Justice for Leanne Read online

  Justice for Leanne

  By: Brigit Aine

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  Publishers Note: This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to real person, places, or events is coincidental.

  Copyright 2011 Brigit Aine

  Cover art by Kayden McLeod

  Chapter One

  As another soul came through the portal, Leanne sighed and stood tall. She held the scales firmly as she caught a glimpse of Justice, the god she worked for, watching her through slit eyes. The soul stepped through taking her attention away from Justice.

  “Place your hand atop mine,” she intoned in a hushed voice. Leanne closed her eyes and braced for the cold that always seeped through when the souls touched her. She opened her eyes to watch the scales when she felt the soul settle within her. “The scales will now weigh your deeds, good and bad, and determine if you are able to come through.”

  Leanne felt her body stiffen as she soaked up the soul’s energy, knowing this was one of the harsher ones she had dealt with. There seemed to be more of those lately, as if something or someone was pushing through those souls that should never be topside again. Long before she re-opened her eyes, Leanne knew this one would not pass judgment. Her own feelings were always in tune with the scales, and she knew without looking that the scales would be tipped towards darkness. Justice would step in and send the soul back through the portal.

  “You have been found lacking in moral rehabilitation and are not granted access through the portal.” As Leanne spoke, the soul pulled away and tried to run, but Justice was right there, hands ablaze with magic as he held the soul aloft and pushed it back through the portal from which it had just come.

  * * * *

  Leanne mused that sometimes being the judge, jury, and executioner for those who were trying to earn their way back from Hell was exhausting; other times it was exhilarating. She stopped to take a break beneath the arch of the Brimstone City Gate, where the city was protected from the things out in the night, wandering through the forest. They were things no one wanted to acknowledge.

  Brimstone was a transition town for those who came from Hell and passed Leanne’s scales. The inhabitants of Brimstone were varied from demi-demons who had been released, to the innocents who hadn’t ever been to Hell. There were also those who had been released because they didn’t deserve to be there in the first place.

  Leanne always felt awful for those souls, how could such an error be made? The ones who chose to settle in Brimstone understood their role was to help those who were passing through; it was so they could assimilate into the outside world, fitting in once they had left.

  Tonight had been both exhausting and exhilarating. Earlier, as she had stood beside the portal in the forest just outside her city, she had judged souls who fell on both sides of the scale. She was always thankful for the ones that feel to side of good. After all, it got really old having to send back the ones who were not in compliance with Justice.

  Leanne enjoyed allowing souls into Brimstone for the transition period topside. She knew that Justice rather enjoyed sending souls back through the portal, but that wasn’t her idea of a good time. She would much rather believe that everyone learned their lesson and was ready for a second chance. Knowing this was her own naiveté never stopped Leanne from still wanting to see the good.

  She shuddered anytime she thought of the God to whom she owed both her allegiance and her existence. He always had that effect on her. She wasn’t sure if it was fear, excitement, or both. Justice was pure sex on legs, but he could be ruthless, as she had seen tonight with those who would argue with her decision. Although he was there to protect her, he also confused her. Sometimes he exuded sex appeal so standoffish that she wasn’t even sure he knew she was there. She didn’t know if she desired him, or if he just scared her to the point of confusion.

  Leanne pushed away from the wall. Someone to hold and love her was something she had neglected. She knew that she was going to have to move on from her fantasies of Justice to someone who wasn’t a god, someone who could love her.

  Leanne was glad to be heading home; arguing with those souls who wanted to come through, even after she judged them unworthy, always tired her. Not that she blamed them for arguing. No, she never blamed any of them.

  Leanne couldn’t imagine hearing that the weight of your soul still fell on the side of evil no matter how much good you had done to earn your way back to the mortal plain. It was for those who had done something so heinous, that no amount of redemption would allow them back out.

  As she climbed the stairs to her apartment, she stopped to appreciate the delicious scents coming from the bakery below. When she had first been brought back to the mortal plane Justice had set her up in, between the portal of the mortal world and Hell, he had given her the chance to live again and to help him when he could no longer be impartial with the souls.

  Looking over her shoulder Leanne made sure her gaze covered her entire city of Brimstone. It was hers, no matter that she wasn’t the mayor or a city councilman. She was the protector of this town and the people who chose to live here. She could see the colorful houses around the outskirts of the city center. Everyone here was special in some way.

  The city was setup in almost internal circles. Permanent residents lived on the outside closest to the wall, the halfway houses were inside of those, but still not inside the heart or center of the town. Then there were the businesses, all owned by those who wanted to make Brimstone their own safe haven. The bakery that Faith owned was the heart of it all. Everyone always stopped by to say hello to Faith, grab a fantastic pastry and feel better as they left. Brightly lit with a gorgeous display window Faith had turned the bakery into the heart and soul of Brimstone. Next to her was the bookstore.

  Leanne always wished she had more energy and time to make friends with the people of the town, but as its protector she often felt she was feared. Faith reassured her that wasn’t the case, but she still went to the bookstore for Leanne. Leanne knew that people often went on Saturdays from Faith’s bakery to the bookstore next door. The smell of leather and ink came up with the smells of the pastries. Leanne had been in a couple of times and visualized it now as she looked over at it. A small store with bookshelves along the walls, full of books, organized by genre and author. Tables and overstuffed chairs and couches filled the center with a small counter inside with a new cash register and a cat on it. Leanne smiled as she thought of the cat. Gazing around again at the whole town, Leanne felt confident that things were well here and she could go into her apartment.

  When Justice had first placed her in Brimstone he set her up in the apartment above the bakery that her friend Faith owned. Faith was true to her name, making sure that Leanne never lost hers. Leanne helped Faith when the portal was slow, which was less and less often. She missed her time with Faith. The bakery was a place that made Leanne feel safe, somewhere she wanted to be; and that was before she knew that Faith was a goddess who had been banished from Prya.

  Leanne felt bittersweet as she thought of Faith. Her heart ached for her friend and the life she had been banished from. Often times Leanne felt like crying for her friend while at the same time jumping for joy that Faith was here with her. Faith helped to lighten Leanne’s burden, and often Leanne hoped that she did the same for Faith. Leanne knew that Faith thought of going home to Prya, but didn’t
think there was any way that was going to happen.

  Faith had given the humans more to look forward to then she should have. She knew that the humans needed more than they were being allowed from the gods. It was the Higher gods who had punished her, using Justice as their tool. Faith had retained her goddess powers, but could not go back home, Justice had banished her. Leanne knew that once Justice ruled on a decision there was no going back. That was his job as a god; to rule on the right and wrong. He ruled on Faith long before Leanne was a part of his world, but she didn’t think the rules changed just because she was there now.

  Faith stayed in Brimstone on the mortal plain to help those who crossed her path. She restored their beliefs in better things before moving them out into the real world beyond Brimstone. She was one of those who helped with the transition back from Hell to the mortal plain.

  On the days that Justice came to the mortal plane, he and Leanne spent time at the portal while Leanne stayed closer to Faith. Often times Leanne needed the quiet of working at the bakery to settle down from having to carry the scales and judge the souls.

  Leanne entered her apartment to sleep for a few hours before she went back downstairs to help Faith in the bakery. As she reached for the light switch that would illuminate the small kitchen, Leanne stopped suddenly.

  Something was out of place.

  She walked out of the kitchen and looked around the darkened apartment. She focused, using her other senses to figure out what was wrong. A small energy wave pushed out of Leanne. She blurred her vision to allow the magick to show her what was not visible with unmagicked sight. Leanne saw that the furniture had been moved slightly, as if someone had bumped into it accidentally and not set it back right. At the back of her apartment the energy wave found the source of her unease.

  Justice. In her bedroom, lounging on the bed. His energy had his flavor – dark, sultry, sexy and uniquely Justice. With mixed emotions Leanne knew she needed to head towards the bedroom. He was confusing her again. Why was he in her bedroom, what did he want from her? She was nervous about heading back there knowing he was in her personal space.

  She took her time, straightening her furniture. She knew she was stalling, but this was Justice. There was no telling what he wanted this time. After they had a successful session at the portal he almost always came to harass her. He considered it a great success if the number of those allowed to stay, and those who were sent back to the darkest pits of Hell were even.

  Sometimes he would hang out, telling her stories of a time when there were no mortals. He’d lounge on her bed, shirtless, all hard as rock muscle and his silky skin just there for her to try and covertly observe. He didn’t seem to know what he did to her, and that drove her just as nuts as not being able to touch him.

  Other times he wanted her to walk with him as he talked about Prya and how the Lesser gods fought amongst themselves over favor with the Higher gods. No matter what he did, the time he forced her to spend with him was torture for Leanne.

  She had been in love with Justice for a hundred years now and there seemed to be nothing she could do about it. Granted she hadn’t told him how she felt, or tried to act on her feelings; it had never felt like the appropriate thing to do. He was a Lesser god, she was simply the soul he had saved to help him do his job. In her mind, there was never anything that could come of the two of them. Her feelings were destined to be one-sided.

  She loved and hated these times spent with him. In 300 years, Justice had never shown that he thought of her as anything but a tool.

  Now he was here again, waiting. She wasn’t sure what he wanted this time, but he wouldn’t go anywhere until she talked to him. Of that she was certain.

  Chapter Two

  Justice knew Leanne was stalling. He also knew why.

  He had left her alone for years—hundreds of them—for fear she would fall into his arms out of gratitude. Now though, after three hundred years he knew he had to make her his. His heart sped up just thinking about her. In his mind’s eye, he saw her raven colored hair tumbling in waves down her back to her waist, the black leather corset and lace skirt of her work uniform brushing against skin that felt so soft whenever he brushed against it. He could visualize her under him, bare to his touch, his fingers brushing her stomach and thighs. He realized his hands were shaking with the thought of being able to touch her unhindered. She was going to be his undoing.

  It wasn’t like she owed him anything—he was the one in debt. She’d given up the afterlife for him, never once questioning why she was chosen. She never asked for a day off or to be released from a duty. She didn’t question how she was picked to hold the scales or why he had chosen her. No, she simply accepted what he gave her, weighing it on her scale, and giving her judgment.

  He knew this transition he wanted was going to be tough, his own feelings in turmoil over her reaction to his decision to change their relationship. Leanne was tired. The morning had been a success, a trip where the scales had been evenly tipped. The days where the scales tipped the wrong way were harder on her.

  Leanne’s habit after a day like this one was to take a quick nap, and then go down and help Faith. Justice knew that having Faith there brought peace to Leanne. He still remembered when he had to leave Faith in Brimstone. That was a sad day for all. Poor Faith, he thought; although, she didn’t seem to think she had it badly. She was allowed to do what she always wanted to, and she didn’t have to answer to anyone higher. She never faulted or blamed him for doing what the Higher gods had asked of him. She was a true friend to him. Faith was also able to help Leanne through the tougher of the soul assignments.

  One of the things he hated most was that he had not been able to give Leanne the power to shield herself from the guilt. He knew that her ability to feel guilt at sending souls back to Hell was what made her perfect, but that didn’t mean he liked it. He hated that she had to hurt over souls that didn’t deserve to come forth to the mortal plain. Her feelings of right and wrong were shaded in grey. It was her inability to see black and white was why she carried the scales, and with that he felt guilty. Justice loved that she was able to see the good and bad in every soul she came across, the perfect foil for him.

  Justice tried to figure out how to tell her he was ready to move to a different type of relationship when he finally heard her coming down the hallway. He was ready to show her that while he may not be able to see right and wrong in shades of grey that she could, he was capable of feeling.

  He loved her.

  He knew she wouldn’t believe him right away, not after three hundred years. She wouldn’t believe that he’d immediately fallen in love with her, which was why he’d chosen her to save from all the souls. Hers had called to him.

  How he was going to get her to believe him, was a dilemma he didn’t have solution for. He knew she wanted him. She had done a good job of trying to hide it, but being a Lesser god had its moments. Every now and then, he could catch someone’s emotions, and he had been able to catch Leanne’s once when she was thinking of him, her feelings full of lust. That was when he realized that they could have more than just the work between them. He was going to use those feelings of lust to jump start their relationship, not bringing the emotion into it too soon-- at least that was his hope. He knew he loved her, but he didn’t want her to think he was just trying to pacify her. His heart picked up speed as he thought of being able to tell her of his love, and have her believe him.

  Justice realized he needed more of an advantage. With the flick of a wrist his pants disappeared too. He adjusted himself on her bed so that the sheet barely covered his body, leaving his torso and legs naked for Leanne’s view.

  Chapter Three

  Leanne found herself speechless as she spotted Justice. She expected him to be on her bed, but not looking like he was. Trying to ignore the way her breathing quickened and the immediate tightening in her belly, she walked over to her vanity. Picking up a brush Leanne looked into the mirror seeing Justice watching he
r reflection.

  “Um…,” Leanne stuttered, not sure what to say to a half-naked god, even if they had worked together for 300 years. “So…”

  “Are you feeling all right? It isn’t like you to stumble over your own tongue.” Low and husky, his voice sent shivers down her spine like a physical caress. Justice moved slightly and the sheet rippled.

  “Fine,” Leanne assured him, hoping to stop him from moving more. “I’m fine. I’m not used to you stopping in this early. I usually have a chance to clean up, sleep and visit with Faith after time at the portal before you show up. I was surprised to find you here so soon, is all.”

  “Ah. I decided to shower here instead of going home, so I just popped in and made myself comfortable while waiting for you.” She saw Justice smile at her, waiting for her reaction to his words.

  Leanne figured imaging Justice in her shower was more than she could handle. She shivered lightly as her imagination took over, taking her to places that she didn’t want to go. Almost immediately, regret slammed into her, making her heart ache. A constricting feeling came around her ribs, squeezing her until she couldn’t breathe. Knowing she would never be able to really see Justice in her shower was a physical ache she almost couldn’t bear.

  “Oh. You didn’t think to tell me that you wanted to use my space to take care of your personal needs?” She knew she sounded miffed, but Leanne didn’t care. He didn’t own her, no matter what he thought. “Just because you saved my soul all those years ago doesn’t mean I’m a slave.” Leanne knew that years of bottled up emotion was coming out. “You don’t get to come in a take-over my space simply because you’re a god and I’m not.” Trying to get her emotions back in check Leanne took a deep breath.