Everyone’s attention was on Jake, but as Beast begun to tell the story of the demonic happenings in the clubhouse, Jake focused and listened, not questioning a word that came out of Beast’s mouth. No matter how outrageous. When the story focused on King’s final days, Jake finally understood what Knight had meant when he’d told Jake that their former prez betrayed the club. Word after word, truth was falling into place, and even the strange fight between Vars and Knight made sense when Jake found out about its purpose.
After attempting to soothe the pain in Jake’s wing with a cooling gel, Vars sat next to him on the floor, still in his wet pants, but he refused to leave to change, so Jake let it go.
Was he shocked by this outpour of information about demonic pacts, time travel, and ghosts? Yes. But in his current position, knowing that he wasn’t the only one subjected to powers beyond human understanding, somehow made him feel at ease. He fit in after all. He wasn’t the only freak in this place, and instead of alienating him, the monster inside of him made him belong among the Kings of Hell more than ever.
Hours passed and Jake forgot that he wasn’t in his own body, surrounded by friends and listening to stories no one could previously have shared with him. It was only when Beast suddenly leaned forward, staring as if Jake had something on his face, that Jake noticed his body shrinking. The black matter that formed Azog’s body over his own became a thick smoke that slowly sank back into his body. At least unlike becoming a werewolf who in the movies simply transformed, he was covered by the gargoyle armor from the outside, so he didn’t have to worry about ending up butt-naked in front of everyone.
Vars grabbed Jake’s arm gently, but frowned. “The wound. From the bullet. It’s full of the black stuff. Does it hurt?”
Jake shook his head. “No. It’s tender, but that’s it.” No blood was flowing either, as if Azog had the capacity to heal Jake’s body.
Beast hummed, and when Jake opened his eyes, the prez was leaning forward with a deep frown on his face. “Vars tells me Mr. Magpie could know something about your condition.”
“Why?” Jake automatically embraced Vars, even though he realized others might understand the meaning behind their physical closeness. He didn’t care about hiding it anymore.
“Because he’s also a demon. He was the one to bring me back to life,” Vars told him patiently.
Jake took a deep breath and shook his head. He wasn’t shocked at this point, but that didn’t mean any of this was getting easier to grasp. “I see. It makes sense that he might know something then. I… I don’t want to become like this permanently.”
Rev got up and lit himself a cigarette. “You won’t, kid. We will take care of you.”
The support of his brothers meant everything to Jake, but it was time to step up and take charge of his destiny. There were things no one should do for him.
“I’ll go too.”
Beast nodded. “I’ll send Knight with you. He and Magpie found a common language.”
Joker snorted. “Booze.”
Jake settled into Vars’s embrace, even though everyone was watching them closely. “I’m sorry I haven’t told you what was going on, I—”
Beast stopped him with a gesture. “It doesn’t matter now, Jake. You’ve learnt your lesson. But I also see why you freaked out. We will do everything we can to help.” He glanced at Vars. “And while you’re there, at Magpie’s, get everything you can out of him about Baal.”
Jake was still so stunned he didn’t at first notice Vars pressing close to his ear.
“If you’re going to New York with me, I’m gonna show you my playroom, boy.”
A shiver went down Jake’s spine and he swallowed hard, unsure if he was ready.
Chapter 20 - Jake
It seemed that Jake couldn’t get rid of Elliot even when the pest of a human being wasn’t physically around.
Leaning against the glass wall of the study where he and Jake awaited Mr. Magpie’s and Vars’s return, Knight opened his pants and casually pulled out his dick. He looked at his phone, which he’d risen high with one hand, gently curled the fingers of the other around his cock, and grinned at the camera.
“That’s Central Park behind me. I wonder if people can see me through the windows now if they look hard enough. I imagine you naked against this giant window, babes. Wish you were here,” he said in the end and sent a smooch at his phone. He then switched off the recording and grinned, tapping the screen while his cock was still out, for all of Manhattan to see. “That boy’s so dirty. I fucking love it.”
Jake closed his eyes and counted to three but then snorted. “You’re ridiculous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you coo this much over a girlfriend, let alone a guy.” He stepped closer and looked out into the vast green area below.