Soul Broker

Soul Broker

Tina Pollick

Published by Moon Rose Publishing

Copyright ©
Tina Pollick 2013

The right of
Tina Pollick to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

All the characters in this book are fictitious, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers; Moon Rose Publishing.

ISBN-13:
978-1-909816-06-0

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This has been an incredible journey and I’m so glad I’ve been able to share it with all the new friends I’ve met over the past few months. You’re excitement over my work has left me humbled and extremely grateful. Thank you.

A special thanks to all my FFF friends! You guys are freaking fabulous. (hugs)

Last, but never least.

To my husband: You’re my heart and soul, every good quality you have bleeds into my characters. I want all of my ladies to find someone as wonderful as you are. I love you.

To my kids: You two are my world. I love you both!

To my mom: We’re reading buddies now! Yay!

Drew pulled the blood-stained knife from its sheath. “Give me your hand.”

Bob’s hand trembled, betraying his uncertainty. “You’ll keep your end of the deal?”

Drew remained silent. Bob released a sharp breath and yanked it back.

Drew raised a brow. “Having second thoughts?”

“How do I know you’ll do what you say?”

Drew glanced down at the puny man and sighed. He’d lost track of how many times over the centuries he’d seen an idiot trading his soul for a woman.
He
was proof of that. No. He would tell Bob the same reassuring words he’d been told. This
man
would soon find that love is an illusion.

“Do you love her?” Drew asked.

“What kind of question is that? I’m trading my soul to spend forever with her,” Bob grimaced.

Drew shook his head. “No, not forever. Only this life. That’s the deal.”

“Yes, yes of course.” Bob extended his hand, palm side up. “Go ahead.”

Drew placed the blade upon the man’s palm, and with a quick, practiced movement, blood welled to the surface. He held out an ivory-colored parchment. “Place your palm here and it’ll be done.”

Drew held out the paper and pointed to the spot where Bob would need to place his palm. Bob pressed his hand to the bottom. When his blood soaked into the paper, a black X appeared.

“It’s done.” Drew turned to walk away.

“Wait! That’s it?”

“What were you expecting?” Drew came to a halt and glared over his shoulder.

“I don’t know. I gave you my soul. I thought something magical would happen,” Bob said, his expression eager.

“Go home. She’ll call you. She won’t know why she’s compelled to do so, but she will.” Drew strode away, leaving the man standing under a tree. Drew thought he’d said his name was Bob, maybe it was Rob—it didn’t matter, the man was a fool for trading his soul. Drew made that same mistake a few centuries before, a decision he would spend eternity paying for.

He walked in the direction of the park, inhaling the fresh air. His nostrils filled with the scent of brimstone. No matter how many breaths he took, he couldn’t get rid of that smell. Drew wiped his nose with the back of his hand, as if this would help, and when it didn’t he kicked the bench.

“Damn it!” He fell back and landed with a thud. The bench was located near a small pond, the main centerpiece in the park. He tilted his face and basked in the rays of the sun.

The collar around his neck, binding him to his mistress, Demoness Olesha, seared his skin. The deal was complete and it would continue to burn him until he returned to his master. He grunted and got up. He wasn’t going back yet, if ever. He let out a bitter laugh. The thought of freedom was only a dream, and dreams were something he couldn’t afford.

The wind picked up, blowing Mackenzie’s long chestnut hair into her face, and the grocery bags in her arms partially obscured her view. She would find haven from the blustery fall weather in her apartment, a few blocks away. She dodged the people she could see, but bumped into several others.

She didn’t see him, but felt the impact, like a truck plowing her down. The bags flew from her hands and she fell backwards before landing on the concrete sidewalk. Wind rushed out of her lungs ,and she lay there, trying to force air back into her body.

“Are you okay?” a husky voice asked.

She tried to focus, but was dazed. Leaves and debris blew past. The quick movements made her stomach sick. She lay still for a few moments before attempting to sit.

“I must have run into a wall.”

The husky voice laughed. “That wasn’t a wall. I was in a hurry and didn’t see you. Sorry.”

Mackenzie tilted her head and found herself gazing into gray eyes. She searched his face, and noticed rugged features. Angular, strong cheekbones, and blonde hair secured at the nape of his neck. Handsome would have been an understatement,
this man was gorgeous
.

“Are you okay?” Worry lines creased his brow.

“Give me a minute.” She glanced around. Strangers enclosed her in a circle. Her cheeks flushed at all the attention. “I’m fine.”

He extended his hand. “Let me help you up.”

Unsure whether she would be able to stand alone, she accepted his hand and rose. Mackenzie wobbled before regaining her balance. She rubbed the back of her head, bringing her hand around to inspect for blood. There was none.

“I’m okay.”

People dispersed, talking amongst themselves.

“You look a little pale. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yeah.” She peered up at him. “You’re a big guy. I really thought I hit a wall.”

He laughed, pulling at the collar of his t-shirt.

“Is your neck okay?” she asked.

“Hmmm, what?”

“You’re rubbing your neck?”

He dropped his hands. “Yes, my neck is fine.”

“What happened to my bags?”

Drew pointed to her torn grocery bags about a foot away. A few boxes were open, but everything seemed to be there.

She reached down and grabbed them. “I better get going.”

“You still look a little shaken. Are you going to be home alone?”

There’s no way I’m telling this tank of a man that I live alone.

“No. I have a roommate.”

“Is your roommate home?”

“I’m not sure. Why?” She readjusted the bags.

“You hit your head pretty hard. I don’t think you should be alone. Do you live far from here?”

“No, a few blocks away.” The bags were heavy and her stomach tossed and turned.

“Here, I’ll help you carry them.” He reached for the bags, but her hands clasped them tighter.

“No, that’s okay, I’ve got them.”

He grunted. “I’m not going to hurt you.” He scanned the area before spotting a coffee shop across the street. “Why don’t you take your bags home, and meet me over there?” He pointed to the shop.

She hesitated before answering. “Alright, I’ll meet you there as soon as I’m done.”

Mackenzie ambled toward her apartment.
There’s something about him. I should scry when I get home and see what my future with him looks like.
She pursed her lips at the thought of her ex.
After what I saw with that loser, I may be better off leaving it a surprise.