Page 87 of Of Flame and Fate
Johnny tenses as he often does when the wolves address them. “I willed them to learn.”
“That’s not good enough,” Gemini says, picking up on something I don’t. “From what I’ve learned, you don’t play an instrument, and I don’t think your power would allow you to play one just because you wanted to.” He eases off the accelerator as he rounds the bend, keeping his stare ahead and his attention very much on Johnny. “How did you do it?”
“I watched a lot of music videos,” Johnny admits. “And stuffed whatever I felt in each note into my boys.”
Gemini doesn’t respond, seemingly satisfied with his response.
“They seemed so human,” I say, recalling their imposing forms. “At least from afar.”
Johnny puts his cigarette out on the sole of his boot. Instead of flicking the butt out of the window, he shoves what’s left into the front pocket of his jeans and reaches for another one. This one is broken, too. As much as I don’t like the amount he’s smoking, I want to keep him talking, and light the next before he can ask.
“My boys were with me for a few years,” he says, his mind once more wandering.
“Right,” I say carefully. “But how did they go from your skin to performing for hours on stage?”
“They became entities of themselves,” he replies, appearing to withdraw. “Even though they were mostly figures of what I needed them to be.” He drags his fingers through his bleached white bangs, pushing them away from his eyes. “I used to let them walk around after the shows so they’d be more visible. One morning, I woke up and they were standing by my bed, watching me.” He laughs. “Scared the shit out of me and two women lying next to me . . .” He frowns when he catches my surprise. “What? I’m rock star, Taran. Did you expect me to be a virgin?”
“It’s not that, you’re justyoung.” I shake my head. “I don’t like you doing that.”
“Doing what? Having sex? Don’t you and—”
“I would be very careful with the words you say next,” Gemini warns.
It takes Johnny a moment to speak. “I’m legal,” he says. “And so are they. Every time I take someone to bed, my people make sure of it.”
“That doesn’t make it okay. You’re being exploited,” I tell him frankly. “And used.”
He scoffs. “What else is new?” He does a double-take when I look at him. “Taran, I’m not this guy who’s spent the past two decades being worshiped, but I am the guy who gave all those assholes who mistreated me the ultimate fuck you by taking the stage and owning it. You think girls liked me back then? Most of them laughed when I tried to talk to them. They’re not laughing now, are they? No, all of them are lining up for a chance to screw me.”
I cross my arms. “Yet when they leave you’re back to being all alone.”
Johnny rams his mouth shut. “Tell me more about your band,” I say when he quiets.
I think he’s pissed and done talking, but then it’s like he can’t seem to stop. “My boys were becoming more,” he says. “Who knows, maybe with time, they would have had families of their own.”
“Doubt it,” Bren mutters.
“You don’t know me, werewolf,” Johnny snaps.
Bren turns around, smiling. But that’s Bren, big grin on his face right until he cracks your skull open and flings your brains over his shoulder. “True. But I do know you’re not God. You don’t get to decide what lives, what becomes, kid. No matter what kind of fucking power you have.”
Johnny doesn’t like what Bren has to say. “Pull the car over.”
“Johnny, calm down,” I say.
“Pull the car over now!” Johnny orders.
Gemini veers off the road, slamming down on the brake. “Fine, get out.”
“Wait,what?” I ask.
Johnny scowls and throws the door open. He doesn’t jump out, not right away. He wants us to stop him, to know someone cares.
Apparently the two “someones” in the front don’t.
He leaps out and slams the door shut, hurrying out of the way when another SUV jets up the highway and almost hits him.
“I can’t believe you’re just letting him leave!” I yell.