Page 10 of Roses and Skulls

He throws his head back, laughing loudly, making the bird flap her wings and caw at the same time.

When he finally pulls himself together, he shakes his head. “Sorry, that was not the voice I was expecting.” He tilts his head, shaking his finger in my direction. “You know, I’m real sorry you were there that night. You weren’t supposed to be.”

I bite my lip and look at the floor. He sounds sincere but the fact remains, he took my grandpa away from me.

“Your mother killed my father, so I killed hers.” No beating around the bush, just an arrow straight through my heart.

My eyes snap to his.

“It’s true. A life for a life, there isn’t any other way in our world.”

My mother may be scary, but she isn’t a murderer.

He tips his head, reading my expression. “You don’t think she’s capable? Awe, little dove, I think you need to open your eyes. Why do you think they keep you in such a tight little bubble? It’s to protect you.” He laughs. “From what? The boogeyman? Or could it be, she’s worried she might have gathered a few enemies along the way.”

I think about this, walking over to the crow. It is odd that I seem to be the only person in the club that is kept in the dark and protected. The crow hops over to me, her beady little black eyes tell me she wants out of this stupid cage.

My fingers fly over the screen.Isn’t it illegal to keep a crow in a cage?

“After everything I just told you, you’re worried about the bird?”

My gaze roams over to his as I stick my finger in the cage, running it over her feathers. I shrug my shoulder and turn back to the crow.

“They don’t see you do they?”

I ignore him and continue to stroke my new friend.

“You’re a lot stronger than they think.”

When I still don’t respond, he stands. I make myself stay right where I’m at. Pulling my finger out of the cage, I type quickly,Why did you buy the bar?

He reaches out and runs his palm down the back of my hair. I try to control the shiver that courses through my body but no luck. I think he mistakes my fear for something else.

His hand drops from my hair as he leans in and sniffs me, his nose brushing along my ear. “I bought it for you. You do want to see this place thrive, don’t you?”

Again, my silence is all he gets.

He backs away, chuckling low and evil. “Together, we can make it something special. Do you know what I’m naming the place?”

I drop my head, sad that this is what has come of things. I should be here, running the bar with grandpa. Not standing here stroking a motherfucking crow, talking to a man who makes me want to crawl out of my skin.

The crow tips her head back and forth, studying me as I type.So, are you offering me a job?

He snorts, running his hand over his mouth. “You are a delightful little thing. Yes, I guess I am.”

Well, let me know when you want me to start.I grab the handle of the cage and start to walk towards the door.

“The grand opening is this Friday. Come in after mommy and daddy go to bed. I’m assuming you’ll have to sneak out to work here.”

In case you’re wondering, I have no idea what I’m doing. All I know are two things. The first is that I’m going to save the bird in this cage and the second thing is… I’m going to kill the man who put her there. And that makes me sad in a way.

I nod my head and take another step towards the door.

“Don’t you want to know what the name of the bar is going to be?”

I stop, waiting for him to tell me.

When he doesn’t answer right away, I turn to face him, his grin widens. He taps his fingers over his mouth, a shiny ring on each finger. “I’m thinking The Black Rose. What do you think?”

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