Page 23 of Doesn't Count

“Damn, Ash knows her stuff!” Hypnos laughs, climbing out of his bunk and joining us in the kitchen.

“Yeah, he’s not ready to explain either of those songs.” Koke mutters, taking the seat next to me.

“Fine, then. What or who is your muse? Where do you find your inspiration?” I decide on something a little easier.

“I wouldn’t call it inspiration. It’s more of a desperation to crack open the darkness inside of me and let it seep out little by little. Song by song.” Khaos explains.

“Have you ever heard of therapy?” I tease.

His eyes harden on me, but our attention is pulled by a knock at the door. Than answers and lets an older man onto the bus, about as old as my dad is.

He passes us without a word and closes himself behind a door that leads to the driver’s seat like a cockpit on a plane.

“Who was that?” I point in the direction of the man.

“Our driver. He doesn’t usually interact with us much. Likes to stay out of our business.” Kokytos answers.

“Are we picking up my bags?” I finally ask.

“Yeah, I guess we are.” Khaos grumbles.

We’re only driving for a few minutes before the bus stops again. Khaos nods his head towards the door, letting me know that we’re back at the barn. I jump out of the booth and climb down from the bus, the wooden hell hole staring at me.

“Well, go on.” Khaos whispers from behind me. “It’s just inside.”

Immediately a red flag goes up and I’m suddenly wary of the situation. I don’t want to play any more games, I just want my clothes.

He follows me inside and the doors close behind him. I see two bags in the center of the barn and relief floods me. I run to them, unzipping the smaller one to make sure my computer and camcorder are still there, and they are.

I grab the handle of both of them while also trying to keep the cloak closed, but Khaos doesn’t move from in front of the doors.

“I think it’s my turn to ask you some questions.” He smirks, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I’m an open book. Ask away.”

He steps closer to me, trying to scare me once again, but this time I don’t budge. I tilt my head, waiting patiently for him to ask his stupid questions.

“How did you get assigned to our band?” His eyes narrow.

I smile, “You’re going to love this one. My boss thinks I don’t take enough risks, so he gave me an easy assignment. When you’re a nobody, there’s a lot more information to uncover.”

His head jerks back as if he’s offended but recovers quickly. “Sounds like your boss doesn’t know anything about us because I promise, Eris, that your time with us will be anything but easy.”

“Yeah, yeah.” I wave him off, pretending like he doesn’t affect me.

“After last night, why did you decide to stay?” He questions, his tone wrapped in a subtle hint of curiosity.

“Again, you don’t know me. You think you can run me off by playing some scary little games? You’re delusional.” I step back as he inches forward, “And just because my boss doesn’t think I’ll take risks, doesn’t mean it’s true. I’m not losing my job, even if this assignment sucks.”

Suddenly, I feel the wooden door of a stall hitting my back, swaying with the contact. I frown, wondering why he’s herding me into this little box. He pushes further until we’re both closed inside, caging me with his hands, my back against the wall.

My heart flutters in my chest at his proximity. I’ve never had a man this close to me, let alone a man filled with so much rage. I catch sight of his bare biceps next to my ears, the muscles bulging and slithering with tension. I’m so flustered by his body nearly flush with mine that it’s causing havoc inside my mind.

He dips his head in the crook of my neck, trailing his covered nose along my skin, nudging his cloak off the cliff of my shoulder. It falls and though I’m slow, I catch itbefore it slips open. I realize I’m panting, my breath escaping in short, choppy spurts, giving me away.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, afraid to make any sudden movements.

He inhales, smelling me, causing my mouth to pop open in shock. I’ve never had a man smell me before, or really anyone for that matter. It’s... alarming.

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