Page 24 of Penance

I can feel her.

The room is darker than I’ve ever seen. The large, floor to ceiling, heavy black drapes are tugged tightly shut, blocking the glass wall entirely. A large, glass, oval dining table sits dead centre, it could easily seat eighteen people, high back velvet chairs lining both sides. A thick white rug beneath it, the kind that your bare toes can’t help but push themselves into.

The hiss of a match draws our attention to the far end of the table. The small flame lighting Kyla-Rose just enough to see her. The lit stick pinched delicately between her finger and thumb, she cocks her head. The matchbox tucked beneath her chin, watching the flame dance closer and closer to her fingers. She drops it down, the flame dying as she strikes another. This time she reaches slightly forward, lighting tall candles perched in a candelabra. More light illuminating her perfect features, the light dancing in her large eyes and revealing her two companions.

One sat either side of her. Brute on her right, his raven-black body sitting up in the chair, tucked into the table. His big pink tongue lopping out one side of his mouth. A gold crown perched on top of his flat head, his usual heavy gold chain collar proudly around his neck. Thick globules of dribble dropping onto the glass tabletop. And then there’s Angel on her left. The white she-devil mirroring Brute’s stance, her muscled Pitbull body angled slightly towards Kyla-Rose. No crown sitting on her head but a large gold curb chain dripping with blood red rubies adorns her neck. Both dressed exactly as Kyla-Rose treats them. Like royalty.

“What are you doing, baby girl?” I ask her confidently as I notice the black china dressing the table, dainty teacups with gold handles and matching saucers.

“We’re having tea,” she rasps, her quiet, husky words scratching themselves into my soul.

“Tea?” I repeat, a little unsure.

She doesn’t respond, doesn’t look up. Nox and Kacey silent behind me, allowing me to take the lead. I can be gentle when I need to be, I can talk people down.

Usually.

“In that case, we’d love some tea! May we join you, Darlin’?” I ask her in my usual cheery tone.

I take a step further into the room, more confidently than my last. This is my fucking girl, I can run with this shit. Silently, Kyla-Rose drags three cup and saucer sets towards her. Which is when I notice her injured hand tucked up tightly against her chest, cradled against her breastbone. My chest prickles, a shudder rolling through me. I can’t stand seeing her hurt.

I wrinkle my nose, taking another step into the dark room. She lifts the large teapot and begins pouring into each cup, before filling a cup in front of both Angel and Brute. The latter of which immediately dives into his dainty teacup, snorting and lapping at the obviously cooled tea. I smile at that, I fucking love these dogs. I spent hours trying to get them to like me without having Angel rip one of my hands off.

I roll my shoulders back and stroll down the long length of the table. Kyla-Rose placing the teapot down, her eyes rolling up to watch me approach from beneath her heavenly thick lashes. I take the black velvet chair directly beside Brute, patting him on the chest as I settle in my seat. Kyla-Rose straightens her head before tilting it to the other side. Without taking those beautiful storm cloud eyes from mine, she pushes a cup and saucer towards me. I reach across Brute, purposefully brushing my long fingertips over hers. She freezes, looking down where our fingers barely graze and shudders, her shoulders shaking. She shuts her eyes tightly, sliding her fingers back towards herself before opening them and staring down her other two boys.

And I saytwobecause let’s face it. Nox is here to stay. I’m already on board, not to say there wouldn’t be teething problems, but still. I’m just waiting for the other three fuckheads in this potential relationship to realise it.

“Are you having tea?” she slowly blinks up at them, once, twice, her large, pretty grey orbs staring hard, face blank of all emotion, lost inside her own head.

Don’t worry, baby girl, I’m gunna find ya.

Kacey moves first, bravely taking the seat beside Angel. She snaps at him as he slumps into his seat, a manic grin on his face as he says, “down, girl. Bloodthirsty just like your mama, huh?” he chuckles, the sound deep as he bravely pats Angel’s shoulder, scratching the place beneath her collar.

Nox silently moves into the seat beside mine, stiff and unsure as he slides his chair beneath the table. He briefly flicks his gaze to mine, and I subtly nod letting him know I’ve got this.

“So, Darlin’, anyone else joinin’ this soirée, or will it just be us?” I ask with a smile, plastering on fake confidence,fuck,I wanna hold her so bad.

“Mmm,” she hums, bringing a teacup to her gnawed lips, even in only candlelight I can see they’re bitten raw. “Charlie is coming,” she says after taking a sip, her husky voice dripping the words like thick honey.

“How long will he be, Sweetheart?” Kacey asks casually, stroking Angel’s back.

“Shouldn’t be long now,” she almost sings, and I freeze at her new tone.

This one dark and sinister, the new smile accompanying her words makes my heart stutter in my chest.

“He had to make a stop along the way.”

Chapter6

Kyla-Rose

My heart pounds erratically inside my chest, slamming against my ribcage, adrenaline coursing through my veins as I chew on my bottom lip. The anticipation of what’s to come sends heat shooting up my spine in excitement. Huxley, Kacey, and Max being here only adds to the thrill, and the best part? The best part is they have no fucking idea what’s in store. They haven’t seen me play yet, and I have a feeling this show’s going to be my best one yet.

I won’t need to question this lowlife specimen bottom feeder; I just need to cleanse my soul and he’s a part of the reaping.

A baptism in blood, an unholy eucharist, a divine exorcism, a blood oath and soul splitting ritual. I was born of crimson and hellfire, birthed in ash and reborn of the Devil himself. I just need to remember how to use that to my advantage.

I’ve gonesoft.

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