Page 2 of Ever Dark

I wait for Bones and Aries to drop their flowers before slamming the coffin shut. The crowd flinches at the loud bang. They can leave their flowers in the dirt where they belong.

As the three of us traipse back to the limo, tiny gasps and whispers echo behind us.

Fuck them.

I hold my finger up, pointing back toward the shocked crowd. “Take note.”

They both nod. “Bones and I will sort it out.”

I run a hand through my wet hair, slicking my black strands back off my forehead. I get a glimpse of myself in the tinted window, my golden eyes glowing like fireflies in the reflection of the headlights. Eyes like burnt honey, I’m told, but there’s no warmth inside. No sweetness. Just another tool I can use to my advantage. To lure in my prey.

I don’t wait for the chauffeur and instead yank the limo door open myself. “Fuck it. You’re both right. I can reschedule the meetings. I need a drink.”

Bones claps me on the back in excitement. “Thatta boy. Let’s go get into some trouble.”

Aries laughs as we pile into the limo. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Trouble always finds us.”

The bar is packed tonight. I welcome the noise of high-pitched laughter, glasses clanking, shitty rock music blaring from the speakers, and the clack-clack of pool balls right before a fight erupts between drunk douchebags who accuse the other of cheating. Just a typical night at Duff’s.

The bald owner is behind the bar, taking up most of it with his massive frame. He gives me a nod and slides three shots of Blackwell gin toward us. “First round’s on the house, boys. Just keep your tempers under control.”

I scowl at him. “You must have us confused with another group of devastatingly charming men.”

Duff arches an eyebrow. “You all broke three bar stools and my back window last time.”

Fucking hell, I’m already annoyed. “Andyouwere compensated above and beyond for it, Duff.”

Bones points to the speakers. “You even got a new sound system out of it. Quit crying like a little bitch and keep the shots coming.”

He shakes his head but stalks off, conceding. No one wants to start a war with the three of us. We make far better friends than enemies.

Aries bursts out laughing. “It’s not my fault the bar stool went through the window. The fucker ducked,” he shouts after him.

I sigh and tap my cigarette against the bar before lighting it. “Seriously, though, no brawls tonight. Burying one body was enough for me today.”

I scan the room, taking note of all the new faces. Another batch of outsiders are here to indulge in our fall festivities. The entire town square of Ever Graves becomes a haunted playground for paranormal lovers from all over Melancholia. Even Duff makes up these silly little ghost-themed cocktails. I told him I’ll turn him into a headless bartender if he ever tries to give me one.

Aries squeezes my shoulder. “Relax, Dray. Loosen up. You just became the richest fucker in Ever Graves today.”

Bones lifts his hands, a shot of gin in each one. “All this is yours now, my friend. Let’s drink to owning this fucking town.”

They’re right. I need to let go of some of this tension. I can still feel the rain on the back of my neck. Still smell the black dahlias on my fingers. It’s time to numb it all.

I wave Duff over. “Give me the bottle.”

He sighs and sets it on the bar with three fresh shot glasses. “Fuck it. You break anything, you buy it.”

I smirk as I line up three more shots. “Keep taunting me, Duff, and I’ll buy this whole fucking bar out from under you.”

His eyes widen before he dips his head. “Holler if you need anything else.”

That’s what I fucking thought, asshole.

With each shot, my shoulders relax. The knots in my back dissipate. I take off my tie and stuff it in my pocket. The heat in my chestrises as I eye all the pieces of ass surrounding us. All those short fucking skirts designed to be lifted for easy access.

Aries and Bones laugh and banter with several girls, all of them practically drooling over the attention. We’re a striking group. None of us has to do much to get laid. They come to us. But it lacks creativity.

I want to hunt. To stalk and trap. Fuck. My erection grows against my perfectly pressed black pants just thinking about it. But there’s no one worth chasing in this town. These chicks here tonight are so fucking thirsty. All I have to do is look in their direction. And I will. I just need to find one who isn’t going to bore me to death. I prefer them buzzed but not too obliterated that they can’t give me a decent blowjob. And the less chatty, the better.If I could find a mute one, my night would be complete.

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