Seven Sins (1-3)

JUDGEMENT

I'm not one for indecision, but the overwhelming desire to make David mine battled with the hope that Mr. Anderson could actually save him. I'd been given a second chance at life, and David deserved one too.

The breeze drifted a can across the alley and I knew Mr. Anderson was waiting for me to make my move. If the rancid smell was any indicator, he'd probably been hiding in a dumpster.

He'd definitely watched too many bad detective movies... With one last defiant glare into the dark alley, I hopped the three steps back to the bar and ripped open the door.

"Stay with me," David pleaded. My skin tingled with the desire to make him surrender completely.

It'd only take... I glared at him over my shoulder, feigning disgust. "I didn't mean for this to happen.

Let's pretend it didn't happen and you let me go after my girlfriend."

Even as I said the words, I knew they were empty. The rune across my stomach that she'd activated when we'd first met was now dormant. It didn't burn, it didn't sting, it didn't do anything.

Whatever my prophecy needed from her, it'd already gotten it. She's one of the seven... but she's not one of the four.

His eyes followed me with a sad puppy stare as I turned away. I escaped into the drunken laughter and droning music that pounded against my chest and hesitated once the door had closed.

Searching for Sarah, I ran my thumb across the small ring around my pinkie finger before blundering through the crowd.

"Sarah!" I shouted, ignoring my reflection in the bartender's mirror that showed my hair spiked out at the ends like a crazed lunatic.

We had to get out of here. We had to get some distance from Mr. Anderson before he connered me and slapped on those handcuffs he was so fond of.

In any other case, handcuffs sounded like a good time, but not when it came to Detective Anderson. He was not only immune to my powers, but now he had his evidence.

Real pictures of me leeching David's life. I might as well have thrown my hands up and said,

"You got me!"

David's garbled cry cut through the closed door and I cringed. It took all my willpower not to go after him, but he was safer with Mr. Anderson, wasn't he?

If the Detective had figured out how to thwart my gifts, maybe that meant there was a cure for the deterioration. Maybe David wouldn't have to die.

However, I didn't trust the b*st*rd to help David on his own, even if he had the means. I'd need some backup to make sure he kept his priorities straight.

"Sarah!" I shouted again, this time more frantic. A blonde head bobbed at the entrance and I launched myself, putting my palms together like I was going for a swan dive in an ocean made of unshaven men and whiskey.

My nose pinched and I wondered how starving I'd been to have been attracted to anyone in this place.

Sarah's eyes locked onto mine a split second before she bolted outside.

I knew that look. That's the look she had the last time I'd failed her. The last time someone had to die. And she'd disappeared for two years. I shoved my way to the front and ignored elbows stabbing my ribs. I didn't have two years this time. Mr. Anderson was right outside and he had David.

I needed someone to watch him. Someone to guide him in the right direction without them knowing they were being influenced.

Someone with skills I didn't have. By the time I made it out onto the dusty street, Sarah was gone. I was on my own.

Disbelief rooted me to the spot. How could Sarah abandon me? Not now, not when I needed her most.

"Move, wench!" A drunken man shoved me from behind and I stumbled. I turned and glared at him. When his eyes met mine he locked into my spell. I slipped into my magic so easily.

I couldn't resist. I'd just fed and the s****l energy made me giddy and spontaneous.

He stiffened and wavered as the wall of desire hit him. His eyes grew wide so that they looked like yellow orbs protruding from his leathery face. His tongue flicked across his dry, cracked lips.

Taking one empowering step towards him, the man faltered back with one hand pushed out in defense.

A gold ring glinted against the bar's neon light. I shoved an accusatory finger in his face.

"You're going to go back home, tell your wife you're sorry, and not touch a drink again for the rest of your life. Got it?" He swayed side-to-side, fighting against my compulsion. I smiled sweetly, leaning in and grazing my nail across his cheek.

"You understand?" Skin contact made it solid. His shock melted into a goofy grin.

"Yes, but me wife's dead."

"Do you have anyone at home?" He pondered for a moment. "No, but me boy's struggling down in Texas. He's the only family I gots left."

"Why's he in Texas?"

He grinned as his eyes searched my face. "You're so beautiful."

"Answer me." He blinked as if he couldn't focus. Alcohol always messed with the interrogation side of my powers.

Something to do with the brain synapses not being able to connect fast enough. At least, that's what my mom had told me.

"Drinking," he answered after a moment.

"I can't keep a steady job 'cuz me drinking. I drink away any money he sends me.

Texas is far enough he don' have to see it. But he sends me money anyway." His gaze grew distant. "Maybe he hopes I'll use it to visit him someday." I pressed both hands against his cheeks and resisted a gag against the sour plume of alcohol.

"Then get home. Rest. And go to your boy tomorrow. Work hard and don't touch the drink again. Pay him back and earn his respect. Got it?" He nodded against my grasp.

I released him and he stumbled down the street mumbling.

"Me boy, me boy." I took in a deep breath. That inner voice tried to justify what I was.

See?You do good with your gifts. You may take a life, but how many do you save? Imagine what you could do with your four...

I stomped my foot. It wasn't a matter of mathematics. I couldn't just justify infidelity, r*p*, murder...no matter how much good I did.

And four? What was this damned four my nutty voice kept going on about? I scanned the street. Parked cars judged me with their frowning grills and broken headlights.

Even a few toothless hookers added their own oppressive stare for good measure.

Refocusing, I pushed away the judgment, self-hatred, and regret. That wasn't going to help David. I wavered on my feet as I considered my options. If I couldn't find Sarah, I needed the next best thing.

Maxine.

Stomping down the street with clenched fists didn't stop the fluttering in my chest. Maxine wouldn't appreciate a visit from a succubus, especially one being tracked by a detective.

But I didn't have a choice.

I needed help.

Even if that meant getting help from a nun.