by Tina Pollick
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, an
d 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.
Drew sat in a booth next to the window and tugged at the collar burning his skin. He wasn’t going back, not yet anyway. He thought about the woman he’d just met and laughed. I’d hardly call that meeting someone. I nearly flattened her. Something about her tugged at his gut. She was pretty, but not classically beautiful. Brown hair and brown eyes, nothing extraordinary, but her smile was amazing. He wasn’t sure if she would show, she seemed kind of skittish.
His hand tapped impatiently on the table top, his expression darkening. She was taking a lot longer then he thought it would take her to get home and get back. He was wasting precious time on this plane. If she didn’t want to come, all she had to do was say no. Why had he asked her for coffee anyway? He bumped into her, helped her up and that should have been the end, so why did he invite her here? His immediate attraction confused him, and no one was more surprised by the interest in a woman then him. From past experience, love was nothing but the beginning to a lifetime of heartbreak. Yet here he sat. He continued grumbling to himself as she walked in. She searched the coffee shop until her eyes met his, and walked toward him.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t going to show.” His annoyance threatened to shine through his words. He told himself the only reason he was annoyed to begin with was because he had limited time here, and it had nothing to do with feelings he desperately didn’t want to feel again.
She pulled off her scarf and jacket, and hung it on the hook attached to the booth before sitting down. “To tell you the truth, I wasn’t going to.”
“What made you change your mind?” Are you a glutton for punishment too?
She folded her hands on the table and glanced down.
“I don’t know.” She tucked a few loose strands of hair behind ear. When she met his eyes, she smiled.
“I’m Drew.” He extended his hand across the table.
“Mackenzie.” She unfolded her hands, reached for his, and grasped it.
He felt a jolt of electricity at the moment of contact. Drew never felt anything like this before. His stomach dropped, perspiration beaded on his forehead. He pulled his hand away. “Nice to meet you. Again, I’m sorry for knocking you over.” What the hell was that? If he knew what was good for himself he’d run out of there. He gazed into her big brown eyes and he couldn’t leave. What the fuck is wrong with me?
“To be fair, it was my fault too. I could barely see where I was going.” She shook her head and smiled. “You’re not the first person I bumped into today.”
They both laughed.
Her laugh sent shivers down his spine, and it took everything he had to stay seated. A battle of wills ensued inside him. On one hand a woman was the reason he was a slave, on the other he was ultimately responsible for his predicament. He could keep blaming his first love, but that was the lie he told himself to keep sane. It seemed he would have to face his past ghosts sooner then he liked.
The waitress came over and took their order, then left.
“I haven’t seen you around here before,” Mackenzie said.
“I’m here on business.” He shifted in his seat, trying to resist the urge to yank at the collar.
“What do you do?” she asked.
“I’m a broker,” he answered, and asked the next question before she could ask the dreaded, ‘What kind of broker are you?’ “What about you? Are you from around here? What do you do?”
She tapped her fingers on the table, waiting as the waitress placed coffee before them. “I’m an art student. I graduate next month. Hmm, let’s see. No, I’m not from this area, but I have lived here for the past four years while I attended college.”
He took a drink and her eyes widened.
“Isn’t yours hot?” she asked, steam drifting from her mug.
Not as hot as hell.
“Mine must not be as hot as yours.” He peered over his cup with a slight lilt to his lips. “What is your medium of preference?”
“You know how to use the word ‘medium’. I’m impressed.” She thought for a moment. “Photography first, then I guess it would be painting and sculpture.”
“That’s a large area, and all so different.”
Her fingers tapped rhythmically in time to her lyrical laugh. “Yeah, I guess it is.” Mackenzie glanced at her watch.
“Do you have some place you need to be?” Drew asked.
“No, and that was rude, I’m sorry. It’s just that I haven’t spent this much time with another man since my boyfriend and I broke up a year ago.” She grasped the mug between her fingers and rubbed them up and down the cup, before taking a sip. “I’m sorry, bad form to talk about ex’s. I don’t get out much,” she laughed.
“It’s fine. Neither do I.”
“It was really nice talking to you, Drew-“
Drew interrupted her. “This is where you insert the ‘but’.”
“No, I was going to say we should do it again soon. But I wasn’t sure how long you’d be in town.”
“That’s a good question. Hopefully a few days. I’d like to spend some more time with you.” Where the hell did that come from? He wanted it to be a lie, but no matter how much he wanted to deny it, he wanted to spend more time with her.
Mackenzie pulled a piece of paper and pen from her purse. She wrote down her number and gave it to him.
“Give me a call and we’ll do this again.”
She stood, grabbing her jacket and scarf. He helped her put it on. His fingertips brushed against her hand. The electricity was back, only stronger this time. He had never felt this kind of connection. Not even with the woman for whom he sold his soul for. He wished he could ask someone, but the only one who might know wasn’t going to tell him. He could hear the conversation now. ‘Olesha, I found someone who sends sparks through me, making me feel more alive than I have in centuries. Do you know anything about this?’ Yeah, that conversation definitely wasn’t going to happen.
“I’m glad I met you.” Drew tucked his hand in his pocket. He wanted to do or say something, but all he could do was stare into those beautiful eyes.
“Me too.”
She gave him a final glance, before making her way over to the door. She yanked it open, letting in the cold wind from outside, then she was gone. Drew grabbed his cell and dialed her number, unable to wait. The realization shocked him more than the electricity that hummed through his body.
“Hello,” Mackenzie said.
“Would you like to have dinner tonight?” Drew asked.
She giggled. “Drew? Um, yeah, sure.”
“Would you like me to pick you up?” he watched her through the glass.
“How about if you come over to my place?” She peered at him through the glass, and pointed to the next block. “Do you see the second building?”
Drew nodded.
“It’s apartment 6B. Push the buzzer and I’ll let you in. Will six be okay?”
He nodded again.
Mackenzie waved, “I’ll see you then.”
The phone call ended and she walked away from the window.
His happiness was quickly replaced by the agony the collar caused him. He slid his fingers underneath to give his skin a moment of respite. If she could see me collared like a dog, she would run away screaming. Maybe she should. Drew stepped outside into the cool air. You may own me, Olesha, but you will never control me.
Mackenzie placed the ivory linen over the table. She set two plates with silverware and wine glasses across from each other, then placed a white tapered candle sitting in a crystal dish in the center. She rushed into the kitchen and pulled the Chinese food
from the cartons, dumping them into glass dishes.
She tapped her finger on her cheek. I wonder if he’ll know it’s take out? She grabbed the cardboard containers, threw them in the trash, tied the bag and stuffed it in the closet. He won’t know.
The buzzer rang, and she went to the door and pressed the button. “Hello?”
“Mackenzie, it’s me, Drew.”
“Come on up.”
Mackenzie walked over to the mirror and gasped. Rollers covered her hair. “Shit!” She ran into the bathroom, and started plucking them out. Drew knocked on the door. “Hang on, I’ll be right there!” she yelled.
With all the rollers removed, she ran her fingers through her hair. She glanced at the mirror. “Guess this is as good as it’s gonna get.”
Mackenzie adjusted her camisole, ran her fingers through her hair one more time, and applied some last-minute lip gloss. She glanced down at her hands, trembling with anticipation.
She opened the door, catching her breath before it escaped. Drew wore light blue jeans, an open button-down flannel with a white t-shirt underneath, and a pair of black work boots. He smiled as he held a bottle of wine and waited while Mackenzie stared.
Drew cleared his throat. “May I come in?”
“Sorry, yes, please come in.” Mackenzie stepped to the side, closed the door, and followed Drew into the living room.
He handed her the bottle. “I wasn’t sure if you liked red or white wine. So I went with red.”
“Red is perfect, thank you.” She picked the wine glasses up from the table. Mackenzie went into the kitchen, opened the bottle, poured the wine and brought the full glasses back out. She handed one to Drew.
He took the glass with a smile. “Thank you.” He raised it and eyed her over the rim as he took a sip.
That look filled her insides with butterflies. As he held her gaze she almost sighed out loud, but the long gulp of wine silenced it.
“Let me give you the grand tour. This is the living room and dining area. The best part of this room is the view.” They walked over to the sliding glass doors and stepped onto the balcony overlooking the park.