Page 23 of Song of Tenebrae
“First mistake, never trust anyone. They all have a price.”
She turns in my arms abruptly as the door shuts with a loud resounding bang, “he accepted money to betray me.”
“You’re still so fucking dramatic,” I roll my eyes, “and yes, he did.”
“Raiden, where’s Sky?”
“Inside the dressing room,” I jut my chin toward the door, “unless he’s already put her in the car.”
“Who put her in a car?” she tenses in my arms and then her hand cracks against my cheek, “where the fuck is she?!” I clench my jaw and slowly bring my face back around to look at her. My hand itches to smack her back for being a fucking brat but I swallow it down.
“Hail.”
“No,” her eyes widen as she shrugs out of my hold, running back to the dressing room door, and I’m once again zoned in on her ass. She begins to bang on the door screaming for her friend and I lean across from her, watching the madness play out.
“Fuck!” She screams and turns on me once again, “I hate you, Raiden and I promised myself if I ever saw you again, I would kill you.”
“I know, baby.” I say quietly and then let my lips curve upward, “I promise you’ll get your chance.”
“Don’t call me that.” She says through her clenched teeth.
“Alright, my demon.” Her eyes bug out and she opens her mouth to tell me off but it’s then that the dressing room door opens.
Hail steps out, an unconscious Sky draped over his shoulder, and snarls at Tempest as she rushes forward.
“Is she?”
“Alive.” Hail finishes for her and stalks toward the car. “We need to get out of here in ten minutes.”
“You should change,” I say to the demon shooting daggers at me with her eyes, “there’s a third upstairs.” I call out to Hail.
“No,” Tempest’s hands land on my stomach and the heat of her touch has me hardening instantly, “not Tiny, she knows nothing.”
“I assure you, Tiny knows enough, or do I have to remind you that we knew her first?”
“How did you become like this?” she whispers.
“Hard work and dedication, not to discount my actual life experiences.”
“Fucking prick,” she grumbles as she stomps into the changing room and begins to strip off her clothes. Yes, I have seen her naked a few times since she’s been back but this is different. She’s not wearing a mask of indifference this time and those scars are even more prominent in the dark.
She throws on a hoodie and a pair of track pants, grabbing a baggie out of the drawer along with her knife. She puts them both into the large pocket of her sweater and comes back out just as Hail heads upstairs.
“What did he do to Sky?”
“Probably knocked her out.” I shrug.
“I fucking dare you-” she begins but I cut her off with my laugh.
“Demon, I won’t have to, you’ll come willingly.”
Her eyes spit fire but her shoulders fall as she realizes she will have to comply to protect her friends and I smile with how well this plan played out.
“You’re a monster,” she whispers and I can hear the sadness ringing through her voice, “that will never change, will it?”
“Demon, I have survived as long as I have because of the way I am.”
I grab her arm and lead her to the back door just as Hail comes back downstairs with Tiny in front of him. She looks from me to Tempest and her eyes darken just as her hand comes out and slaps me across the face. I grab her by the throat and squeeze, my jaw clenched so tight I can hear the crack of my teeth.