Soul Broker

by Tina Pollick

  She kneed him in the nuts. “I said you’re a fucking dick!”

  Drew fell to the ground, hands pressed to his groin.

  “I’ll be over at the bench, When you can walk again, come over and we’ll talk.”

  “I… deserved that,” Drew grunted.

  “Yeah, you did.” Mackenzie left him on the ground and went over to the bench.

  The other parents watched her, faces painted with curiosity.

  “He didn’t pay his child support on time.” Mackenzie lifted the book, opened it, and stared at the pages.

  Drew came over a few minutes later. Mackenzie wished she could feel sorry for him, but she was drowning so much in her own rage and feelings of abandonment to feel anything for him.

  “Can we talk now?” Drew asked.

  “Yup, talk away.” Mackenzie continued to look at the book, turning a page every now and again.

  “Is that a good book?” Drew inquired.

  “Yeah it’s about a guy who didn’t have a one night stand. This guy-,” she tapped the page with her finger, “-he’s a family man.”

  Drew took it from her hands and flipped it over. “It might be easier to read this way.”

  Mackenzie slammed the book on the bench. “What do you want, Drew?”

  “It’s not what I want.” Drew turned and faced Mackenzie. “My Master wants Sophie.”

  Mackenzie leaned back on the wooden bench. “Did you say Master?”

  Drew nodded.

  “If I believed for a second that people in this day and age had Masters, what does yours want?” Mackenzie kept an eye on Sophie. She climbed up the wooden platforms of the playground, too small to step from one platform to the next, so she conned the kids into giving her a boost. Her ‘Oh please help me look’ was pathetic. Mackenzie laughed as the boys took turns lifting her up to the next level. That’s my girl.

  “She’s beautiful.” Drew smiled as he watched Sophie.

  “Yes, she is. Now tell me what your Master wants.” Mackenzie turned to face Drew, while still able to keep an eye on Sophie. Mackenzie didn’t know Drew well, hell she hardly knew him at all, but her gut was telling her he was telling the truth. Her instincts never failed her before, and she knew full well that things weren’t always what they seemed. She wasn’t going to tell him that, though.

  “Sophie.”

  “What do you mean, Sophie?”

  “She wants me to bring Sophie back with me. I have seventy-two, no make that, seventy-one hours to do it.”

  Mackenzie stood and started to run toward her daughter, but Drew grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “I didn’t say I would give that bitch our daughter. Now sit down before you scare her, and the other kids.”

  Mackenzie squared her shoulders and raised her head. “Neither you nor your Master will ever have Sophie. You may have been there for the conception, but that’s where your claim to her starts and stops. She is not our daughter, she’s mine. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, and I’m sorry.”

  “Good, now get your hands off me.”

  Drew released Mackenzie and she sat back down. She glanced around, and the other parents stared at her like she was crazy. Guess we’re not getting invited to any more play dates. She gave them a wave and forced a smile.

  Mackenzie took a few deep breaths to try and calm down. So much had happened in the last hour. She needed to clear her head so she could think clearly. “I want you to tell me everything, before I decide if I need to panic.”

  Drew lowered his gaze and turned away. She followed his view and took in the golden leaves blowing around the ground. Mackenzie’s frustration reached a new level. He was watching the leaves. What the hell was wrong with him? They had a lot to discuss. Sure, fall was her favorite time of year, and given any other situation she would have admired how beautiful they were too, but now was not the time.

  “I’m getting really close to panic mode. Drew? I’ll take some pictures for you, after you tell me what the hell is going on.”

  Drew raised his head and met her gaze. “I’m trying to decide where I should start.”

  “I would say the beginning, but honestly ,Drew, I need to know why someone wants my baby.” Mackenzie placed a hand on Drew’s shoulder. “Before you say anything else, you need to know I’ll kill anyone who tries to take her from me. I mean anyone, Drew.” She sat back, a watchful eye fastened to Sophie. She took a few slow, deep breaths..

  The sound of kids laughing and dogs barking in the distance grounded her. It was difficult to sit there and take this all in, but she had to know what she was up against. And Drew was the only one who had the information she needed.

  “I believe you.” Drew remained quiet for a moment. “I’ll start from the beginning, but I’ll keep it short. Okay?”

  Mackenzie nodded.

  “I was in love with a woman in my village, but she didn’t return those feelings. I wanted to find a way to make her love me.”

  “Village?”

  Drew didn’t flinch as he responded. “It was a long time ago.”

  “I’m going to go out on a limb here and say you’re a lot older than me. I’m also going to close my mouth and try very hard to stop interrupting.” Mackenzie had no idea how old Drew was, but from personal experience with other families, she knew that your life span wasn’t necessarily a mortal one. This was something she was not willing to share with Drew… yet.

  “That’s all you’re going to say. No questions? No, ‘how old are you’?”

  “You told me you have a Master, you disappeared and then reappeared. I want to know why. If you’re full of shit then I’ll have your ass arrested and sent some place where you can get the help you need. If you’re telling the truth I want to know everything. And just so you know, you can’t make someone love you.” Mackenzie’s thoughts drifted to her ex, who cheated on her. He was her first love, and she wanted more than anything to spend forever with him. Her friends told her he was scum, but all she could see was the knight in shining armor. Some knight he turned out to be, and right now Drew wasn’t turning out to be any better.

  Drew raised his brow. “I know that now. Are you going to let me finish?”

  “Sorry.” Mackenzie covered her mouth.

  Drew settled back on the wood plank.

  “Tales from other villagers spoke of a witch living in the forest, and she made potions… love potions.” Drew glanced at Mackenzie, her hand still firmly over her mouth. “I went into the forest and found the witch. She gave me a pink liquid, in exchange for my soul. I should have known better, I should’ve consulted my father, but I was so wrapped up in what I wanted, I didn’t.”

  Mackenzie dropped her hand.

  “Do you want me to continue?” Drew asked.

  “Yes, but don’t think I’m not making a list of questions.”

  Drew smiled. “I wouldn’t expect any less.”

  The smile vanished and his gaze grew distant. “I signed the contract, found my love outside tending the garden at her parent’s home. I fetched some water from the wooden barrel and poured the potion in. I handed it to her, and she accepted it with thanks. She drank it all, and handed me the cup. I stood there waiting for something to happen. She looked up at me like I’d lost my mind for staring at her. I excused myself and went home.”

  Drew leaned over, rested his elbows on his knees, and placed his face in his hands. He looked so distraught. It took everything Mackenzie had not to reach over and comfort him.

  He raised his head and continued. “She was pregnant by her betrothed. They hadn’t told her parents, hell, they didn’t tell anyone. The potion caused her to have a miscarriage. She fell in love with me, but was no longer able to bear children. She died a few years later. They said it was from consumption, but I knew it was from a broken heart.”

  Mackenzie reached over to comfort him, but Drew pulled away. “No, I don’t deserve your sympathy.”

  “It wasn’t sympathy. It hurts me to see you upset.” Mackenzi
e tried again, but he stood and faced her.

  “I was sent here to take Sophie, and you’re hurt by me being upset?” Drew paced in front of her. “My selfishness has caused this. There’s no one to blame but myself.”

  Mackenzie hurt for him. She wasn’t sure why she felt this way, but she wanted to comfort him with every fiber in her body. What the hell was wrong with her?

  “First off, you’ll never take Sophie. Second, yes, it was selfish, but don’t you think you’ve been punished enough?” Mackenzie knew first hand

  Drew stopped. “No, and I don’t want you or Sophie to pay for my mistakes.” He sat down. “When my father found out, he offered to intervene, but I was too ashamed so I left.”

  Mackenzie watched Drew, but he kept his eyes on the ground. “By selling your soul, you became a slave?”

  “No. After I left my village, the witch found me, except she wasn’t a witch. She was a demon named Olesha. She offered me a deal, and I took it.”

  “What kind of deal?”

  Drew turned and looked at Mackenzie. He towered her, his gray eyes filled with secrets yet to be spoken. “The kind I can’t tell you.”

  “You’re kidding me, right? This bitch wants my daughter. You will tell me!”

  Drew remained silent.

  She stood and made as though walking away. Drew caught her arm and pulled her back.

  “I’m guessing your balls are feeling better.” She glanced down at them.

  Drew released her. “No, actually they still hurt, but I can’t tell you any more. I’m going to keep you both safe, but you’ve got to trust me.”

  She lifted her chin and glared at him. “Give me one reason why I should trust you, when you don’t trust me enough to tell me everything like you said you would?”

  Drew rubbed his hand across her cheek. “Do you feel that?”

  Mackenzie wanted to say no. She wanted to tell him that she didn’t feel the electricity dance across her skin, but she couldn’t. She nodded.

  “I feel it too. Trust me.”

  Mackenzie’s heart sped up and she swallowed hard. Trust was the one thing she couldn’t give him. He hurt her once. She wasn’t going to give him the opportunity to do it again. And now she had Sophie to think about. Her gut clenched at the thought of her daughter being taken away. How would she be able to defeat a demon? She trembled . Trust the man before her, or try and defeat a demon on her own.

  “I can’t trust you, but I will accept your help.” She glanced down at his watch. “We don’t have much time. What’s your plan?”

  “My father offered his help before; let’s go see if he will still help me.”

  “That’s your plan? Go ask your dad to help us?” Mackenzie resisted the urge to grab Sophie and flee. She felt powerless, and putting her faith in someone she barely knew was a horrible idea. But right now it was the only option she had. This big strong man is running to daddy for help. We must be in a shitload of trouble.

  Drew grinned, “He’s not your average dad.”

  They were heading toward Sophie when Mackenzie stopped.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “What am I going to tell Sophie, about you?” She started chewing on her already short nails.

  “Tell her I’m a friend.”

  Drew continued walking.

  “Wait!”

  Drew stopped and turned toward her.

  “That’s it? You’re not going to insist we tell her that you’re her father?”

  “No. I have nothing to offer either of you. My only concern is that you’re both safe.”

  Sophie spotted her and came running to her.

  “Momma!” Sophie squealed.

  Mackenzie picked her up and held tight. Sophie struggled to get down. Mackenzie released the hold and placed Sophie on her hip. “Sophie, this is Drew. He’s mommy’s friend.”

  Sophie buried her face into Mackenzie’s shoulder.

  “Sophie.” Mackenzie turned to the side, trying to see her face. “Sophie. Hey, look at mom.”

  Sophie peeked her eyes out and a big grin spread across her face, revealing the dimple on her right cheek. “Are you playing shy?” Mackenzie tickled Sophie’s belly until she was wiggling out of her arms. Mackenzie set her down.

  Drew knelt and smiled. “Hello, Sophie.”

  “Hi,” Sophie whispered.

  Mackenzie bent down and scooped her up. “Let’s go.”

  “Do you need to go home first?” Drew stood and followed.

  “How long will we be gone?”

  “I don’t know, but three days for certain.”

  “Yeah, I need to pack a bag for Sophie.” They continued toward her apartment. “You never told me who your dad was.”

  “Poseidon.”

  Mackenzie stopped. “Are you kidding me?”

  Drew continued walking. “No.”

  “Drew! Drew, wait.” Mackenzie ran up to him, Sophie bouncing on her hip. “You can’t just say a mythical Greek God and walk away.”

  “I’ll explain later, but we need to go. We’re running out of time.”

  Drew, Mackenzie and Sophie arrived at her apartment. Mackenzie carried Sophie down the hallway.

  “You know where everything is, make yourself at home,” she said.

  Drew inhaled and Mackenzie’s scent, roses, filled him. He wandered around, stopping at the table. The last time he had seen it, there was a candle, china and Chinese food. Now crayons, coloring books and paint filled the space. He picked up a picture, traced the scribbles, and set it down.

  Mackenzie called to him. “Drew, is it going to be cold where we’re going?”

  “No, it’ll be warm.”

  He ambled into the kitchen, where Sophie’s artwork covered the refrigerator. A smile spread across his face while he examined each piece as if he were in an art gallery displaying famous paintings.

  Mackenzie peeked into the room. “She’s quite the artist.”

  Drew turned, startled. “Yes, she is.”

  “I’m trying to pack for an unknown destination and an indefinite length of stay. I need more information. It’s not me I’m worried about, it’s Sophie.”

  Drew approached Mackenzie. He lifted his hand and brushed away a few strands of hair. She pulled away.

  “Drew-.”

  “I’m sorry. I had no right.” He moved away, shoulders slumped, and picked up a picture from the fridge. “May I have this?”

  Mackenzie nodded.

  “I have less than three days, afterward one of two things is going to happen.” He folded the picture and placed it in the pocket of his black leather jacket. “Olesha is going to offer someone their freedom to bring Sophie back to her. If that happens, they will kill you. “

  Mackenzie gasped and wrapped her arms around her waist.

  “I would say she will bring me back when the seventy hours are up, but she’s a bitch, and she’ll enjoy watching me suffer first.”

  “I see. Well, just so you know, I’m not going to make it easy on them, to take Sophie or to kill me.”

  “Neither will I.”

  Mackenzie cleared her throat, her eyes glossy with terror, but she refused to let the tears fall. Drew wanted to pull her into an embrace and tell her everything would be okay, but how could he? He wasn’t sure how things were going to turn out. The next best thing was to make sure they were both comfortable. He was taking them to his favorite spot. He could almost smell the salty air and feel the warm breeze that blew in.

  “We’re going to my place near the ocean.”

  “Um, we have less than three days and we’re hundreds of miles away from the ocean. How are we going to get there?”

  “I will transport us. We’ll be there in minutes.”

  “I should be afraid of what you mean by transport, but at this point we could get there by bicycle and I wouldn’t care.”

  “Do you need any help?”

  “No.” Mackenzie turned and walked away.

  Drew left the kitchen and went to
her bookshelf, filled with books, but in between he noticed several rocks, crystals, a pendulum, an amulet and a sage stick. He picked up the crystals. They burned his skin so he dropped them.

  I know that amulet. That’s the symbol for Renea’s coven. Mackenzie is into witchcraft or is she a witch? No wonder she barely blinked when I mentioned my father or said I would transport us. Very interesting.

  Drew heard the pitter patter of little feet coming down the hallway. Sophie came to a halt when she spotted Drew. She gave him a small smile and then turned around and ran back the other way.

  Drew laughed as he headed down to the bedroom.

  He approached the door and stopped, watching as Mackenzie talked to Sophie.

  The walls, painted pink, matched the pink gingham checkered curtains. A small, white canopy bed was in the corner of the room. The dresser and small desk matched the white bed. In the corner closest to the door, a toy box filled with toys flowed onto the pastel area rug. Pictures of ballerinas and princesses covered the walls.

  Mackenzie sat on the floor ,holding a stuffed toy in each hand. “Do you want Mr. Bunny or Mrs. Bear?”

  “Whoose getting da’ one I don’t pick?”

  Mackenzie dropped them both and pulled Sophie into her lap.

  “Nobody, baby.” Mackenzie kissed the top of her head then turned Sophie so she faced her. “We’re going on an adventure. We’ll be gone for a few days, and I wanted to make sure you had one of your friends with you. When we come back, you can play with the ones we don’t take with us.”

  Sophie placed her hand on her cheek, tapping her finger against it. “I ‘sink Midd’er Bunny wants to go fe’r an adventure.” She picked the bunny up and held it close. “Yew’ll be a gu’d bunny, right?” She placed him on top of the bag. “He’s ‘wready, mommy.”

  Drew walked in as Mackenzie stood.

  “Are you guys all set?” he asked.

  “I need to get a couple things from the living room.”

  Mackenzie grabbed a small black vinyl backpack, partially full, and left.

  Sophie stood watching Drew.

  “Do you have everything ,Sophie?”

  Sophie nodded. She reached down and picked up the bunny.

  “Is that your friend?”