The Soul Collector - By Tamela Quijas Page 0,73

earth on a spring morning, replaced the stench. The aroma was full of life and promise, everything the dungeon lacked.

Lucien had arrived.

She wanted to cry his name aloud, earnest tears of relief filling her eyes. He had come to rescue her from this hellish world buried so far beneath the ground. A sob tore from her as she saw the beauty of his glowing skin. He was a bright beacon of alabaster, the color made more intense by the spectral image of the man at his side.

“Lucien!” �

The relieved issuance of his name slipped from her, more sob than word. Fresh tears began anew when he scanned her scraped features. A long-suffering breath fell from him and he lifted his hands, pale and gloveless, to her wan face.

“Darling angel,” he whispered lovingly. His hands, normally so cold, were warm. He let the seeping wetness flow before pressing the comforting pressure of his mouth to her trembling lips. Pulling away, he stroked the tangled hair from her face. “We don’t have time, my love.” �

…no time�

Her chilled fingers traced his warm features. “Please, take me home.” �

Lucien rose to his feet. He lifted her after him, his newly beating heart threatening to break as Eva cried out in pain. He murmured soft words of apology at the agony shooting through her, the bare skin of her feet afire, and her ribs aching with every breath.

“I’ll keep you safe.” He crooned before gathering her close to his chest.

…bastard hurt�

“Julian hurt you.” �

It wasn't a question, for he knew the answer. Of course, his brother would harm her. Pain was something familiar to his twin, as was death and despair.

“I don't remember.” Eva slipped her trembling hands up and under the hem of his heavy sweater, the new feel of the warm flesh beneath, comforting. He quivered and flinched with the coldness of her touch, her fingers splaying wide against his back.

…cold as death�

Reese's words were barely intelligible. Eva pressed her ear to Lucien's chest, the steady beat of his heart loud, and attempted to meld into the luxury of his heated flesh. Snuggling deeper, her exhausted sigh was a whisper in the mist filed room.

…cold�

Eva chuckled, amused by the irritated tones. She was pleased her brother's ghost arrived with Lucien in tow. The spirit's ironic quips lent a hint of levity to the dire situation.

“I'm freezing,” she admitted reluctantly, lifting her head and gracing her brother's sepia image with a wan smile.

…no shoes�

“I didn't have time,” she tried to ignore Lucien's furious scowl. “Anyway, it appears no shoes, no coat, gets you first class service in the dungeons of St. Lorraine.” �

…no time for sarcasm�

“I agree.” He set her from him. Immediately, she felt the intense coldness of the dungeon return to her bones, her sharp cry of pain echoing. He pressed a warm finger to her lips, stifling the sound, his eyes warning her of things unseen. His expression was sorrowful as he shrugged out of his trench coat. “Remember what lies in the shadows, Evangeline.” �

“Yes, yes.” She repeated the word several times, knowing he was correct. The souls of the lost and the damned lurked, as well as those of the merciful.

Lucien placed the heavy weight about her shoulders, pulling her close. She gazed up, unable to speak, clutching at his shoulders before placing her head on his shoulder.

…the bastard? �

“Julian doesn't matter, at the moment,” Lucien responded, his scowl directed at the sepia hued spirit. In the gloominess, as Eva looked into his face, she couldn't mistake the gradual darkening of his eyes. Despite his warmth, the beating of his heart beneath her fingertips, and the breath quivering from his lungs, he hadn’t lost the general essence of his curse.

…owe him one�

“My grudge far outweighs your own, Reese,” Lucien smirked, the wry twist of his lips bearing a wealth of unspoken words.

…mine�

“No, my brother is mine.” Lucien snarled, before forcing a semblance of calm into his voice. “There are stairs at the end of the chamber. Reese will guide you to freedom.” �

“But…”

“Whatever you do, don’t re-enter the castle.” �

“Lucien?” �

“Promise me?” He smoothed the tangles from her hair with quivering hands.

“Lucien?” �

“Vow, Evangeline!” His words were desperate, filled with a fear she never heard uttered in the past.

“I promise.”

…Nikolai

“Nikolai?” �

“Nikolai and Gil are at the foot of the hill.” �

“Your crew members are here?”

“Yes.” Lucien whispered. “I need you to go to them. They will take you across the border. There, Brice has secured lodgings with Ethan