Page 29 of The Syphon King

“Oh God,” Beth said as they both stared at the images packed onto the page. Every manner of people of all ages engaged in the most depraved sexual acts, some with strange animals.

They passed it on, and he looked at Beth. “Sexual sins?” she wondered.

The children in the drawing and the horror etched on their faces made him think, “More like sickfuckingabominations.”

When it arrived back at King Thakx, he moved the paper away from him.

“Did the image speak anything relevant to anybody?” Nidev asked.

Bishop looked around, finding nothing but disturbed, clueless expressions.

“Can I ask what’s happening with your Dreamscape?” 8-Bit asked.

One of the Kings unloaded a shit ton of computer language that went over heads while 8-Bit nodded and asked, “Would you be willing to allow me to look at it and see what I can see?”

“Absolutely,” the King said as several others eagerly agreed, no doubt ready to get that disgusting image out of their minds.

“Dinner has been prepared for our Marsh Kings,” Nidev announced. “It will be served in the dining hall in one hour. After, we will meet for a final closing on matters. Any remaining questions can be answered then. Feel free to explore the grounds while here. What’s ours is yours.”

Murmurs flowed as everybody stood. Bishop signaled to Seer, wanting to hear what he was thinking about everything. He took Beth’s hand and headed over to his brother. “Can I steal you for a minute?”

Seer raised opened an arm and Bishop leaned in, receiving his one-sided hug. “Steal me for as long as you want.”

“Me and Cherie will go find the wood path we spotted on the way in,” Beth said.

Bishop tensed at the idea of her being outside without him. “Don’t go far. And make sure others are with you. Unless we’re home, I want you to always stay in crowds. Yes?”

“Yes,” she said with a smile, leaning to kiss his cheek. He intercepted with his lips, petting her face. “We’ll just go see the pool,” she whispered.

Thank fuck she knew him like a book. He kissed her again. “Thank you, baby. You have your phone?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“I have my tracker too,” she reminded, holding up her bracelet with a smile.

“Me too,” Cherie said in Seer’s embrace.

As they left, Bishop stared at his brother, amazed with his transformation in the land dragon leathers, jeans and boots. But that boyish grin he wore was what loosened all the dread in his guts.

“Marriage and leather looks good on you,” Bishop said whenhe finally turned to him.

His smile went full-blown. “Yeah?” He leaned close. “I feel sexy as fuck.”

The crass term snatched a big laugh from Bishop. He grabbed Seer’s shoulder and found himself in his bear hug. The clash of his light against the darkness inside brought his breath out in a shaky rush. “It’s all good, brother,” he muttered in his ear.

Bishop managed to let him go, nodding as he looked around for a more private area.

“Women went that way,” Seer said, already heading in that direction. “We can stalk and talk.”

Bishop laughed again, following him. “Is there any way I can get you to move closer to me? I forgot how good you are at keeping my shit in check.”

“Brother, I would move in your bedroom if you asked me to.” He angled a grin at him. “But don’t ever ask.” He pointed and Bishop looked, seeing their wives. “Fall back a little. We don’t want them to see their favorite psychos. Or do we?”

“I think we do,” Bishop said, chuckling. “They love it.”

“So, what’s on your mind like that?” Seer asked.

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