But red light flashes across the alleyway, and when you glance back, the monster is already gone. It’s as if it evaporated into thin air.
How could that be!?
“Piece o’ cake,” Hot Guy says with a smug grin, turning back to you. “Okay, human.” His palm smacks the brick wall beside your head as he leans in. “It’s time we talkpayment.”
You swallow hard.
Crap.
Crap, crap, crap.
Now that the monster is gone, you’re starting to realize just what kind of trouble you’ve got yourself into.
You promised a complete stranger—one who seems to have magic powers—anythinghe wants.
“Okay,” you say, trying to keep your voice from shaking. “Tell me what you want.”
“Oh, nothing much.” His evil smirk glints as he leans in close to your ear and growls, “Just…your soul.”
“My soul?” You squeak, clasping your hands over your mouth. “But I think I need that!”
He just grins.
“Well, then. Guess you should have thought of thatbeforeyou made the deal, huh?” He lowers his voice to a low rumble, and his eyes glint as he says, “Unless, of course, you’re planning to back out of our agreement, that is.”
“No!” You insist on reflex. You’re not a liar or a cheater, after all. You made your bed, and now you intend to sleep in it.
“Don’t worry,” Mysterious Hot Book Guy laughs, setting one hand on top of your head. His fingers are warm and strangely comforting against your hair, and you have to remind yourself you probably shouldn’t be feeling comforted by a guy who is about to steal your soul.
Though—is it really stealing if you made a deal for it?
“Don’t be so tense,” he growls in your ear. “That’ll only make it more difficult. Now relax. This will only tickle a little.”
What the!?
“Tickle?!” You protest, but he only chuckles. Like this is all fun and games to him.
And maybe it is.
You brace for—well, you’re not actually sure what you’re expecting.
You glance back up the dark alley, toward the street. Is it too late to turn and run? Maybe you’d be better off a liar and a cheater, after all.
But you’re honest to a fault. And now it may be your demise.
“Okay,” you whisper, squeezing your eyes shut. “I’m ready.”
You hold your breath, preparing for the worst.
But the worst never comes.
Mysterious Hot Book Guy pulls away, and you tentatively open your eyes. To your surprise and confusion, he breaks into laughter.
“Relax, relax!” He doubles over with hands on his knees. When he stands up again, he wipes his eyes and says, “I’m just messing with you. What would I want with a pathetic little human soul, anyway?”
Ouch. Well, he didn’t have to be such a jerk about it.
You cross your arms. “Hey. That’s not very nice.”
