Soul Broker

by Tina Pollick

  “Olesha was my mistress, and like all mistresses, I grew tired of her and sent her away. You see my wife, Amphitrite, and I have an understanding of sorts. I find comfort elsewhere, and so does she. When it came to your mother, she was a rare treasure, one I had to possess. And of course I did. I knew our time together would be short, as humans have a short life span.”

  “I don’t want to hear about all your infidelities! Are you responsible for me being a slave?”

  Poseidon laughed. “You went to the witch, you gave the girl the drink, you were the cause of her heart break and eventually her death. Not me, son.”

  Drew’s heart sank. For a moment he thought he wasn’t to blame for his life being a disaster, but he knew his father’s words were true. Those were his decisions. He was the one ultimately responsible for the death of two lives, and if he was honest with himself, the destruction of hundreds more. No matter what his father’s relationship with Olesha was or wasn’t, no one had made him do the things he’d done to bring him to this point.

  “You’re right. I did all of those things.” Drew spun around, this conversation was over and without the help he hoped to receive..

  “Where are you going?”

  He stopped, his back to his father. With the weight of the world resting on his shoulders and the lives of two of the most important people counting on him, he said, “To try and find a way to save my family.”

  The word family rolled off his tongue with ease and honesty. He knew he couldn’t keep them, but Mackenzie and Sophie were his family.

  “I didn’t say I wouldn’t help, and I didn’t say that your predicament with Olesha was your fault. I said the girl’s fate, the one you gave the potion to, was your responsibility.”

  Drew turned, his face red, jaw clenched. “I don’t have time for games, Father. Tell me what it is you want me to know.”

  Poseidon rubbed his neck. “Your contract with Olesha is not valid, and therefore she has no claim to Sophie.”

  The soft sand fell out from underneath Drew. Time stood still.

  “Go take your family home. I’ll deal with Olesha.”

  With that, Poseidon was gone.

  Olesha draped herself across white satin sheets. Her fiery red hair mingled with the speckles of crimson. The demi-god slave lay next to her, covered in his own blood, unconscious. She lifted his arm, and let it go on the mattress. She twisted sideways, placed her heels against his side and pushed, and watched him fall to the ground with a loud thump. She waved her hand and he was gone, chained to the wall until she needed his services again.

  She twirled a long strand around her finger and purred. “They don’t make demi-gods like they used to.”

  Red sheer curtains were pulled aside, revealing muscular biceps. Then he entered the chamber. Poseidon. The aroma that clung to the air changed from brimstone to moist and salty.

  “It’s not the demi-gods; it’s the sadistic bitch who owns them.”

  He unleashed his aura, filling up the room. Olesha’s lungs burned, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of showing anything, but pleasure by his presence.

  “Aww, you say the sweetest things.” She raked her nails across her bare breasts.

  “Only you would consider that sweet.” He inspected every inch of the room, then sat in a chair, facing the bed.

  Olesha swung her legs over the end of the bed, spreading her legs and exposing her moist core. “Is your wife not keeping you happy?” She started rubbing her swollen nub, in slow ,small circles. “Did you come here for this?”

  Poseidon cleared his throat. “No. I came to talk to you about my son and granddaughter.”

  She could smell his arousal. Poseidon still wanted her, and she loved knowing that. His sexual desires would be his downfall, and she was more than willing to be the one to make it happen.

  Olesha pouted and stood. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” She grabbed a lace see-through black gown and sashayed from the room. Feeling Poseidon’s eyes on her ass, she put a little extra sway into her strut.

  She entered the throne room and examined each of her slaves.

  She wanted to choose the right ones to get the job done, before Poseidon knew what happened. Keeping him busy for a few hours wouldn’t be a problem. She laughed to herself, recalling the times when they spent days in bed, fucking. That was before the human bitch took him away from her. She sighed, and then let out a low chuckle. It didn’t matter. Olesha ruined Drew’s life.

  If Poseidon knew all the tasks she made Drew perform, he would probably try to kill her. Oh well, Drew will be dead and Poseidon will never know. Gods think they control everything. She chuckled again, the slaves watching as her eyes flashed from red to black, then back to red again. She tapped her fingernail to her cheek. Who would be best to send to kill the three of them? Eeney, meeney, miney, moe. She stopped before Barak.

  “What would you be willing to do to earn your freedom?”

  He went to speak, but she covered his mouth. “Shhh. It was a rhetorical question. I’ll tell you. Anything, am I right?”

  He nodded and she withdrew her hand.

  She took a few more steps, then stopped. She placed her hand on Kasta’s chest. “You would do anything I asked, too. Wouldn’t you?”

  He nodded.

  She crossed to the other side where more slaves were chained to the wall, and continued her inspection. The other two were fine for muscle, but she needed someone to lead, someone they feared. She stopped in front of Eaton. His dark hair clung to his shoulders. Slate-blue eyes glared at Olesha. Yeah, he hated her, enough to do anything to get out of his contract.

  “And you. Eaton, you will lead them. Won’t you?”

  Eaton’s jaw tensed as he ground his teeth. She could only imagine what he must be thinking. After their last little sexcapade, he was probably still sore. Demi-gods don’t heal as quickly as gods do. Castration must be a bitch.

  She glanced down at his dick, and ran her fingernails under his sack. He tensed, but didn’t utter a word. She ran a nail along his shaft, light enough not to draw blood, but hard enough that he didn’t get an erection. She heard his teeth grinding, while perspiration covered his brow. He’s scared. Good.

  She stopped fondling his manhood and placed her palm on his cheek. “If you succeed, you will be free.” She reached down with her other hand, grabbed his sack, and squeezed until he screamed. “If you don’t, every time your dick and nuts heal, I’ll chop them off again. And I’ll do this until I become bored, which may take centuries. Understand?”

  He nodded, sweat pouring down his face.

  She released him and stood by the pool. She waved her hand and the men selected for the task joined her. The water changed into a mirror. First the image of a little girl, then her mother, and finally Drew appeared.

  “I want them all dead. You have four hours. Bring me back Drew’s collar, it’ll fall off when he’s no longer alive.”

  She could keep Poseidon busy for four hours without a problem. It would take at least that long for foreplay. He’d be pissed about Drew’s death, but she would worry about that when the time came. Right now, she intended to send these idiots off to a certain death, for at least one of them. Drew wouldn’t go down easy, he would probably end up killing at least one before he was killed. While they were taking care of Drew she was going to play with her former lover. It had been such a long time since she had a god. They could take and dish out as much as her. Her nub throbbed at the thought of all the ways they would get bloody.

  They all glanced at each other, but no one spoke.

  “And boys…failure isn’t an option.”

  She waved her hand and they were gone.

  Poseidon waited in the room. Olesha was up to something, but he didn’t know what—yet. He hated that she still aroused him, but hated himself even more that he could be sexually attracted to a woman who ruined his son’s life. He was here for one reason and one reason only—free Drew.

  She d
ropped her gown to the floor as she entered the room. She approached the bed, pulled the sheet off, and replaced it with another one. She crawled on all fours across the bed and bent her index finger, motioning for him to join her.

  “That’s not what I came for, Olesha.”

  She crept to the edge of the bed. “We’ve got time to play, and then we’ll talk.”

  Poseidon resisted the urge to pick her up, slam her against the wall, and fuck the shit out of her. It had been too long since he was able to find a satisfactory release. He was gentle with Drew’s mother, because she never brought the animalistic side of him out, and he loved her for that. With Olesha it was always wild, crazy sex, that lasted for days sometimes. He always felt satisfied sexually when he left her bed, but he always felt like an animal for days afterward.

  He stood and approached the bed. Maybe a little pleasure before they got down to business? He could accomplish two tasks while he was here. Find a much needed release for his animalistic side and get his son’s freedom. Olesha was always in a much better mood after they had sex, so this would help the negotiations go a lot smoother.

  “It has been too long.” Poseidon lifted her from the bed. She wrapped her legs around his waist. With a thought his clothes disappeared, and with another he thrust inside her.

  “This is pre-negotiation sex, nothing has changed.” He thrust harder, burying himself to the hilt.

  A moan escaped her lips as Olesha dug her nails into him, and blood spilled down his back. “I wouldn’t think it was anything but. Now fuck me harder.”

  Drew walked back to the house. His head spun with all the things his father told him. He wanted to be angry about his relationship with Olesha. The word mistress burned his throat like acid, so much so he couldn’t spit it out. The fact Olesha targeted Drew didn’t change his past actions. His true love died because of him. He caused her so much pain. He shook his head as if the simple act could somehow get rid of the memories.

  He wasn’t worthy of love. Once Mackenzie and Sophie were safe, he was going to go far away. He didn’t want his taint to rub off onto them. These two girls were the only thing that mattered to him, and he would do whatever it took to ensure their ‘safe’ happiness, even if it meant a lifetime of ‘dangerous’ misery for him.

  He kicked the sand with his bare foot. He wouldn’t allow himself to dream about them being a real family. No, Drew would spend his days alone. He laughed to himself. After all the lives he helped destroy, being alone didn’t seem to really compensate for all the heartache he helped to inflict.

  He knelt, and the waves rolled in, soaking his jeans. The water always calmed him, it helped clear his head. He wondered if it would have the same effect on Sophie. He stayed there for a few more moments, lost in thought, and then a scream shattered the peace.

  Mackenzie!

  He jumped to his feet and ran toward the house. He arrived in front, only to find Mackenzie and Sophie surrounded by three men—Eaton, Kastas, and Barak.

  That bitch must have offered them their freedom. That’s the only explanation for them to be here.

  He approached the men with caution. He took one step and then another, careful not to make any noise. Kastas and Barak’s backs were turned to him, but Eaton faced him. He stayed close to the palm trees and jungle grass, to try and stayed concealed until he could figure out how to get Mackenzie out of there safely. Drew inched toward Barak, who was closest to him, when Eaton called out.

  “That’s far enough, Drew.”

  Drew stopped. “She offered you your freedom?”

  Eaton nodded. “I want to make this quick and painless.”

  “You mean you want us to lie down and let you slaughter us? I’m sorry, old friend, but I can’t allow that.”

  Drew took another step, and Eaton countered, moving closer to Mackenzie and Sophie.

  “If it comes down to it, kill me,” Eaton said, as he lunged at Mackenzie.

  She grabbed Sophie and fell to the ground, covering her with her body. Eaton bounced off the force field Mackenzie erected.

  Eaton fell to the ground, his mouth open. Drew imagined his face looked as shocked as Eaton’s did. He had no idea she had active powers. He no longer wondered if she was a witch, he was certain now. That explained why she had the emblem from Renea’s coven. Things were starting to make sense to him now.

  Mackenzie turned her head toward Drew. “Can you get Sophie to safety?”

  “Yes, but I will not leave you to face them yourself.”

  “That’s mighty kind of you, jackass, but I meant can you send her to safety while we take care of these assholes?”

  Drew laughed, and then nodded.

  Mackenzie reached under Sophie and pulled a lace free from her shoe. She tied one end around her wrist.

  Drew watched as she brushed Sophie’s hair her from her face. “Listen to me, baby.”

  Sophie whimpered from underneath her, but nodded.

  If it was possible for his soul to shatter into a million pieces, it would have at that moment. Sophie’s little body trembled under Mackenzie. She kept her tone soothing, and Sophie responded to her mother’s calmness. Amazing.

  “Drew is going to send you someplace safe. The second we’re done here I’ll come and get you.” She kissed the top of her head.

  “I’m scared, mumma,” Sophie said.

  “I know, sweetheart. I need you to be brave for mommy. I love you, baby.” Mackenzie wiped the tears from her face. She glanced toward Drew and nodded.

  Mackenzie dropped the shield, Drew ran and dove, catching the string in his hand, and they were gone.

  Mackenzie stood, brushing the sand from her pants.

  Eaton said, “You shouldn’t have done that. I was going to make your death quick, but I will torture you until I get you to bring your daughter back.”

  Mackenzie laughed. “Bring it, asshole.”

  Kastas took a few steps toward her, but Eaton raised his hand. “It’s not your balls on the line, she’s mine.”

  Kastas joined Barak, who now stood next to a palm tree.

  “Did you plan on fighting?” Kastas asked Barak.

  “It doesn’t take three demi-gods to capture one woman.”

  “She’s not a woman, you idiot. She’s a witch.”

  “Still a mortal.”

  Mackenzie had been distracted for a moment, listening to those monsters banter back and forth, and that was all it took for Eaton to make his move.

  He grabbed her from behind, restraining her arms so she couldn’t move. Her first instinct was to kick and scream, but she pushed that down with everything she had, and remained calm. She leaned back into his grip, twisted, and brought her right leg up and down into his knee. She heard a loud snap, as her heel caught the side of it. She raised her leg, preparing to strike again.

  Eaton dropped down to his other knee, bringing Mackenzie down with him. He wobbled to the side and let out a string of curses. His grip loosened for a moment. Mackenzie twisted to the side, raised her arms, and jabbed her elbow into his chest. A whoosh left Eaton’s lungs. She stood and kicked him in the chest, knocking him back into the sand. Mackenzie took off, running toward the water, unsure where she was going.

  She heard Eaton call out, ‘You will die very slowly, you bitch!’, but she didn’t look back.

  She had meant to previously scout the area, but there hadn’t been enough time. Where the hell is Drew? She followed the footprints that hadn’t washed away. She didn’t know where this direction led, but it was the same path Drew had taken earlier. She ran where the sand was wet. It was packed solid, and almost felt like she was running on concrete.

  She took a quick glance over her shoulder. All three were closing ground fast. She needed to increase her pace, but fatigue had already set in. Note to self, need more exercise. She rounded a bend, and large, rough hands grabbed her. A strong hand quieted the scream that threatened to escape her mouth.

  “It’s me,” Drew whispered.

  “I
thought,” she panted, “I thought you-“

  “Never. We need to head into the jungle. I don’t want to kill them if we don’t have to.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  Drew grabbed her arm and pulled her into the thick foliage. “Later, Mackenzie, we need to put some distance between us and them.”

  Drew pushed through the jungle, dragging her behind him. She found every low branch and stump there was, managing to trip or stumble over them all.

  She pulled free from him after traveling for about thirty minutes. Thick jungle bush and stray branches beat at her legs and ankles as she ran. Palm trees swayed above her head, blocking the sun, but the insects swarmed her and seemed to like the sweat that dripped down her back. She swatted at the bugs that circled her. “I need to stop and catch my breath.”

  Drew pointed to the top of the hill she hadn’t realized they were climbing. “Can you make up to there?”

  She nodded, too winded to speak.

  “We’ll rest once we get there.”

  They reached the top of the hill in the jungle. Mackenzie doubled over, breathing hard. She was a lot tougher then she looked. The distance they traveled would’ve knocked most grown men on their ass, but she hung in there every step of the way. Drew felt proud when he glanced over at her. They covered about five miles through the jungle, heading up-hill, and she kept up with him for the most part.

  Still doubled over, Mackenzie turned her head sideways to face Drew. “I take it the talk with your dad didn’t go well?”

  Drew approached her and she put her hand up to him. He stopped where he was. “I thought it went well. He said he was going to talk to my Master.”

  “Yeah, I’m guessing the conversation with her didn’t go very well. Or else he would’ve been back by now.”

  “I don’t know what happened.”

  Mackenzie stood straight. “Where’s Sophie?”

  “She’s safe.”

  She took a few steps, an arm’s length away. “I assumed you were taking her somewhere safe. I want to know where she’s at.”