How could I ever forget making a deal with him when I was five to save my mom? If only she hadn’t chosen to make us hot dogs for lunch that day, she wouldn’t have choked. And he would’ve never came to my door and been able to trick me into promising him my soul.
When I don’t answer he takes a slow breath and then sighs. My eyes snap open in time to watch him squat next to the dying man. Mr. Wellington’s humongous frame dwarfs him, but the boy exudes power, and is in total control of the situation at hand. Mr. Wellington’s skin is a faint shade of blue, signs of no circulation—heart attack victim this time. The demon bends down and slips a faint whisper—words I can’t hear—in Mr. Wellington’s ear. He closes his eyes and slowly nods.
I’ve never figured out what the demon says to the people he steals souls from, but whatever it is he promises them, they always say yes. He knows what gets to a person. He knows what it takes for a person to hand over their soul to him, just like how he knew how to get to me when I was a kid.
Mr. Wellington attempts to extend his shaky hand to the demonic boy. The boy’s eyes light up and his little pink lips curve into an angelic smile. The demon shakes the outstretched hand. When their skin meet, my palm screams with the same electrical shock I felt when I shook the boy’s hand. I can feel the energy that flows between them as they seal the deal. A low grunt escapes my lips and I grimace from the pain. Every time he makes a deal in my presence and shakes a hand I’m tortured.
Without warning the little boy whips his head toward me, his gray eyes flash a blinding, white light. “Natalie, close your eyes.”
The vibration in my bones heightens as the demon exerts more power. On command, my eyes snap shut once more, and I bury my face into my knees. He always tells me not to watch. My index fingers jam into my ears, but I can still hear Mr. Wellington’s screams while the demon finishes off what the heart attack started.
Curiosity wins out and I peek over my knees. It’s like a car wreck. I can’t help but to look.
My body trembles as the soul of the man darts through his open mouth. It hovers like a see-through angel above him. A black-glass vial positions beneath Mr. Wellington’s hovering soul. The demon chants some foreign language and his eyes glow a brilliant white as he says the last word. His fingers twist off the lid of the vial. Mr. Wellington’s soul morphs into a ball of white light and bounces in a current of air. It’s ready to be collected.
The demon extends the black vial away from his body. His white eyes stare at the hovering ball of energy, like if he blinks it will disappear. The soul shrinks to the size of a dust particle and plummets into the tiny, glass container. After the demon double checks the lid, he stuffs it back into his pocket like it’s a pack of gum. Mr. Wellington’s lifeless body is all that’s left behind. Cold and unmoving.
The demon always kills them. Not once has he ever left a person who made a deal alive. Not one, except me.
Acknowledgements
First I want to thank you, the reader, without you writing would be meaningless. The love and support I feel from you guys drives me to keep writing. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Next comes my writing pals! You ladies truly inspire me and make me want to be a better writer. Thank you for talking me off the ledge many times and threatening to kick my ass when I get down. You three, Emily Snow, Katie Ashley, and Kelli Maine, mean the world to me and I am so unbelievably happy we’ve been through this crazy writing journey together. You guys are my eagle eyes. Thanks for everything you’ve taught me about the business over the years. Love you guys. GGBT foreva!
To Kristen Proby, I value our friendship and am so glad 2012 led you into my little smutty writing circle!
My new friends in the romance book blogging community, you know who you are. Thank you for pimping me and my work. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate every Facebook share, retweet, post, review, author day and any way you’ve spread the word about my novels. You guys rock so much and are turning the publishing world upside down with your awesomeness! You guys are the life blood of all of us indie writers. We couldn’t do it without you.
Tanya Keetch, aka THE WORD MAID, thank you for your keen editing eyes and always being there for me in a pinch. I am so thankful our paths crossed and am happy to call you a friend.
To Cris Soriaga Hadarly thank you for being one of the best readers EVER! Thank you for all the time and hard work you put into making fan trailers for this series. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched them and just sat in awe of your mad ninja skills! Thank you for everything you do.
Holly Malgieri, my girl and one of favorite partners in crime. Thank you for all the laughs, interesting pictures and most of all for always putting together my book tours. I know how much work goes into coordinating them, and I want you to know I appreciate every minute you’ve spent on it. You rock, girlie!
My girls in Rock the Heart Discussion group, you all make me smile every day! Thank you for all your love, support and friendship.
Last, but never least, a huge thank you to my family. Thank you for putting up with an empty refrigerator, piles of dirty laundry and me hiding away until this novella was done. You guys are the best, and I couldn’t/wouldn’t do this without you. Love you lots.
About the Author
New York Times Best Selling author Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned author of erotic romance of novels. Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos and sexy musicians inspired her sexy BLACK FALCON series.
Find her:
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-A-Valentine/477823962249268?ref=hl
Twitter
@M_A_Valentine
Blog:
http://michelleavalentine.blogspot.com/
Table of Contents
Dedication
Black Falcon Series Reading Order
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
ROCK MY BED (Black Falcon, #2)
Demon at My Door
Chapter 1
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Rock the Band Page 9