Page 15 of Judge of Saints and Sinners

“What’s happening?”

Forcing myself to step away, I moved around the frozen man, taking in the shining badge at his waist, the ugly sneer on his lips, and the way she shifted nervously. Even now she was thinking about making a run for it. I almost laughed.

Of course my soul bond would be a pain in the ass. I was unable to keep the smirk out of my voice when I spoke again. “Got yourself in a bit of a situation, haven’t you, little thief?”

She glared. “I was handling it just fine.”

“Clearly.”

She blinked rapidly then backed up a bit, raising one slender digit and moving as if she was going to jab me in the face with it. Humor sparked in my chest at the fierce look on her face. I smothered it with great effort.

“Excuse you, but you don’t get to just show up and—” her throat bobbed as she looked around us once more at the frozen area “—do whatever the fuck this is.”

I coughed to cover up my surprised laugh. Her hand suddenly slammed back to her face.

“Oh my God, am I dead?”

Now I did actually snort out a short laugh, dropping my chin to hide the smile that surprised me. When I’d collected myself, I met her eyes once again. “No, not dead. But like I said, you are definitely in a situation with this one.” I jabbed a thumb at the male who had been shouting at her. “Care to explain?”

“To you?” She squared up at me again, sharp features tight.

“To the demon who has the capacity to get you out of it.”

Her eyes darted around the alleyway then back to me. “Demon?”

I gestured down at myself. “Demon.” Pretending my skin didn’t prickle as her gaze coasted over me once again. I could see the soft pink tip of her tongue sweep out, brushing over that full bottom lip with a move that made long-dormant desire simmer to life in my gut.

“You don’t look like a demon.”

I huffed out a breath, a half snarl on my lips. “Because you've met so many.”

She sputtered at me, which very nearly made another smile curl my lips. Cursing, I rubbed a hand over my face as she stomped a little in place before addressing me again. “Okay, fine, this is definitely weird. As long as I’m really not dead—”

“Not dead.”

She nearly spat in fury, continuing straight through my comment, “Then you are here to…what? Offer me a deal I can’t resist?”

I sighed loudly. “That was your idea. I just came for the deal. Any deal is fine. I’m not picky.”

Dark-red brows crinkled as she stared at me. “So what do I do now? Throw out some conditions and we shake on it?”

“Oh, it’s far more complicated than that.”

“Of course it is.”

“First”—I mimicked her earlier pose, holding up one finger in front of her face—“you tell me what the fuck is happening here. Then I decide whether I’m going to help you. Then we put it in…writing. So to say.”

Her teeth were busy working her lower lip, which was more distracting than I’d like to admit. My chest felt warm and fuzzy as I watched her, which immediately pissed me off.

“Or you can try again with him? Since it was obviously going so well.”

She considered me for a long time before her narrow shoulders dropped a little. “Fine. It's not like I have another choice.”

I didn't answer but stood stoically watching her.

“I stole money from him. Well, from his girlfriend.”

My brows rose, but I didn’t move a muscle. There was more coming, I could feel it.