My Soul to Win by Robin Roseau

Author:Robin Roseau [Roseau, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-29T22:00:00+00:00

Bound Human

She invited us into her castle. We strode the corridors until she brought us to the library. Before our eyes, it expanded, and more sofas and comfortable chairs materialized in the opened spaces. Theophania gestured, and we strode past her. But then Marley turned and placed herself before the demon. “How does this work?”

Theophania set her hands upon Marley’s shoulders. “You are a brave woman, Marley Mann.”

“I’m scared out of my gourd,” she replied.

“I really do wonder what all of you are doing here,” she said. “But perhaps we’ll get to that.” She slipped an arm – and one of her tails – around Marley and then got all of us moving to the chairs. She led Marley to one of the loungers and encouraged her to sit, then sat down on the foot of the lounger, looking at her. “I couldn’t normally do so, but you are in my home, and I could force this. Of course, if I did, I imagine Teigan would be quite upset with me.”

“You imagine quite correctly.”

“Five minutes,” Theophania said. “And then another five minutes during which you give me permission to drive.”

“Fine,” Marley said. “What’s in it for me?”

Theophania laughed. “Not a thing.” Marley folded her arms. “You’ll get to see what it’s like. You did say you wanted to see what it’s like.”

“No. Suzie did.”

“I misspoke. You said I should show you first. Are you changing your mind? Perhaps you are attempting a fresh negotiation.”

“I’m scared,” Marley said. “Teigan?”

Everyone, including Theophania, turned to look at me. “Theophania, I’d rather you and I work something out.”

“I know you would, Protector. I won’t hurt anyone.”

“You could leave a little of yourself behind.”

“No, I can’t,” she said. “But I don’t know how to prove it.”

“Theophania,” Kate said. “Do we need a written agreement?”

“If you wish,” Theophania said. “I would consider a verbal agreement on this part binding.”

“You agree you will do nothing with any lingering effects?” She talked for a minute or two. When she was done, Theophania simply said, “Yes.”

I paused. “Would you make a vow with your hand on my badge, Theophania?”

She rose from the lounge and walked to me. I stood to meet her. We stared into each other’s eyes. “I’m willing to try.”

“Marley?”

“If she makes a vow on your badge, I’ll let her do it.”

I pulled out the badge then waited. Theophania nodded, so I opened it. She looked at it then, quite hesitantly set her hand over the top. “I vow to hold myself to the agreement Katherine Everest has outlined. I intend no ill or lingering effects beyond the ones we’ve all agreed to discuss further.”

There was a flash, and I smiled. Theophania withdrew her hand, looking a little unsteady, but she smiled at me. “And that is far, far more attention than I would have liked.”

“I think there’s a lot of attention already,” I said. “What’s a little more?”

“Indeed.” She turned. “Marley Mann?”

“Five minutes, I get to drive, and then I’ll decide if I’m letting you drive.”

Theophania smiled then found her own chair.

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