Soul Trade (28 page)

“Yes,” Belial said.

“Bullshit,” Jack snapped. “I know you. You’re a tricky bastard, and you’d never make a deal if there wasn’t some third angle working in the back.”

“There
is
no
angle,” Belial retorted. “I want to bargain. What about that is so hard to believe?”

All at once, Pete recognized the emotion on the demon’s face. The fact that there was an emotion to be seen was startling enough, but even more alarming was that it was fear. Demons didn’t feel fear. Even when Abbadon had escaped and Belial’s responsibility was to bring him back, he hadn’t shown fear.

“It’s already happened, hasn’t it?” she asked. “You’re on the outs.”

Belial flared his nostrils. “The other Princes and I aren’t on the best of terms,” he said. “But I still rule. I am still one of the Triumverate.”

Pete looked to Jack. “He’s scared enough to play straight with you,” she said.

Jack sighed. Pete silently willed him to take the bargain. She’d never thought it would come to this,
hoping for a bargain with a spawn of the pit, but if it would get Jack out from under the yoke of the Morrigan, then almost anything would be worth it.

“All right,” he said to Belial at last. “You’ve got me.”

“Us,” Pete said. Belial flicked his eyes to her.

“Excuse me?”

Pete stood to face him. When Belial was in his human form, she was nearly as tall as the demon. “You want Jack, you get me,
too,” she said. “I’m not leaving him with you again.”

Belial sniffed, as if she were a teenager clinging to her boyfriend’s arm. “Fine,” he said. “Two is as good as one, I suppose. And you, you little harbinger of doom…” He reached out and flicked his fingers across her cheek, before Jack’s growl dissuaded him. “How could I resist?”

The demon walked a few feet away, then glared over his shoulder.
“Well?” he said. “What are we waiting for?”

Pete picked up her bag. “Margaret,” she called. “You wait right here, luv, and Lawrence will be ’round to get you in just a moment.”

“Pete…” Margaret said, face crinkling with concern.

“I’ll be back before you know it,” Pete said.

She turned to walk with Jack and squeezed his hand with her free one. He didn’t say anything, but he squeezed in return.

They followed the demon, Pete’s heart in her throat, until all she could hear was the beating of it, and the scream of the train whistle as it rumbled from the station, leaving her and Jack behind.

Also by
Caitlin Kittredge

B
LACK
L
ONDON SERIES

Street Magic

Demon Bound

Bone Gods

Devil’s Business

N
OCTURNE
C
ITY SERIES

Night Life

Pure Blood

Second Skin

Witch Craft

Daemon’s Mark

Acclaim for Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series

“Takes supernatural shadows to the next level. Kittredge knows how to create a believable world, and her fans will enjoy the mix of magic and city grit.”

—Publishers Weekly

“Crackles with conflict and perilous magic … For those who love their urban fantasy hypnotically treacherous, this book’s for you!”

—RT Book Reviews

“
Street Magic
jumps right in to nonstop supernatural action, taking urban fantasy fans on a wild ride.”

—Darque Reviews

“This is a dark, visceral read that sucks you in and doesn’t let you up for air. That is part of my intense love for this series … It hit all my buttons: ghosts, magic, demons, cemeteries, England, moors, fog, supernatural creatures, ancient deities. The way things ended, I am seriously
anxious to see what is happening next. Go out and get this!”

—Night Owl Romance

… and the Nocturne City novels

“
Pure Blood
pounds along hard on the heels of
Night Life
, and is every bit as much fun as the first in the series. With a gutsy, likable protagonist and a well-made fantasy world,
Pure Blood
is real enough to make you think twice about locking your doors at night. A swiftly paced plot,
a growing cast of solid supporting characters, and a lead character you can actually care about—Kittredge is a winner.”

—Jim Butcher

“I loved the mystery and the smart, gutsy heroine.”

—Karen Chance,
New York Times
bestselling author of
Claimed by Shadow

“A nonstop thriller laced with a ferociously deadly menace. Count on Kittredge’s heroine to never say die!”

—RT Book Reviews

“Kittredge
takes readers on a dark adventure complete with thrills, chills, and a touch of romance. Well written … and impossible to set down.”

—
Darque Reviews

“Fast-paced, sexy, and witty with many more interesting characters than I have time to mention. I’m looking forward to reading more stories in the exciting Nocturne City series.”

—
Fresh Fiction

“Wow, I am still thinking about this book. The last
time I reacted to a book this way, it was the first Mercy Thompson book by Patricia Briggs. If you are looking for a book that seamlessly blends a police procedural with a paranormal, go out and get this book.”

—
Night Owl Romance

“A tense, gritty urban fantasy that grips the audience from the onset.”

—
Mystery Gazette

“Caitlin Kittredge just keeps honing her craft with each new book.
Second
Skin
has some pretty creepy elements and page-turning action. Readers who enjoy good solid urban fantasy will enjoy this installment.”

—
A Romance Review

“
Night Life
dived right into the action, and carried me along for the ride … If the following books are written with the same care and interest as
Night Life
, they will be a welcome addition to this fantasy genre.”

—Armchair Interviews

“Kittredge’s
amazing writing ability shines through in this wonderful tale of murder, magic, and mayhem … The intriguing plot grips you from the very first page and takes you on a roller-coaster thrill ride with an ending that will leave you gasping for more.”

—
Romance Junkies

“If you’re looking for a good paranormal mystery and enjoy reading about shapeshifters, give Caitlin Kittredge’s work a try!”

—
Bitten by Books

“Hot, hip, and fast-paced, I couldn’t put [
Night Life
] down. Don’t go to bed with this book—it will keep you up all night. It’s that good.”

—Lilith Saintcrow, national bestselling author of
Working for the Devil

“Luna is tough, smart, and fierce, hiding a conflicted and insecure nature behind her drive for justice and independence, without falling into cliché … A lot of fun to
read.”

—Kat Richardson, national bestselling author of
Poltergeist

About the Author

CAITLIN KITTREDGE is the author of the Black London and Nocturne City series, as well as several short stories. She is the proud owner of an English degree, two cats, a morbid imagination, a taste for black clothing, punk rock, and comic books. She’s lucky enough to write full time and watches far too many trashy horror movies. Visit her websites at
www.caitlinkittredge.com
to learn more.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

SOUL TRADE

Copyright © 2012 by Caitlin Kittredge.

All rights reserved.

For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

www.stmartins.com

eISBN: 9781466807143

St. Martin’s Paperbacks
edition / September 2012

St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.