The Soul Collector - By Tamela Quijas Page 0,40
The teasing and repetitive chatter of his voice fell silent for the first night in a week.
“Do you have the ability to gather Reese?”
….don't want to go! Won't go!
Lucien detected the pained words flowing thickly about the room. He noticed her curiosity and fear, as well as other indecipherable emotions. Despite the faint tremor in the young man's statement, he realized the specter's expression had changed dramatically. The teasing impression of youth had vanished, and the sockets of his eyes illuminated with a reddish glow.
“I'm not here to gather your brother's essence, Evangeline. Long ago, he offered guidance, and I owe him my gratitude.” The glow ebbed and, gradually, dimmed. “My brand marks heaven and hell, demons and angels, the good and the bad. The mark summons and gathers the lost, the forgotten, and the abandoned.”
“So, you do the so-called collecting and then what? You keep them?”
He shrugged. “From the moment their essence is drawn into my hand, I'm uncertain where they should travel.”
“There has to be a reason.”
“All I do is collect souls,” he responded. “What happens from there, I don’t know.”
“So, what do you have?" She rolled her eyes and considered the numbers of spirits he possibly held. "Thousands of souls bouncing around in the palm of your hand, making the brand do its bizarre little dance?”
“I assume the number’s more along the lines of hundreds of thousands, if not millions.”
“Gee.” She exhaled the childish exclamation before granting him a lopsided smile. “Split personalities have nothing on you.”
For the first time in a long while, he wanted to laugh.
“And you?” She interposed gently, as he fastened dancing eyes on her. “Why do you want to die?”
….four hundred years must be a real pain in the ass
Lucien controlled the urge to snarl at the smirking spirit. Although, he admitted, he was relieved the specter reverted to his more congenial nature.
“There’s nothing else I wish for, nor crave more in this world.” The laughter left his eyes and the stark severity of his expression returned.
Eva leaned forward, uncaring as books, DVDs, and magazines spilled to the floor. It was obvious she had a lot on her mind, the familiar frown growing. Her eyes narrowed and her expression mirrored his, despite the increasing goose flesh crawling over her arms.
“Well, you've done screwed yourself, Mr. D'Angel.” She whispered, the misty puff of steam escaping with her breath. “It’s against my moral strictures to aid anyone in dying, including you.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
In order to avoid succumbing to the darkness, one must endure the beauty of the light….
“No?”
Lucien sank back in his seat, his eyes wide, and his formally complacent features flooded with shock. In truth, he hadn’t suspected Evangeline would deny him what he sought. Yet, here she was, as defiant as any soul he’d encountered during his lengthy existence.
“You know, I’ve read your books. Rather heavy stuff, I admit, but I did slog through them.” Eva stifled another shiver as she gulped for breath. “I'm beginning to understand this ghost thing and all its crazy workings.”
“I'm pleased you’ve achieved that exalted level.” His gaze dropped to the jumbled pile of books on the floor, their spines, and pages bent.
“Don't be sarcastic, Lucien,” she snapped.
“I didn't intend sarcasm.” He grumbled, although there was an obvious lack of apology in his words.
“I’ve a need to understand what my role is in this life and death factor.” Eva's tone was firm and there was headstrong defiance injected into the demand.
He apprised her slowly. Reese remained behind her, his figure growing more solid as the moments passed. The flow of light surrounding them increased to a virtually blinding radiance.
….yeah left her out of the loop
“I could….” Lucien strove to control his rapidly growing temper, unsettled by the spirit's incessant commentaries.
….yeah, like you want to risk everything by pissing her off
Lucien drew his shoulders back, his features a serene mask before he lifted his darkening eyes to the hovering ghost. “At this moment, I understand where your sister obtained her absolutely enchanting off-screen vocabulary.”
….ain’t anything wrong with the way she talks!
“No, not if you care for young ladies to have the vernacular of sailors.”
….soldiers
“I'm aware of what you were, damn it!” He growled beneath his breath. “I was referring to her atrocious off-camera diction.”
….needed to learn to get her point across best way possible
“Will the two of you stop speaking about me like I wasn’t here?” Eva's censure did cause the pair to halt their cutting repartee. She eyed Lucien critically, noticing the unholy darkness of his eyes,