Page 85 of Priest and his Anarchist

Before he can slide into his car, I stop him with my words. “Pop, I can’t have any more surprises like the one you dropped on our lap tonight. This girl, whoever she is?—”

“—War and River’s sister.”

Flicking my burning cigarette to the ground, I stomp on it with my shoe. “She’s younger than River. Which would mean that it would have happened after the fact.”

Pop’s eyes burn into mine. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong. Nate is as loyal to Tillie as any of them are. It isn’t as simple as cheating, but if you’re asking if there’s a chance I dragged her from the farm, then…why don’t you go and see if there are any missing?” That would require me setting foot onthe new island War and Halen are playing with, and since it’s fallen into the category of what Halen is taking care of, I’m not interested. She still reports to me on what needs to be done.

Closing his door, the bright headlights of his car turn to embers as he disappears through the wired gates. Without him near, the music from behind me comes into focus, and I turn, staring at the swarm of people going in and out of my house. I thought Halen was joking when she decided to throw the after-party here, turns out, I underestimated my sister’s relentless spite.

Three boys stumble down the steps that lead to the front door, and I snatch the bottle off the one closest on my way back into the house. Even almost a week after Dad gave me the key that burns against my thigh, it’s all that lives inside my head. Why. It doesn’t make sense, and if I don’t figure it out soon, carnage will spill out into our streets.

I stop at the threshold of the lounge, leaning against the wall. It isn’t hard to spot someone that you almost feel conditioned to find. As if I’ve been fed her essence my entire life so she’s never lost again.

Her head swings back when River says something, her blonde hair catching the soft illumination of outdoor lighting. With how far the infinity pool hangs over the cliff, I know I went over the top with the theatrics of what I use it for.

Someone’s shoulder brushes mine. “When are you going to finally realize that you were wrong?” A chrome plate is handed to me, lined with white powder.

“Show me where I was wrong?” Tapping on the rolled hundred-dollar bill, I bring it to my nose and snort the first two lines, clearing my nostril and closing my eyes. Music becomes louder as the energy inside of me rises the longer I’m standing still.

Vaden holds the plate without taking it back, and my eyes swing to his. “The part where you look at her different to how you do everyone else.”

Chemicals turn to liquid down the back of my throat. This time when I find her outside, she’s dancing up against Stella. Without the ritzy gowns and updos, they look free. Their age. “Because I have a particular need to kill this one.”

He scoffs as if he doesn’t believe me, patting my shoulder before leaving. “Talk to her.”

I don’t bother telling him to fuck off. He knows he’s over-stepped. Vaden is by far my best friend, but even he gets lost along the way of stay in your lane.

Grabbing at the collar behind my tee, I tear off my shirt and toss it. Before I can take the first step toward her, a hand is on my chest. Who the fuck would be bold enough to do that?

“Priest…” Her mouth kicks up in a smirk, and my head tilts to the side as I take in her features. Shoulder-length black hair, tiny nose, and rounded lips. Her physical features are only half the charm. “I heard about the last girl who was here in my shoes.”

My hand finds her throat as I force her lips close. She doesn’t flinch or pull away. She holds my eyes the way they’ve been trained to do. Her lips brush mine and the bitch has the balls to smile. “Are you dumb, or do you have a death wish?” I bite the soft pillow of her lip before the first touch of metallic tarnishes my tongue.

Nothing.

Void.

Empty.

Bored.

Shoving her backward, I search her eyes when she steps back. “There a reason why you’re here?”

Fucking Halen. I didn’t want anyone at my house, much less a bunch of drunk college students who don’t know when to call it a night.

I’ve made it outside when I realize she’s still on my tail. Of course she is. Obviously I’m not sending a bold enough message.

“First, are you going to ask me my name?”

I’ll be sure to make them feel uncomfortable enough to leave.

Laughter bubbles from my chest. “No.”

She’s like a fucking puppy with a new bone when she follows me to the edge of the pool. Unlatching my belt, my eyes land on Vaden as I bite my lit cigarette into my mouth, squinting around the cloud of smoke.

Vaden’s sprawled over a sun chair in a ray of horny girls, and when his eyes shift over my shoulder, his mouth curves into a smirk.

Even in the cool night, I barely feel the bite of weather. It’s not until hands come to my stomach with scarlet-red painted nails that my blood turns to ice. They dip beneath the band of my jeans and disappear into my briefs. The warmth of her hand does nothing to replace the sharp rhythm of frost beating through my veins.

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