Frowning, Griff flung the lit cigarette to the ground and stepped on it. “That was unnecessary.”
“My killing Reverend Hayward didn’t just change me. It fucked West and you up too. All I’m doing is trying to find ways for us to be functional.”
“And how does keeping her alive help?”
“We get the money in four days.”
Griff shook his head. “What are you talking about? We don’t do hostages and money exchanges.”
“We do now.”
“We don’t know this friend or where it will be.”
“We will.” I turned around and headed for the door.
“And so what?” He got in front of me. “We exchange Phoenix for the money, give her a thumbs up, and all happily ride off in the sunset?”
“Something like that.”
He held out his hands. “What does that mean?”
“I’m still coming up with the plan.”
And I can’t exchange Phoenix for the money. I’m not done with her yet.
Griff’s frown deepened. “You’ve got something on your mind. You’re just not telling me.”
“When I know what I’m doing, you will too.”
“And when will that be?”
“Soon.”
Frowning, Griff got to my side and stared at the door. “Let me see her.”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t want to share her.”
His bottom lip quivered. “How does she look in there? What did you really do?”
“I told you the truth. I cut her. Then, I cleaned her up.”
“And she’s sleeping in your bed?”
“She is.”
“What happens when she wakes up? What will you do then?”
“I don’t know.”
That didn’t calm him.
I slowly placed my hand on his shoulder. After Reverend Hayward and his sick actions, there weren’t many places I could touch my brother without making him jerk away in disgust.
Still, Griff tensed under my hand.
“As soon as I know what I should do, I will tell you.” I tenderly patted the spot and then gently removed my hand. “I promise. I will tell you immediately.”
“You promise?”
“Everything that I do will always be for you and our siblings. I’ll always make sure we eat, experience comfort, and remain safe from monsters.”
“I know.”
“I’ll always be there for you.”
“I know that too, but who will save you?”
My jaw twitched. “I don’t need saving.”
“You need something, Cole.”
Pain hit my broken heart.
I fisted my hands at my sides. “It’s Cain now.”
Griff let out a long sigh. “Remember our other promise? The one only you and I have between each other.”
“I do.”
“You’ll tell me if you fall into complete darkness. You’ll run to me the moment you want to take your activities outside of your. . .soul coffin.”
“I will.”
“But what if you’re too full of madness to know? What if you’re too fucked up to care?”
“You’ll see me coming. You’ll shoot me. You’ll save me.” I gave him a weak smile and went to the door. “Pick that cigarette up.”
“Don’t forget about my twenty dollars from the bet in the club.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be sure to make that my top priority.”
Chapter 13
Slave to Pleasure
Phoenix
I
n my dream, I stood in a huge steel-blue room with no doors or windows. Brownish-orange rust outlined the bottoms of the four walls. Outside this room could be anything and anyone.
“Where am I?” I was dressed in a white royal gown with a long train of tulle. Ruffled layers formed around the sleeveless top that plunged into a V-neckline. It was cinched at the waist. The skirt spilled out in fluttering waves of tulle. Rhinestones decorated the train.
Something sat heavy on my head.
“What is this?” I raised my hands and touched a jeweled crown.
It was in that moment that I realized a large group of people circled me.
It must’ve been thirty of them.
They were all dressed in red jumpsuits. Black masks hooded their entire heads. And the masks had no holes for the eyes, nose, or mouth. I couldn’t make out the structure of their faces or see their hair.
And they all stood hauntingly still like living mannequins. Not one person moved their hand, head, or feet. Their chests never rose or fell.
I couldn’t tell if they were men or women.
Unease twisted my insides.
“Hello?” My voice echoed in the big room. “Hello?”
Unsettling quiet ensued.
“Excuse me.” I walked to the left and stopped in front of a hooded person. “Can you help me? Why am I here?”
Frozen silence was the only response.
I backed up. “Are you. . .alive?”
My heartbeats sped up.
I hurried over to the right, hoping to find help there. “Where am I?”
The person never moved.
I went to the next one. “How do I get out of here?”
Suddenly, that person moved.
I jumped back, so used to everyone remaining still.
The person pointed their black-gloved hand to the ceiling.
“That’s how I leave?” I looked up at the ceiling. Horror seized my throat. So terrified, I froze in place.
Floating high above, disembodied eyes gazed back at me. Some blinked. Others slowly moved their pupils from left to right. There were blue and brown, green, hazel, and grey. Some had jagged red lines webbing the whites of their eyes. Others had long lashes.