt like I had become a murderer and I just couldn’t live with myself doing it.
    I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly before I looked up at the man who was shedding tears while on his knees in front of me. “I won’t do it.”
    He glanced up at me, “Ma’am, I can’t ask you to serve a punishment you don’t need to.”
    “Neither can I. Someone else might come for you, but it won’t be me. I’m done playing this game of His. If I were you, I’d run to a church and beg a priest for a cleansing or something. I doubt anything will help but it’s worth a shot.” The portal sucked me up and I sped back, skyward.
    “Devalynn Rose!” the voice boomed out, louder than I had ever heard it. I had to cover my ears as my head felt like it would explode.
    “I’m coming. No need to yell like that, jeez,” I muttered beneath my breath. I walked into the building his voice came from and stood in front of a great chair that was adorned with gold and silver. The Creator walked out and sat in it, staring down at me.
    He shook his head, “What am I supposed to do with you?”
    “Am I allowed to speak freely or do I have to censor myself?” I asked.
    “Speak your mind,” he replied waving his hand at me.
    “I think it’s bull-” He raised an eyebrow, interrupting me. “Umm, I think it’s crap what’s going on with the soul collecting side of things here.”
    “Meaning...”
    “Meaning, I think the rules are a little outdated and unfair. You give everyone individual judgments once they get here but one little error, and they’re in misery, forever alone. For example, the guy I was sent after today; he was defending himself from an attacker! How is it fair that he is punished for trying to survive!?” My voice raised a few octaves as I squinted my eyes at him, putting him on the spot; giving him his own judgment.
    He sat in silence, clasped his hands and rested his chin on them. Minutes passed…a lot of minutes. I was starting to get nervous I had overstepped my boundaries.
    Finally, he spoke. “I can see how you’d be upset with that.”
    “It’s not so much that I’m upset but rather, I’m sick of myself. I literally hate myself for having to take people who shouldn’t be coming back yet. I’d rather serve someone’s punishment and be forever in solitude than take back innocent souls.” I looked him in the eyes, never taking them off of him.
    “I see.” He grew silent again before standing to his feet. “Follow me.” His voice was even and steady.
    I swallowed the lump that had formed and followed without a word.
    We walked through the great halls and down to the Tombs of the Forsaken. The sealed ones caught my attention.
    “You see these, the ones glowing; they belong to the Collectors who refused their jobs.” I stared nervously at them then let my eyes flutter down to the ground in shame and fear. I knew what was coming. “They fought against the rules I have set in place. There is a difference between you and them.”
    “What’s that, sir?” I mustered enough courage to look up at him again.
    “You’re so much stronger and I see so much potential in your inner light. You could make the changes you want, if you want it bad enough.”
    “I don’t think I understand.” I was confused. Why wasn’t he throwing me in one and sealing it shut forever?
    He laughed gently, “I’m saying there is a need for some modifications to the system and you should do them. It’s not going to be an easy job, so get that