Josephine's study was a tall narrow room constructed mostly from oak. Full of mouldy books that had been crammed into any available space, to the point where there was almost no room to stand.

My new mistress sat behind a large desk that consumed half the room. Her face emotionless, and eyes glaring down at me like it was an interview.

I didn't know if she was attempting to be intimidating, but I was certain that I could beat any mind game she threw my way.

I slowly sketched one of the few magic spells I knew onto a crumpled piece of paper. Indifferent to her critical gaze.

I made sure to make one or two small rookie mistakes (I didn't want her thinking that I was too smart) before I handed it to her with a smile.

Josephine sat back to analyse my drawing. Looking over each symbol like she had a clue what they meant.

"Is this it?" She asked. Like she had expected something more.

"Yes, Mistress," I obediently replied.

"And you learnt this from a book?"

"Yes, Mistress."

"And the title was?"

"The name alludes me, Mistress," I faked confusion. "If you would be kind enough to allow me some more time, I'm certain that it will come back."

I could remember it perfectly well, but I had no desire to spill all my secrets at once. I intended to let them out as slowly as possible, to dissuade her from selling me straight back to the soul market.



"Very well," she nodded and rolled up the page. "Let me know as soon as you remember."

I nodded with a smile and she sent me out of the room.

Despite her obvious wealth, Josephine was unaccustomed to souls and seemed hesitant to give me orders.

Not that I minded.

I was certain that I'd found myself an easy master, and I was content to do just enough to prevent her from sending me back for a refund.

I spent my first few days exploring her three story townhouse and untamed front garden. The overgrown trees blocked most sunlight from entering the lower floors, making it difficult to see the accumulating dust and mouldy corners.

The house was full of expensive silverware, leather furniture, and faded pictures of Josephine's late relatives. The parchment was yellow and paint flaking, as though they'd sat untouched on the walls for centuries.

I was determined to find out all I could about my mistress. Her history, her habits, any weaknesses that I could use to my advantage. To me all human relations were like a battle, and I was determined to work her like I had with the hotel owner.

It didn't take long to discover that Josephine had no living family.

There was only her mortal servant, Macy, left to keep her company. The old woman was a great source of information. She had no qualms about spilling our mistress' secrets, without any idea of my real intentions.

"It's so nice to finally get some help around here," said Macy as we polished silverware together in the kitchen. "Josephine seems to care little for the state of her home, but these forks have been driving me mad for years."

"I'm more than happy to help," I said. "I'd love to do whatever I can."

Macy looked at me and smiled.

"And to think that Josephine spent so many years refusing to get a soul. I just knew that this would work out well."

"If you don't mind me asking, why has the mistress refused to get a soul until now?"

"Oh, Heaven knows," she swore. "You'll soon find out that Josephine has many causes, souls being one of them."

"Is that so."

"Everyone in this town knows that once she gets an idea into her head, it's almost impossible for her to let it go. I keep saying that's why she hasn't found herself a husband, after all these years."

"So I take it that there's never been a ?"

"Oh, God no. Many gentlemen showed up here over the years, some of them half decent, but she turned every one of them away. Faaaaar too picky if you ask me."

"Sounds like a fascinating story."

Macy opened her mouth to say more, but she was distracted by the rain which had begun falling against the foggy glass windows.

"And to think that it was sunny when I got up this morning," she muttered and shook her head. "I highly doubt that Josephine thought to take an umbrella when she left this morning."

"I could take her one," it was an excuse to find out where my mistress disappeared to every day. "If you would like me to."

"Would you, dear. That would truly put my mind at ease."

"It's no problem. I do after all, only exist to serve."

---

Macy directed me to a large stone building in the center of town. The people referred to it as Parliament, and it was the only place in Hell which allowed a chosen few to govern the Underworld.

Outside was a large statue of Azazel. Several meters tall with a large crown and sceptre resting upon his outstretched palms. Eyes glaring down at the building just so the people inside wouldn't forget who owned them.

Past the large oak doors, I found halls full of mortal clerks and rich men in suits. I peered into several rooms to find them sitting on lounges smoking, playing card games with women, or drinking the day away while occasionally discussing politics.

"What do you think of that mad woman's idea to change taxes," I heard one man say while sipping his wine.

"Lord if I know," his friend replied and laid back on a couch to nap. "I'm far more interested in the end of year ball. I do hope they improve the smorgasboard. Last year's cheese was subpar."

I eventually found Josephine in a large room full of hundreds of red carpeted chairs. She was standing on a large wooden podium in the center giving a speech. Over half the audience were talking amongst themselves, or napping, as though her words meant nothing.

I watched from the doorway, unable to hear a thing, until she angrily slammed her hand down on the podium to grab everyone's attention.

"As I was saying!" Josephine boomed. "If we increase taxes on the wealthy and distribute them towards services to help the poor, then we could effectively reduce the level of poverty in this town!"

"And why should our money go to lazy slackers who don't work!" Cried a voice from the crowd.

"They're not lazy!" Josephine yelled back. "Many of them actually want to work, but can't."

"Bollocks! If they want money then they can go get a job!"

"But most of the jobs they can do have already been given to souls," said Josephine. "It may be impossible to compete with free labour, but-"

"Not another crazy rant about souls!" Cried one man.

"We already heard enough about this last time!" Yelled another.

"If we provide free education to the poor!" Josephine cried. "Then we can direct them into more suitable jobs and improve the economy!"

"Ludicrous!" Called someone. "Whoever heard of sending those sorts to school?"

"That's got to be the worst idea you've come up with so far!" Yelled a guy from the other side of the room.

"But we'll never know until we try!" Josephine exploded. She slammed her hand down on the podium with so much force that it shook.

"Order! Order!" Yelled one elderly man with round glasses.

He banged a wooden hammer against his desk and the room fell silent. All eyes turned towards him.

"Miss Beaumont," he said condescendingly as though speaking to a child. "Let me remind you that we already have an effective system in place for dealing with poverty."

"But-" she attempted to argue but he ignored her.

"It's simple," he continued. "We allow the elite, our best and brightest, to amass large funds. They in turn create businesses, factories, and jobs for your beloved poor. Increasing taxes on the wealthy would only hamper their ability to provide work, and society would collapse. Increasing the poverty problem."

"No, you're wrong!" She cried back. "The system is broken!"

"Well, the new mistress certainly is interesting," I laughed to myself.

"Hey soul!" Snapped a middle-aged man as he walked past. "Go get more tea."

"I'm sorry, good sir," I said with my best smile. "But I'm afraid that I don't belong to this establishment, and are under no obligation to fulfil your request."

"Then whose soul are you?" He barked.

"That's an agreement between myself and my master. An agreement which I have no obligation to disclose to you."

The man grabbed my shirt collar and shoved me against the wall. Furiously looking straight into my eyes in an attempt to be frightening.

But there was nothing that mortal could do to hurt me, so I didn't even flinch.

When he realised that he wasn't going to win, he muttered "Fucking soul," and shoved me against the wall once before walking away.

I straightened my shirt collar, and returned my gaze to my mistress. She was looking straight back at me with bewilderment.

I smiled and merrily waved, but Josephine quickly returned her eyes to the front and continued her argument.

---

"There really is no need for you to come here," said an irritated Josephine as we walked back together in the rain.

I had one umbrella, which I obediently held up to shield her from the downpour. I could have brought another, but I hoped to use the close proximity to engage her in conversation.

"I'm perfectly capable of taking myself home," she added.

"Of course you are, Mistress."

"It was Macy, wasn't it?"

"Your servant did express concern over your well being."

"Well… No matter what she says, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. There really is no need to wait on me like some sort of slave."

"Whatever pleases you, Mistress."

"And there's no need to talk to me so politely either. All Misstress this, and Mistress that. You can call me by my name."

"If you insist, Mistress Josephine."

She sighed and crossed her arms.

"Please forgive me," I smiled. "A small habbit that I can't seem to break. I've spent so many years waiting on rich lords and ladies, that I truly don't know anything else."

"Well," she paused as though thinking of the right way to reply. "Things don't always have to be that way."

"I'll do my best, Mistress Josephine," I sadly hung my head. "But I'm afraid that it may be beyond my humble skills. I've been a servant for so long, that I have no idea what else to do with my time."

Other than learn how to get you wrapped around my finger, was the thought that I didn't dare voice out loud.

"And just how long have you been in the Underworld, Ethan?"

My smile almost faltered.

The soul market could show her my record, so it wasn't a question that I could easily lie my way through.

"I'm not sure, Mistress. I changed masters several times and lost track. My first master perished in a New Province rebellion, so you could say that I came to Hell a little before then."

"The New Province Rebellion! But that was over two hundred years ago!"

Two hundred years? I thought. Even I hadn't realised how much time had passed.

The realisation shocked me.

I rushed to say anything to hide my mortification.

"Yes, Mistress. I have unfortunately become what some would call an old soul."

"There's no need to worry Ethan, you're nowhere near as old as-"

She stopped mid sentence. Color draining from her face.

I followed her line of sight to see four large men in overalls and caps, emerge from between two buildings and come strolling towards us.

They were completely oblivious to the falling rain, and looked straight at my mistress like she was prey.

One of them pulled a large metal pipe from his jacket and grinned.

"Well, if it ain't the queen of bleeding hearts," he laughed.

---

Author's Note: I can't believe that I actually made it up to chapter 40. There was a stage around chapter 26 that I was seriously considering just giving up on this story forever, but I somehow pushed through. It's over halfway through, so it's become a lot easier to write now, because I can see an end in sight.

I've been thinking of going back to school next year (I need to level up in life), and since it's virtually impossible to have a full-time job, study, and write a story, I've been pushing myself to try and finish this by February next year. I'll see how it goes.

Any kind of support from readers would really help these kind of stories to continue. If you aren't interested in purchasing my work. You can always leave a comment on this story, or follow my Facebook page. You can find it here.

Summary: Daisuke Matsumoto here! I see you picked up my book. I knew you would because it's awesome, inspirational, life changing, and it's all about me!

Let’s start from the beginning. I was adopted by an old man who named me after his dead son, creepy right? He used to tell me stories of monsters who pose and animals and attack humans. I thought he made it all up to scare me, but I just met a group of exorcists who confirmed my worst fear, monsters are real! If that wasn’t enough to freak me out I discovered Grandpa was up to some shady stuff, Sis has secrets stashed away, and any hot chick could be a monster plotting to rip my insides out.

God must hate me, because I don’t know my own past, my real name, and……Akito? Hey, what’s up with the knife Akito?

Sample Chapters: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five,  Chapter Six

Grab the whole paperback or kindle book here on Amazon!