Page 7 of Sinful Demands

The man’s eyes widened before he started begging. “Please, I didn’t mean it, I swear!”

Not believing him, I conjured my magic, scouring his memories. What I found had me shaking my head in disdain. “You have been an addict for over five years. This is the third time you overdosed, and two of them were on purpose. You stopped yourself seconds before you did it because you knew you were going to die, but you wanted to. Now tell me again how you didn’t mean it.”

“How do you know? Who are you?”

“I’m a soul collector. I take souls from Earth to their final realm.”

“Please, don’t take mine! I changed my mind. Let me live.”

“I’m not a necromancer, and even if I was, your fate isn’t mine to be judged. Beg to the king, not me.”

The presence of another demon sparked my senses, letting me know they crossed the barrier between the living and the dead. Althaea landed right next to me with a triumphant smile, which quickly faded with anger.

“That’s my soul, Zell. Get your own!”

I rolled my eyes again, which seemed to be a common theme during my earthly visit. “Calm down, Althaea. I found him while passing by.”

The spirit peered back and forth between us before he burst into tears. Not wanting to waste my time tending to human emotions, it was my cue to leave.

“Have fun with this one,” I called over my shoulder.

Althaea sighed, knowing she had her hands full. “Thanks.”

Once back at the bar, I used my magic to sense how many souls were in the building.

Only one. Kavari’s.

Holding my palm flat, I summoned a cellular device to call the bar with. Having magic was amazing, and I often wondered how the hell humans managed to survive without it.

The sounds of a ringing phone came through the door and she ignored it.

Five.

Six.

Seven rings later, she finally answered, and she sounded pissed. “Mack’s bar, we’re closed!”

“I’m sorry to disturb you, Kavari. This is Zell.”

“Umm, okay.” Her shocked voice smoothly transitioned into customer service mode. “What can I help you with?”

“I think I may have dropped my keys in the bar, and since I was planning on sleeping in the car tonight, I require them.”

“Oh, I have already cleaned everything and I haven’t seen them.”

Utilizing my magic, I made a set of keys appear on the floor next to the stool I had previously used.

“I hate to bother you, but can you check one more time for me?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t . . .” When she got quiet, I knew she had found them. “Well, if it was a snake, it would’ve bit me.”

“You found them?” The surprise in my voice even convinced me.

“Come to the front door and I’ll hand them off.” The phone went silent, and I immediately went to the next part of my plan.

Yes, I am a demon and could force her to do what I wanted, but what fun would it be?

The locks clicked before she swung the door open, leaving bells jingling in the background. Her eyes widened the minute they landed on my “condition.”

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