The Soul Collector - By Tamela Quijas Page 0,9

afraid to move his eyes from the bold specter.

“I'm not sure my brother likes you,” she breathed, the spirit's approval seeming foremost in her innocent mind.

“He tolerates me,” Lucien muttered beneath his breath. “Where was Reese, my princess?”

“He had to go away to some place, it was his job,” she stated simply, the concept of the words not meaning much to her youthful mind. “He said he would come home. See, he's my favorite big brother, and loves me. He promised.”�

“When did Reese come home?” Lucien inquired gently, realizing the child was rambling.

“This morning, right after the men with the fancy suits came, and gave mommy some papers. The men made mommy and daddy cry real bad,” she supplied nervously.

Lucien understood the full impact of what she revealed. Fancy suits and papers ... uniformed officers and official documentation…all meant to contact the next of kin.

“Reese says I'm special, and that I’m his little angel.” She continued excitedly. She giggled and Lucien watched in disbelief as the image fluctuated and wavered.

Astonishingly, there was an abrupt change in the ghost. The harsh defiance, the unspoken need to battle, seeped away. The spirit's head dipped toward the child, and a sense of absolute adoration filled the night.

Lucien gave the child a sad smile. “Your brother loves you very much, little princess.”�

A thickness tightened his throat. He had forgotten, so many years ago, the feeling of love. The passage of centuries had ripped the experience from him, driving the memory into the darkest recesses of his mind.

Her little face screwed up into a comical expression of adoration. “Reese tells me every time I see him.”�

Lucien shook his head, his pained gaze riveted to the young soldier, knowing the passage of time would remove the spectral image from her. Eventually, the boy would become one more lost soul, trailing after the last human being holding his heart.

“You must return home, princess.” He whispered as the spirit turned to glare at him anew. This time, with his soft utterance, Lucien experienced another remarkable change sweep over the phantom. There was an oddly gentle rustling of the wind before the ghost turned, appearing to speak.

For the first time, he was lost, unable to interpret any of the words falling from the spirit's lips.

“Reese says you’re awful smart, and you’re not to run away no more,” she whispered in awe, glancing back at his kneeling form. “He says you need to em bear ace your power.” She paused, her smooth brow creasing. “Em bear ace. That’s a funny word. You know, Reese likes to tell me new words. What does that word mean?”

Embrace the power.

“Your brother says to accept the gift I’ve been given.” Lucien supplied softly, stunned by the apparition’s words. He held them close to his still heart, feeling salvation tease at his damnation. Struggling with his inner turmoil, he smiled sadly at her. “Will Reese allow me to return you to your parents?”

“Daddy will be mad at me…”�

“I would suggest, princess, you don't speak of your brother,”�Lucien advised.

“But, he’s my brother….” She protested.

“I'm far older than you realize, and I know there's not a person in this world capable of understanding what you see. It would be best if you were to keep your brother close to your heart. The time you spend together must stay a secret.”

“But…?” The girl hung her head, her shoulders returning to the familiar slump. Lucien watched the shadow of a hand caress her shoulder, the contact causing her glow to intensify.��

“Keep Reese a secret, my little princess,”�he continued cajolingly. “Please allow me to return you to your parents.”�

She eyed the wispy figure before nodding, the stubborn tightening of her jaw evident.

“Okay, I'll go home,”� she whispered. “I'll do what Reese and you say.”�

Lucien rose to his feet. He straightened his sodden coat and extended his unmarred hand to her. Patiently, he waited for her to reach for him, slipping her fingers into his. She granted him a tentative but trusting smile, abrupt shyness flowing from her.

He felt the breath sucked escape him in a whoosh and his heart leapt to life and thundered anew. The startling glow, which continued to emanate from her, flowed over him. Immediately, he felt absorbed in a shelter filled with warmth and soul-easing comfort. His cursed vision waned, and the numerous spiritual forms sank into the shadows.

“Reese says I'll never be good at knowing where I am. He says mommy just made be pretty, not smart,”� she chuckled as a gentle breeze ruffled her