Page 11 of Soul

Yeah, why on earth would he look at a single mum of twenty-six with two children? Frumpy was my average look most days! Shame, though, because he was totally gorgeous.

Soul

Damn, I’d never paid much attention to the family next door, but the kids spying on me had garnered it.

I sat on my bike as Bryony wrangled Maci into the car. Hell, I had not even realised that Maci was in a wheelchair, which shamed me a little. They’d come out the same time as me and hadn’t realised I’d been present. My ears had perked up at the mention of bullying and the alarm in Bryony’s voice.

Had the kids been bullied at a previous school? Was Maci’s wheelchair the reason? I wondered what else there was behind that story. It seemed the father had been involved in Maci’s accident. There was a puzzle next door, and it intrigued me.

Still considering what I’d overheard, I rode into the cemetery the club owned and I managed. The whole hog was here. A funeral director and casket and gravestone showrooms were based in the main building, which resembled a house.

It was unusual to have a funeral director working out of a cemetery, but it worked well for the club. We also had an on-site crematorium. Families came here and checked us out and picked a plot, and my staff oversaw it. It was rare I had to get involved with a family. The other day’s event was a rarity.

My office was upstairs and soundproofed, so any lies happening downstairs didn’t filter their way up to me. I was grateful to Warden for the extra mile he went to ensure those who had blowback with our abilities were as comfortable as possible.

I checked the funerals for the week and noted a couple of late payments. Highlighting them, I placed them in my out tray for the secretary to pick up on, and then I headed downstairs. Everyone believed that working in a funeral parlour was a serious, miserable thing. It wasn’t. Nor was ghoulish humour much in evidence. Oh, it existed, but not to the extent someone might believe.

I checked everybody had what they required and looked at any issues that needed fixing before heading back upstairs. Today should be a short one for me.

???

No sooner than I’d entered the clubhouse, heels clicked towards me.

I sighed inwardly as Kiki smiled and aimed straight at me. Ignoring her and hoping she’d get the hint of leaving me alone, I walked to the bar. Priest was behind it serving, and he nodded as he placed a cold Coke in front of me. I rarely drank because I didn’t want to lose control of my ability.

Going around telling everyone they were liars and what they were lying about was never a pretty scene. Lila had taught me self-control from an early age.

I nodded at the guy I’d been a prospect with.

“How’s shit?”

“Same old. Although the birds are saying the wind is changing,” Priest answered.

“What does that mean?” I inquired.

Priest’s ability was being able to calm and talk to animals. He could command them to do as he wished, and it was a frightening power. Priest was on edge with people but fully relaxed when surrounded by animals. Warden had been discussing opening an animal shelter with Priest in charge.

Ever since Priest and I had joined the same day, there’d been a never-ending parade of animals who visited. Noble had made a joke that it was like Priest was holding an animal church, and that’s how he’d got his name.

“There’s something in the wind.”

“The Bloody Scorpions? Or the Screaming Barons?” I asked.

Naturally, our club wasn’t fighting just one other MC. We had to be awkward. RBMC was at war with the Bloody Scorpions and on the verge of war with the Screaming Barons. Tap, the President of the Bloody Scorpions’ Maine chapter, was our natural enemy. War had been declared a long time ago with them, and it was nationwide. The clubs took potshots at each other when chances arose.

The Screaming Barons was a local problem and one we’d eventually deal with. Warden was wary of going to war with McKay, but it would happen. The man was an animal and needed putting out of his misery.

“Not sure. Just the birds sense unease on the wind, and it’s making them restless. Some have even started migrating early. Others, the hunters, are gathering in expectation of a feast,” Priest answered.

“Nasty,” I said.

“True, though. The animals watch the two compounds for us and report back. Some of what they say is senseless. Who can understand a squirrel? The fuckers don’t stop talking and are airheads.” Priest sighed.

Yeah, we’re talking about squirrels being informants.

“You’re keeping Warden up to date?”

“Naturally. Anything relevant comes my way, I inform Prez asap,” Priest agreed.

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