Page 77 of Doesn't Count

Blane smiles over at me, an eyebrow quirked. Luckily, he doesn’t press, letting the innuendo stifle the air.

We make small talk until it’s time for the guys to get on stage. They rush out, the crowd never ceasing to amaze me with their energy. Fans scream and cry, their arms raised in worship, pleading for an ounce of attention.

As the first song on the set starts, Blane turns to me. “Your articles that you’ve been writing, they’re cute. They keep the fans entertained, but this project is more than just a Wikipedia page on the band members. I need something much more substantial, something that would shock their fans. Something like... their faces.”

Sweat slowly coats my body, my heartbeat unsteadies inside my chest. “That’s not something we can do. We signed a contract agreeing that was the one boundary we wouldn’t cross.”

Blane shrugs. “What’s a couple hundred-thousand-dollar lawsuit when we can triple our audience?”

I shake my head, not comprehending what he’s asking. “I just got them to trust me. They’re a really closed off group of guys. I don’t think asking them for their faces is going help. It would ruin their whole reputation.”

“I thought you were rebranding yourself? Ready to take more risks.” Blane mocks me.

“I am, but I don’t-”

“Your job depends on this, Ashton.” He warns.

My stomach twists into knots, my heart squeezing with conflict. I need this job, it’s everything I’ve been working for and even though my feelings for Khaos are conflicting, I can’t do that to him or the guys.

Tension hangs heavy between us, Blane’s order hovering over my head like an anvil threatening to destroy me. I hardly notice the set has ended until Khaos does something he’s never done before. Panic strikes me dead center in my chest, his painted fingers caressing his mic. The crowd is mesmerized by his blackened jaw and demonic mask. They’re eerily silent, holding their breath as Khaos opens his mouth to speak.

“I don’t ever do this, but being back in my hometown makes me feel a certain way. Does anyone want to hear a new song we’ve been working on?” He asks the crowd.

They go ballistic, realizing they’re the first to ever experience this phenomenon. Blane turns to me, just as confused as I am. One because Khaos just released new information to the public, that he’s from Chicago, which he’s never even told me about. And two because he never shares a new song with fans before it’s released. Night’s Deadly Deeds isn’t known for their encores or interacting with fans, they embody their God Like pseudo personas at all times.

“I’ve been working on a little something. We’re calling it Ash’s to Ashes.”

The room quiets, allowing heavy chords to reverberate through the venue with sickening strums of Kokytos’ guitar. A deep, vibrating growl bellows from Khaos, riding on the waves of the melody.

“I’ll burn the world down with just one look...

With just one look.

I’ve wrapped you in fingers with a faux promise of pleasure.

Bringing you to the edge, just to pull you back under.

You beg for mercy, for my demon to spare you,

But you’re destined for Khaos, so accept that I own you.

You say that you hate me, my darling I hope that you do

Because the hate that I feel will only incinerate you.

There are so many lies inside those hypnotic blue eyes.

Only exposed when I make your body cry.

You long for my demons, desperate to play

With intentions to win, but never to stay.

Those talons so long, you dive in deep,

Scathing the heart that refuses to beat.

You say that you hate me, my darling I want you to

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