Jasmine rolled her eyes and waited for Jeff to put everything away. “Well?”
Jeff unrolled the contract and squinted, turning it this way and that, even completely upside down before Jasmine snatched it in her claws and spread it on the ground. Sitting in the middle she quickly scanned the document until she found the ‘requests’ portion.
“Ah-ha! It says companion, not bride.” She jumped up and watched the contract roll up and close with a snap. “Your group has been barking up the wrong tree for years. I have a hunch and if correct, this contract has already been fulfilled.”
“What? No, there is no way… it’s not possible…how can you..?”
“Are you done blathering?” Now that an idea was forming in Jasmine’s mind, she wanted to get started.
Jeff snapped his mouth shut and glared at the Fury. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the wall determined to say nothing.
“What? No come back?” Jasmine shook her head, feigning disappointment. Done baiting the demon, she settled down, wrapped her tail around her feet and stared at Jeff. Every inch of her told him she was serious and ready to get to business.
Slowly he uncurled his arms and let them drop to his sides, then relaxed his back so he wasn’t leaning so rigidly against the wall. “Now what?” he asked.
“Now we figure out what happened to everyone who has tried to collect.” Jasmine stood up and stretched. “There is one other thing I don’t understand.”
“What’s that?” He pushed away from the wall and started walking toward the street.
“Why was I called in if there is no scorned woman?”
With her legs stretched out in front of her and her tail waving madly in the air, Jeff thought she looked more like a dog than a cat, but he wasn’t going to risk his life by saying anything. “Because we needed the help.”
“Ah, of course. You called in the best.” A smug smile slid across Jasmine’s face.
She looked so pleased with herself, that Jeff couldn’t help adding, “Yep, and when she disappeared, we called in the expendable.” He ducked out of the alley before Jasmine had time to grasp the insult. Her screech of outrage was his reward. He chuckled as he strolled down the sidewalk.
Jasmine stalked after the demon and sneered at him as she passed before promptly pushing him to the back of her mind.
A few minutes later, Jasmine crouched low against the sidewalk and sidled into the bushes next to the Puppet Master’s booth. She crept silently forward until she could touch the tent covering the booth. Slowly she stretched out her paw one claw extended and cut a slit from her head height to the floor – about six inches. She peered through hoping to see a shelf and not empty room. She’d have to move and start over if she’d managed to find the only space on the wall that wasn’t lined with a shelf of dolls.
Relief shot through her at the sight of toy legs and strings. Her luck had been off lately, but this time, it was working like a charm. She’d not only hit a shelf of dolls, she’d hit the one she wanted: the one lined with the demon look-a-likes. She started to crawl through the slit when something grabbed her tail. She fluffed out and swallowed a hiss. A not so gentle tug dragged her out of the tent.
“Did you forget about me? What do you want me to do while you’re in there?” he asked as he raised her to his face and looked her in the eye.
Jasmine folded her paws over her chest and jutted her lower jaw out – not an easy feat for a cat. “No,” she pouted. She wasn’t about to admit to anyone, much less the retrieval demon, that she had forgotten him. “Don’t you have an assignment you should be doing, anyway?”
Jeff attempted to ignore her sarcastic tone, but his mouth still twisted on one side and he dumped her unceremoniously to the ground. “Of course. Did you think I was just hanging here for health reasons?” Without waiting for an answer, Jeff turned on his heel and stalked away.
Now that Jeff was elsewhere, it was time for Jasmine to start her spy work. Somewhere in that booth was the answer. She wiggled back through the hole she’d made and climbed onto the shelf in front of the doll she thought looked like Cassy. Well, are you just a reminder for the nut case or are you something more? What really happened to everyone? Can I avoid it whatever it is? Circling the doll left her with more questions and very few answers. So far she’d gleaned that the Puppet Master kept likenesses of those he’d bested, but she still thought the dolls might be more than they seemed. This doll of Cassy is very life-like. How did he manage to catch such a likeness? It wasn’t the dress or the body, since Furies were shapeshifters, but the doll had something that reminded Jasmine strongly of the other Fury. If only she could put her paw on it.
Unblinking vivid blue eyes stared at her. Jasmine stared right back. Fury blue eyes? That’s not something that can be copied. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear this was Cassy!
“What are you doing here?”
Jasmine squeaked and jumped, nearly knocking the Cassy doll over. Slowly she turned to face the room. The voice had been right behind her and she knew she’d been discovered.
“You know why I’m here.”
The second squeaky voice caught Jasmine by surprise. The Puppet Master was entertaining? Jasmine sidled around the dolls clustering the shelf until she reached the side and could peer into the larger room.
The Puppet Master stood with his back to the Fury, hands on his hips and glaring down at his visitor. To Jasmine, he didn’t look very happy. “Why do you always want what’s mine?”
Yeah, that didn’t sound whiny. Jasmine covered her mouth with her paw, trying to hide a snicker. Grow a backbone, you dweeb. How can someone this wimpy have so much power?
Apparently, the visitor thought the same. He didn’t bother to hide his laughter. “I don’t want what’s yours. I want what belongs to me. You agreed to this arrangement.”
“Which one do you want this time?” Heaving a sigh, the Puppet Master swept an arm to the side and pointed at the bookshelves holding the demon dolls.
When he’d stepped aside Jasmine caught her first glimpse of the visitor. Horror coursed through her. She felt her eyes widen and her mouth drop into a silent ‘o’. No wonder he’s been able to avoid all efforts to collect. He’s had help.
The man now perusing the jumbled shelving unit was none other than Daddy Dearest’s right hand man…er…demon: Vespar. He looked like the demon version of an accountant, but Jasmine knew that he was much more dangerous than he looked. His grey pinstriped suit was pressed, high creases rose up the front of the pant legs and silver buttons gleamed at the cuffs and collars. His hair was slicked down and didn’t move with the slight motion the demon made. Even his shoes were shiny and Jasmine thought he might have even ironed the laces. He might look like hell’s accountant, but he commanded fifty legions and was in charge of creative employment for the contracted souls.
What is he doing here? Jasmine backed into the corner, wishing as hard as she could that he wouldn’t see her. Why is he interfering with this collection?
“I don’t want any of these. I want the cat.”
“Cat? What cat?”
Jasmine wasn’t confused. She knew who Vespar was talking about. She rolled into a ball of fur and huddled behind the Cassy doll. She didn’t know why he wanted her and something told her she didn’t want to find out.
“The one from this morning.”
“Jeff’s cat? Why do you want that thing?”
“It’s my business. And she’s not Jeff’s cat. If anything, I’d say that jumpstart demon belongs to her. Just get her.”
“How long with this one buy me?”
Buy him? What’s he talking about. Now Jasmine was getting confused. What kind of deal did the Puppet Master make with Vespar?
“Six months.”
“But…” the Puppet Master straightened to his full height. Something told Jasmine he wasn’t used to negotiating and wanted to come from a strong position. Too bad no one told him that he’d
already lost when he’d entered a Demon Contract. “This one sounds special. I want five years.”
“She’s not that special. Nine months.”
Jasmine’s jaw dropped. She didn’t know which surprised her more: that she wasn’t that important or that Vespar was negotiating. With a human?
“It’s a lot of work trying to corral a cat. Three years.”
“You won’t see me for one year if you can catch her. That’s my final offer.”
“I’ll take it. A year without you haunting me is well worth it.”
The two moved back to the front of the booth and Jasmine started to uncurl. She stretched her front paws, accidently knocking into the Cassy doll. The doll teetered, rocking forward toward the edge of the shelf. With an echoing crash, it fell off and landed in a heap.
“Who’s there?”
Shit! Jasmine thought. Dammit Cassy, even when you’re not real you still manage to get me in trouble. She dashed for the hole pushing her head and shoulders through before hands closed on her hips.
“What have we got here?”
Jasmine was lifted straight up and turned in midair. From very close range Jasmine stared at a pair of dull green eyes.
“You’re that cat from this morning.” He turned and carried her back to the main room of the booth. “I wonder why he wants you? You’re just a cat.” Setting her down on his table, he pulled out a chair and slumped down.
Gracefully, Jasmine turned to face him. Sitting on her haunches, she curled her tail around her feet and waited.
The Puppet Master leaned back studying her. “I don’t get it. You look, feel and smell like a cat. What’s so special that he’s willing to leave me alone for a year in exchange for you?”
“Who says I’m just a cat?”
Jasmine had taken a calculated risk talking to him. She figured he was used to dealing with demons after all this time so a little talking cat shouldn’t freak him out.
“Ah, now I see. You’re not a cat, are you?”
“No. I’m a Fury.”
“Yes, I can see you’re furry.”
Tired of the old joke, Jasmine sneered but otherwise made no comment. Waiting was the key here. Something told her that if she waited long enough he’d spill his secrets.
“I thought Furies avenged women. I haven’t wronged any. Why are you here?”
“I’m here because I want to be here.”
The Puppet Master snorted. “That’s a good one. Now, pull the other one. You don’t even know what you’ve walked into, do you?”
“I know enough.”
“Ha! You know nothing.”
Jasmine bristled. Nobody questioned her! “I know that your name is Peter but you like being called by your title.”
He’d jumped when she’d said his name. It had been centuries since he’d heard it. “Stop,” he interrupted. He didn’t want to hear any more.
It’s just as well, Jasmine thought. I didn’t have much else.
“I get it. I know what you’re after. The unfinished contract. It can’t be closed, you know. You’ll never find a bride willing to stay with me.”
“I don’t have to.”
He started. “How do you expect to collect without fulfilling the contract?”
“I believe it’s already been fulfilled. You’ve been living on borrowed time and it’s about to expire.”
Deciding it was a grand joke, he threw back his head and roared. He laughed until tears sprang from his eyes and he had to hold his stomach because it hurt. “Look around you, little Fury. Do you see a bride?”
“No, but…”
“Then how can you say the contract is fulfilled?”
“I can prove it.”
“At what cost?”
“Care to make a little wager?”
“That’s how I got into this little problem in the first place.”
“Hmm, interesting,” Jasmine murmured. There was a story there she just didn’t really care about. She was on a mission. But still… “What kind of deal did you make with Vespar?” Jasmine knew she’d just taken a wrong turn and wished she could swallow those words.
His eyes and lips narrowed, turning nasty. “That’s none of your business,” he spat.
Jasmine could see the wheels turning in his head and could almost guess what he was going to say next. She’d moved the conversation unto unstable ground and he was going to move it back. “About this wager; what are the stakes and how do I know you won’t cheat?”
“Cheat? Me?” Jasmine batted her eyelashes, trying for the innocent look. “I live for the game. Haven’t you heard of honor among thieves? Furies have their own code of honor.” She let her smile slip. “Do you really have a choice?”
He sat forward in his chair and leaned his elbows on the table. “The wager?” he prompted staring at her from the shortened distance.
“It’s simple enough. If I win, you surrender without further fight.”
“And if I win?”
“If you win, I’ll crawl into a ‘Kitty Carrier’ and let you give me to Vespar.”
He laughed. As if I’d need a ‘Kitty Carrier’. “No fuss, no muss, hmmm. Sounds reasonable.” He nodded, swallowing the last of his laughter. “And the bet?”
Jasmine had thought hard - in the short amount of time she’d had – about the contract. She had an idea about the dolls, but she wasn’t ready to spring it yet. She needed a bit of time. “The proof’s in the contract. If I can prove that it’s been fulfilled, I win.”
“Fine, show your hand.”
Jasmine feigned shock. “What? No time limit? No conditions? Just ‘show your hand’?”
“If you weren’t ready, why bother with the wager? I’m sure you would like to get this over with and I know I’d like my year to start immediately, if not sooner.”
Jasmine snorted. She was amused at his confidence. “So you think you’ve won? Fine, I’ll show my cards, but I’d like an hour to verify my hand.”
“An hour? But…”
“What’s another hour in the big scheme of things? Are you that anxious to surrender your soul?”
“I’m not going to lose. I’ve studied that contract intently through the centuries. There is nothing in it I’ve missed. Your side has not given me everything. But if you need another hour to put your affairs in order, then by all means, take it.” A deep clang rolled through the tent and Peter smiled. “Until the next bell?”
Jasmine graciously bowed her head. With a flick of her tail, she jumped from the table and sauntered to the booth entrance. “I do have one question. Why do you only collect demons?”
“Who says I do?”
Jasmine shuddered. She didn’t want to know what else he collected. She had a feeling it would make her sick. “I’ll be back in one hour,” she called over her shoulder as she slipped through the legs of a customer coming in. Sounds of a freaking out human and calls of ‘talking cat’ faded behind her as she weaved toward Jeff’s booth.
* * *
Jasmine rushed through the crowds heading for Jeff’s booth. She had one more question for the demon and he’d better know it or her life was over. She had no idea what Vespar wanted with her, but she knew it couldn’t be good.
She pushed through the crowd in front of the demon’s booth and made her way to the back. Once passed the curtain, she headed straight for the demon sitting against the back wall. Oh, good. He’s not doing anything important, she thought as approached him. Although, I’m sure I don’t want to know why he’s petting the booth. She could feel power moving but to her it was wild, undirected.
“Welcome back, cat. Did you find your answers?” Jeff stopped feeding energy into his spell and turned to face the Fury. His assignment was going well. With all the customers ignoring his booth, the artist would soon get bored and go exploring. Hopefully toward Jeff’s booth.
The cat crack stung, but Jasmine conceded she might have deserved that. Oh well. It’s not like I wasn’t expecting him to be moody. I did
basically dismiss him.
“Most of them. Did you know Vespar is in the area?”
“Vespar? The accountant? What’s he doing here?”
“Apparently he’s playing a little game of sabotage.” Jasmine shook her head. That was not what she was here for. “I made a deal with the little bugger.”
“Vespar?”
“No the other little bugger. The Puppet Master. Although it seems as if he’s not the one pulling the strings.”
Jeff’s eyebrow rose to his hairline. He couldn’t process what he was hearing. “You made a deal… with him?”
“Yes.”
“So… why are you here? I thought you would’ve had it wrapped up by now.”
Quickly she told him about the deal. “But there are some things I don’t know. Who was the first demon sent to collect him? And did he return?”
Jeff leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. “The first collector was Shar-anth.”
Jasmine gasped. Shar-anth was the number one Retrieval Demon ever. She hadn’t heard about him in a while but she knew he still held the record for most souls collected at one time. Come to think of it, everything I’ve heard about him is coached in terms of ‘was’ and ‘had been’ instead of ‘is’ and ‘has’. “Where’s he at?”
Jeff shrugged. “No one’s seen him in centuries. We think he got tired of the job and took a little vacation. He’s going to be in so much trouble when he finally surfaces.”
“Jeff, this is important. Did he disappear on assignment?”
“He never came back from his last…” Horror crossed Jeff’s face. “…assignment.”
“What powers were granted to Peter?”
“Control over other humans.”
“That won’t do much. Not really. But what if it was twisted?”
“Twisted how?”
“What if it could change people into dolls?”
Jeff shook his head. “It’s not possible. Do you know how much power it would take to hold them in doll form? The only way to get that power is to have something a Prince would want.”
Jasmine knew he wasn’t talking about a mortal prince, but… “What if one had entered a contract with the Puppet Master?”
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