Page 4 of Sire
Two blood red marks on the inside of her wrists. Two on the tops of her bare feet. They look like the nail wounds of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Days from now, I’ll realize her tattoos are my sign. My greatest temptation and salvation.
Right now?
I get in his face. “Don’t fucking touch my property.”
“She’s not yours yet. Maybe I should have her first. We’ve been saving them all, ten little virgins. But this one? I think I’ll break her before you buy her.”
“Two million.” My lip curls.
He tilts his head.
Fuck, that was too much.He’s suspicious.
“If she’s worth so much to you…” He pulls a knife from the pocket of his khaki pants. “How about I take a pound of flesh, too?”
A sob breaks the youngest girl, burying her face in her shaking hands.
Dragging herself up, the Iron Angel reaches for her, protecting her like a big sister.
God, save her. The youngest girl barely looks fourteen.The same age as my mother when she was kidnapped and trafficked to my father.
But my Iron Angel? She acts wiser than her years.Dear Lord, she’s brave.
“What do you want?” I stare down the seller.
“How about I take a pound of flesh from her,” he points his knife at the youngest girl, “and the virgin flower from her.”
He grabs the Iron Angel, and something in me snaps.
I did this for my brother. I sacrificed myself.
And I’ll do this for her—a complete stranger.
From as young as I can remember, a spirit has moved through me. I can’t describe it, and I don’t need to. It speaks and I listen.
The problem is.
Is it God?
Or the Devil?
“Take a piece of my flesh.” I don’t care. My spirit speaks, using my mouth, “Take a piece of me and give me these girls.”
“Why?”
Yeah, he’s suspicious.
“Because I like blood.” I’m not lying. “I like mine. I like theirs. I like cutting and breeding, and let’s start the fun now.”
Quoting scripture, I hold out my left hand, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying of my hands.”
“What the fuck?” The seller scoffs.
But the Iron Angel…
Her eyes widen, not knowing what she’s seeing, staring at me, but she knows scripture. She must be wondering,Why is God’s word spewing from the Devil’s mouth?
