Borrowed Souls (Soul Charmer #1)(75)
“She’s awake,” he reported to the Charmer. He projected menace, though not as much as Derek. Probably another soul repo man, but his vibe was a little more of an ex-club kid who had decided to bulk up and become the bouncer.
The Charmer turned his wicked gaze to Callie. Dark, insidious intentions danced within his dilated pupils. “That’s your cue.”
She managed not to choke. “Excuse me?”
“Finish your job, and you can take him home. Well, to your home.”
“What’s left to do? Did you not catch the part where I tracked, tranquilized, and kidnapped a woman on your behalf tonight?” Saying it aloud did not make it sound better.
“Find out why she thought it wise to steal from me.” Venom should have dribbled down his chin.
“I don’t know enough to do that. She’ll be scared of you.”
“You’re scared of me.” The lack of inflection or accusation only made the bald truth starker.
Agreeing wasn’t necessary. “My hands—”
“—will be an asset. You may go get my answers, or you may leave. Without him.”
She shot a look to Derek. The bleeding had stopped, but he needed observation from a person who gave a shit.
“He stays until I have answers.” The Charmer’s hiss coiled around Callie’s abdomen squeezing like the boa constrictor he’d likely been in a past life. “Your choice.”
“Fine. Where is she?”
The Soul Charmer’s henchman didn’t flinch as the rickety steps descending into the shop’s basement swayed under his weight. He didn’t bother to introduce himself, but the Charmer had made it clear she was to follow him. The head-shop scent from above didn’t filter through the floorboards. The wood and sandstone of the lower level cocooned them in dank depression. Her guide unlocked a door and gestured for her to enter.
“She’s inside,” he rumbled.
The pellets of anxiety she’d hidden between her ribs rattled. Her breath quickened, her lungs pressing hard and fast against her bones to keep her steady. “You coming with?” He wasn’t Derek, but they both technically worked for Team Creep.
Her hope for aid was dashed with his scoff. “She’s your problem. I’ll be out here.”
Not much comfort, bucko. Could he hear the tittering clacking of her fear inside her torso? He pointed to the door again. That was probably a no.
This was for Derek. She repeated the mantra in her head with each step toward the doorway. She might have hesitated at the precipice, if it were an option. The force of the magic the Soul Charmer had placed on the room sucked Callie forward, almost like she had no will of her own. Which sounded about fucking right. The Charmer was holding someone she cared about upstairs. Agreeing under duress was simply what she did in his presence. Naturally the barrier of his makeshift prison would yank her inside.
The walls were bare and the concrete floor smattered with sawdust. Below fluorescent lighting, Tess sat in the center of the room, bound to an aluminum chair. The darts had been removed from her chest and shoulder, but small bloodstains remained. Rustred reminders. They’d doped Tess significantly, and yet she was awake. Was Tess a horse in a former life, or did magic supersize one’s metabolic rate? Callie shook the thought away. She needed answers, and fast. Tess would give her the information she needed, she’d update the Charmer, and then get Derek the hell out of here. Right. She nodded to herself and took two steady, boss-lady steps toward Tess.
The woman lifted her head. Tess’s cheek was swollen, likely thanks to Mr. Friendly outside, but the developing bruise didn’t diminish the cruel, knowing look she cast Callie. It worked, too. The cache of fears between her ribs exploded. Buckshot of terror, worry, and weakness assaulted her core. Organs were bruised. Bones were fractured. Muscles were torn. Her heart double-timed it. But pumping blood faster wouldn’t slow the pain or ebb the rising tide of worthlessness.
Who was she kidding? Interrogating Tess was so far out of her wheelhouse she’d need a plane ticket and two boats to even see the thing. This was the woman who had tracked her to the retirement home, and to the diner as well. She’d watched her. She’d known an awful lot about Callie’s life. She’d bet Tess even knew about her deal with Ford, though how well she knew the mobster was anyone’s guess. How could Callie turn the tables on her? Tess was batshit, but could playing into her ego work when they were locked in the Soul Charmer’s basement? Not likely. Her chest burned. Derek would have had an answer here. He’d have known what to do. Unfortunately, he was busy sleeping off a knife wound upstairs.
How was this her life?
Tess’s laugher did more than get under Callie’s skin; it separated the chest wall, tearing muscles and ligaments along the way. Callie coughed in response. It was obvious which of them was in charge. This was going to suck.
“I overestimated your worth, little bird. You’re far too scared to be of service.”
Callie had been called worse, but it still stung. Pretending you didn’t care about failure was difficult. She’d mastered it to avoid Zara zeroing in on her. Tess wouldn’t get the joy of seeing her flinch. The truth was: failing now wasn’t an option. Callie gritted her teeth until her jaw ached. The soreness helped hone her mind. Derek had protected her time and again. Now it was her turn to return the favor. How could she succeed at saving Josh if she couldn’t even walk out of this situation a winner?