I hid the contract away underneath a Loose floorboard in my room and hit the sack soon afterwards.

The next day was a school day and since final exams were quickly approaching, I decided not to skip and to wait until Later. Thankfully my parents were both out that day when I got home. My dad had gone to the pub and my mother had vanished to go sleep with whoever was the flavour of the month. So when I came home and found Olivia sat on my doorstep I was understandably shaken.

What's more she wasn't wearing a little tube top and a miniskirt anymore, but a pair of freshly-ironed Ladies trousers, a neat white blouse, and a black suit-jacket over her shoulders. She looked smaller without the dangerously thin high heels and yet much more intimidating.

I guessed what had happened the moment I laid eyes on her.

She was a bloody cop.

I froze on the spot, every part of me screamed to run away but I stayed rooted out of sheer bloody-minded stubbornness. I reminded myself I hadn't broken the law, and more to the point I had this woman's soul. I didn't need to be afraid. Unless of course she got me in jail before I could try using her contract then I'd be up shit creek without a paddle.

“Nice to see you again, Wilfred." She clearly saw how uncomfortable I was and relished the moment. I didn't blame her. If our situations were reversed then I might have done the same.

“Er, hi." I smoothly retorted.

“So I thought I should come have a word with you and your parents about your night-time habits." She stood up from my front step and put her hands in her pockets.

“They aren't in. They won't be back for hours." I fucking hoped.

“Well, do you mind if I come in and talk with you for a while?" Her smile faded a little to a more serious expression.

“It's ok if you don't want me to but I*1l be back later.”

Great.

“A-alright." I stepped passed her to slip my key in the door. I caught the scent of her perfume on the air as I passed. Light citrus and fresh fruit filled my nostrils.

I opened the door and dumped my bag in the stair well before turning to go into the living room. I didn't want her anywhere near the Nocturne

Compendium or my bedroom for that matter. I took a seat on the couch and looked over to her, gesturing to a chair opposite me where my dad usually wasted the days away.

"So, why are you going around in the early hours of the morning asking prostitutes for their souls?" She got right to the point.

“How did you know where I lived?" That was some damn good detective work. She sure as hell hadn't tailed me home.

“I saw your Library card in the front of your wallet when you took out the hundred. It has your name and address on the front of it." Ok, maybe it wasn't such good detective work.

“Look, I haven't broken any law. Last I checked, bartering for a soul wasn't illegal, which shows just how much faith this country places in the teachings of its church, by the way." I sat upright, resolved that