Borrowed Souls (Soul Charmer #1)(94)

“And what exactly is it you’re about to do?” His hardened gaze sent a shiver down her spine. Goosebumps prickled her skin in its wake.

“I think I’m going to tell the Charmer to fuck himself.”


Derek had made several strong arguments as to why changing her relationship with Gem City’s Soul Charmer was an awful idea. He was probably right. His ardent need to keep her safe warmed her heart, but the trust deal went both ways, and he had to trust that she was making the right decision for herself.

She’d texted her mom from the street outside the Charmer’s shop. After all soul magic name drops and the way Zara had stormed out the other day, it didn’t hurt to touch base. She didn’t receive a reply. That was okay. She’d deal with one family crisis at a time. The way she always had.

She’d rescued Josh. He might not stay clean, but she’d do her best to help him try. Derek helped her understand that, which was why she was striding into the Soul Charmer’s store with the most confidence she’d carried in years. Derek had remained at her apartment when she left, proving he was really in this relationship for her. She didn’t need to worry over him now. It was time to push the Charmer in a new direction and see how greedy he could really be.

She tugged her sleeve down to cover her palm and tapped the ancient brass bell. The Charmer’s head poked out from between the back entrance’s curtains in seconds.

“Ah, Calliope. You already have my answers?”

She ignored the condescension coating the Charmer’s words. She was in the dank storefront for a single reason. “No, I’ve decided I need more from you if you want more from me.”

While Callie was eager to go back to her real life. Back to mornings with Louisa. And nights with Derek that didn’t involve a magic flask. She was a realist. The magic wasn’t as terrifying as it had been even a week before. If she had to carry it, she wanted to get more than a “good job” from the greasy old man who strong-armed her into wielding it in the first place.

“Not your decision,” the Charmer hissed.

“Wrong. We made a deal. You changed the terms, and now I’m doing the same.” His bone-melting stare wouldn’t break her. Her need to reclaim her life was too strong.

He skittered toward her.

“My magic is inside you.” His gaze assaulted her, but the pervert hadn’t stabbed a flag in her torso in the name of God and country.

“If it’s inside me, then it’s mine now, not yours.” Every stutter-step the Charmer took toward her cranked her internal flight response another notch higher, and dialed back her confidence level with equal measure.

“Is that what I should tell the police officer who was here this morning?”

Her hand collided with the counter as her balance faltered. “What?” she choked out.

“Someone—a petite woman—broke into a police substation, and she burned a crime technician. Horrible business, really. The police came to me for help, as the perpetrator’s fingerprints were illegible.” His nearly toothless grin turned Callie’s stomach.

Her hands began to heat as he moved within a few feet from her. The flight response was on lockdown. Her feet had melded to the grimy floor under the Charmer’s threat.

Prison. Felon. Criminal. The words blazed her mind. She had saved her brother, but the cost? She turned into exactly what her mother told her she would: a failure.

The Charmer watched closely as tears welled in Callie’s eyes. He continued speaking as though they meant nothing to him. “At the time I couldn’t remember providing my services to any women. I don’t keep written records, you know. But after the officer left, something jogged my memory. Do you think I should I call them back, tell them I’ve suddenly remembered something?”

“No.” At least she didn’t sputter. Callie hauled in a behemoth breath and quelled the impending tears. Regaining control of her life was too important to let fear get in the way. “I think you need to hear my revision to our arrangement.”

“You do, do you?” He was practically laughing in her face.

Her earlier bravado might be squished beneath her soles, but she had enough pride to push her goal: “Make me your apprentice.”

That got him. The Soul Charmer’s jaw dropped enough to give Callie a too-long look at the man’s silver teeth.

His silence allowed her strength to grow. “Will you teach me how to use this magic in exchange for my continued services in finding your competition?”

“Apprentice.” The grin was back. Fuck. He stared past her breasts, clearly seeing the soul beneath her sternum. He seemed lost in thought for a long time. “Yes,” he finally answered. “While you obtain the information I need, I will help you understand that which you wield.”

“Okay.” Such a mild word for the roaring conflict in her belly.

She’d entered his store in the name of regaining control and power. She’d gotten what she’d asked for, but didn’t quite feel like she’d won. Magic offered strength, but the taint wouldn’t wash off when she was done. Callie refocused on what was important: Her brother was safe and she’d found someone outside her family who earned and respected her loyalty. She could survive this.

If it took learning his craft and finding his enemies, she would find a way to escape the Soul Charmer.