Chapter 27

Tucker’s POV


Los Angeles, California. The witch opened a portal and brought me here. She decided to come with me, supposedly so that I don’t run off. “Why did you choose this location?” I asked Mina.
“See, devils love places like clubs where people are willing to do anything to achieve their dreams. No place has bigger dreamers than Los Angeles. We are here to look for a specific devil, Lucifer.” She said simply. I shrugged, unsure what to say to that, who hasn’t heard of Lucifer? We went to a hotel and checked into a room with two queen sized beds. I freshened up in the bathroom and got dressed in a pair of slacks, a tight black shirt and ran my fingers through my hair. On one hand, I was stoked to be out of that stupid house where I’ve spent the past several months, on the other hand I was anxious to get this task done and nervous about what a devil will demand in trade.
“Let’s go.” Mina said as I exited the bathroom. She was dressed in a short and tight black dress with black heels and her red hair was long and straight hanging down to her butt. My wolf was purring and I did my best to keep it within my chest so she wouldn’t hear. Even though I broke the bond between us, there was a part of myself, that frustrated me to no end, that wanted her. The more time we spent together, the worse it got. I closed my eyes and thought of Cyn. My sweet Cyn.
I followed Mina out of the room and we went to the elevator. The ride was awkward and full of tension. I was eager to get back home so I could see Cyn. It’s been so long since I’ve held her in my arms and kissed her lush, red lips.
“Focus on the mission.” Mina hissed at me. I gave her a pointed look and sighed, I can’t get the love of my life out of my head and it’s distracting me.
We walked out of the elevator and into the lobby, her heels clicking on the hard tile floor. The doors automatically opened for us into the nightlife of the L.A. streets and she hailed a taxi. We climbed into the back and she gave him directions to a club called Sizzle. After a short ride, we arrived. The line was around the block and I wasn’t sure how we were supposed to get in.
“Don’t worry so much,” Mina told me. I looked at her confusedly, how did she know?
“Oh come on, your face is so easy to read. You have an adorable scrunch between your eyes.” She tapped me between the eyes and turned to walk directly to the bouncer. He looked her up and down, checking her out and I couldn’t hold in the growl that escaped my chest. She looked back at me in confusion and then turned her attention back to the bouncer.
“Let me in, Lucifer is expecting us, my name is Mina.” She told him. He tapped a button on the piece in his ear and verified the information.
The bouncer grunted in response to whatever they said and granted us entry.
“You have an appointment? Why then do you even need me if you guys seem to be such good friends?” I complained, something didn’t feel right.
Mina looked over her shoulder at me, her chocolate brown eyes looking into my hazel eyes. “You’ll see.” She turned around and continued strutting forward, her hips swaying slightly, as she made her way to a VIP room. The room was guarded by two large muscle men who let us pass after verifying the appointment. We walked into the room and were greeted by one of the tallest men I’ve ever seen, dressed in an all black suit. He had to be 6’4, his hair was a dirty blonde color and he had deep blue eyes. His clean shaven chin was jutted out in a way that suggested a defiant nature and he had a smirk on his face. “So good to see you Mina, love.” He greeted her while ignoring my presence.
“I brought a bargaining chip.” She called out to him with a strong voice. Her spine was rigid as he searched her face.
“What could I possibly want more than you?” He drawled.
“I was thinking about your collection of souls, you don’t have a wolf soul, do you?” She asked. My mouth was agape as I looked at her in disbelief. Wolf soul. She wants me to bargain my wolf soul. What does that mean for me?
Lucifer rubbed his chin in thought, “you bring up an interesting point. Is what you want still the same? My blood?”
“Yes, I can’t do my spell without it.” Her voice broke a little, making me wonder what this spell is.
Lucifer turned his attention towards me, “boy, are you willing to bargain your soul?”
I stuttered, “I-I don’t know, sir.”
He cracked a crooked grin and stood, when he reached me he towered over me only a few inches but it may as well have been miles taller with his oppressive aura.
“I just need the soul of your wolf. You see you’re lucky, werewolves are gifted two souls. I simply want the wolf one. You can still live as a human” He smiled.
“What will you do with my wolf?” I asked, worriedly.
“It will be kept in my collection in Hell.” He then laughed heartily, “trust me, the souls there have fun, they won’t burn.”
*Do it.* my wolf beckoned.
*I don’t think I can,* I retorted.
I could hear my wolf snort internally. *Do you want to be a prisoner for the rest of our lives? I will be fine, think of Cyn*
I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. Okay, I’m going to do it. I looked Lucifer in the eyes and gave a short nod in agreement. He withdrew a small knife that seemed to be made with a bone handle, and gave himself a small cut before reaching for my hand and repeating the motion. I winced a little from the sharpness of the blood. Lucifer grabbed my bleeding hand in a handshake and I felt something within me begin to tear. I gasped, trying to catch my breath and clawing at my throat. Lucifer gave me a sinister grin and cackled. Tears streamed down my face as I felt my soul tear in two. After what felt like hours the pain disappeared and was replaced with a hollow feeling. I opened my eyes and saw Mina with vials of blood. She grabbed me by the arm and tried to help me up. I groaned and forced my legs to steady.
“Let’s get out of here.” She whispered as she helped me leave.
People were still dancing and having the time of their lives while I felt like I lost an important piece of myself. The contrast was staggering. I winced as I walked, still unused to the pain of having part of myself gone. Mina supported me on the walk out and to outside the club where she hailed another taxi back to the hotel. She shoved me into the back seat and followed. The car ride was unbearably silent as we rode back.
When we finally made it back into the room I collapsed on the bed face first, groaning.
“You held up your end of the bargain. You’re free now. Where do you want to go first?” She asked me. I turned my head to look at her. “I want to go home but don’t forget you promised me something else.”
“What was it?” She asked confused.
“You promised to remove my girl’s mark. I think I deserve that much after everything I had to give up. Why didn’t you tell me he wanted my soul?” I asked angrily. She moved back and looked unsure, “I knew you wouldn’t agree.”
“You put me on the spot!” I growled while standing.
She looked nervously around, “I’ll take care of your girl’s mark!”
“You better, or else.” I grunted at her. “Now take me home.”
She nodded fiercely and chanted in place before I felt myself turn to mist. After the pressure of misting out of L.A. and back to Oregon, I sucked in a deep breath, thankful to be back on solid ground. I looked around and found myself in front of my grandmother’s house. I turned with weary steps towards her front porch and then entered without knocking. I heard a slight shuffling before I saw her appear in front of me.
“Tucker! Where have you been? Are you hurt? Thank the goddess you’re alright!” She nearly screamed in my ear.
“I’m back grandma. Where’s Cyn?” I asked her.
“She’s still at Josh’s house. Let me call her, she’s been a nervous wreck.” She scurried off to get her phone. I felt Mina walk in the house behind me, her presence felt calming as I thought about removing Alex’s mark from Cyn. Something occurred to me while I was waiting on grandma to get back.
“What did you need Lucifer’s blood for?” I asked her.
She looked down and her eyes misted over, “my mother has been sick for a long time, I’ve been working on a spell and that’s the last ingredient. You have to understand I was desperate and I couldn’t bring myself to be with Lucifer the way he wanted. I can’t be with a devil like him, he’d destroy me. When you agreed to my terms, it was the first time I had hope. But please, don’t hate me. In the end you’re free and your woman will be free of her mark.”
I tried to calm myself and to make my mind agree with her. I lost one of the most important pieces of my life but in the end I found someone who can help Cyn.
Grandma walked back in the room and had a strange look on her face.
“Um, she said she’ll come by later, they’re at a club right now.”
“She’s at a club and she’s not willing to leave to see me?” I asked in disbelief. What the fuck? I would drop everything to see her and she’s out having fun?
“She’s been going to clubs every night this week, I’ve had a strange feeling about it. Something has changed in her.” Grandma said.
“Which club? I’m headed that way.” I asked.
“She said she’s at Sin’s tonight.”
I looked around for my keys and stalked towards the driveway with Mina in tow.