Winning Souls Read Online Free PDF Page B

museum when it was confirmed for me. Your eyes glowed when we read about the meteor drop. Enjel eyes can’t glow.”
    Enher moved sideways and settled in the conversation area. She gestured for him to sit. “Please.”
    He made himself comfortable and propped his head on his fist while resting his elbow on the back of the couch. “How long have you known that I was not Ulises?”
    “Since I had never met him, I had no idea what to expect, but I have read about Enjel protocols, and you definitely missed a few steps.”
    He cocked his head. “How so?”
    “They court their mates with gifts. All interactions take place under strict rules. If he felt I was safe to touch, he would have pursued sex. He didn’t, well, you didn’t. Who are you?”
    The lavender eyes glowed. “I am what remains of the planet Kiot. I was not expecting that so much of me would end up on a world inhabited by sentient beings.”
    “Honoured to meet you, Kiot. I do have a question for you.”
    “You wish to know about those who sleep.”
    “Yes, and when did you grab Ulises?”
    “I asked him if I may walk in his skin, and he understood what I needed. He agreed as a Guardian and a protector of the Imperium.”
    “What did you offer him?”
    “A cessation to my acquiring of new minds to assist in my survival. He gives me full access to his power and his mind and that is enough for me.” Kiot smiled.
    “Why have you been around me then?”
    “Your mind is wonderful. I put myself into every man, woman and beast on this world, and they are all attracted to the strength of your thoughts. I want you to join with me, with us.”
    She swallowed. “Why did you free the ones that you did?”
    “Your touch gave energy and joy to the animals. That feeds me, and it enabled me to cut off the draw from the souls of those who have shared my joy before.”
    “So, it is enjoyment that you seek.”
    He shrugged. “Pleasure, laughter, joy, excitement. They all make me stronger and keep me alive. My power scattered across Nurmegar. I had to find a way to bind myself back into a sentient being. Lives were sacrificed, but I made sure that the families of those who gave their souls to me were compensated. They had the best harvests, the best profits and the brightest children. I gave what I could to honour the sacrifice.”
    “So, you have bought their population.” She frowned.
    He shrugged. “When your survival is at stake, you would be amazed at what you can and will do to ensure it.”
    “May I speak with Ulises?”
    He frowned. “No. Not yet. I want to make sure that you know I did not intend harm, but time passes for you much more rapidly than I anticipated, and before I could return the borrowed souls to their bodies, the bodies were gone.”
    Enher closed her eyes. She had met two Avatars in her life, and each of them had expressed their marvelling at how quickly time passed for the children of their soil.
    “You seem upset.”
    She opened her eyes to see his concerned face close to hers. “Not upset, just resigned. Let the off-worlders go. Their families don’t know what is going on, and they have lives to lead, children, parents and siblings who need them.”
    “I have released as many as I could. When you go on that tour tomorrow, if you give more of yourself, I will release what I able to then.”
    She made a face. “Have you released the woman from Lurutek?”
    He cocked his head. “Is that what brought you here?”
    She sighed. “Yes, as you well know if Ulises is a Guardian.”
    “He is not speaking to me. He feels his offer was made under duress.”
    She snickered. “That sounds more like the Enjel I have heard of. A little bit arrogant and rather pompous.”
    As she watched, the eyes flickered from lavender to deep amber. She inclined her head. “Hello, Guardian.”
    He nodded his head before the eyes snapped back to lavender. “Amazing. One insult and he rose.”
    “I did tell you. The Enjel are ruled by ego. They are