Page 16 of Song of Tenebrae

I grab my knife from the drawer and pull on my black velvet robe, rushing to tie it up as I run out of the room. I hear Tiny calling out to me but I can’t miss it. I’m sure he saw me watching him and if he’s a coward, then he may already be gone. But it’s Raiden, he’s many things, and a coward is not one of them.

Chapter Six

Raiden

I walk in through the entrance with my hood pulled down over my face. I’m late tonight because Kenny was acting up. Torrent had threatened to kill him earlier in the day and when he was brought his food, he demanded we eat some of it first. He’s becoming more of a nuisance and I can’t wait to be finally rid of him.

I stand there at the entrance and watch as my demon struts off the stage. The disappointment rushes through me at missing her dance and I contemplate just turning around and leaving for tonight. I’m tired and I don’t know that I have the patience to continue avoiding her.

I continue to stand at the entrance, indecision wracking my brain, and watch as she storms out of the dressing room corridor. She bypasses the men’s hands that try to touch her, the other men asking for private dances, and stays on a direct course to the upper level. It’s dark up there, I should know, it’s where I go to watch her, and I can’t help the trepidation I feel. She looks determined to face whatever may be up there and it’s obviously not me.

I rush after her, panic being the most prominent emotion, and almost get bowled over by someone. I don’t bother paying the guy any attention as I keep her in my sights and follow closely. She reaches the furthest corner table and growls in frustration at seeing it empty. I flatten myself to the wall and watch as she looks around, her gorgeous face set with determination. She still looks the same up close and she smells the same, but she’s also different. She’s hardened like steel but I know with enough heat, she will bend to my will.

Her jaw is clenched tight as she turns and heads for the front entrance, probably hoping once again to confront them. I don’t have the energy tonight to kill anyone else so I follow behind once again and watch as she disappears outside. I open the door, readying for her to see me, and all I see are the tail ends of her robe disappearing around the corner.

It’s pitch black out and the streetlamps don’t illuminate the area well. The only bright light is the neon pinkGirls, Girls, Girlssign that blinks annoyingly.

“Raiden!” She screams and my breath is lodged in my throat at the sound of her saying my name, “come out here you son of a bitch.”

I stand at the end of the building and watch her as she does a full circle behind the club. It’s fucking dark back here and anyone could snatch her or kill her. She’s unbothered by it though and I am once again struck by her strength. It’s a stupid bravery though, nothing about standing in a robe - a woman - and taunting a maniac to come out of the shadows is smart. Sure, she’s brave, she’s also fucking stupid.

“Tempest!” I hear Sky behind me and I slip under their wooden staircase leading to the second floor.

Thankfully, someone is watching her and her reckless fucking ways. Sky runs up to her and looks around as well.

“What are you doing?” she sounds out of breath, properly worried about her friend’s mental state. So, the fuck am I.

“He was here.” Tempest says through her teeth, “I saw Raiden.”

She didn’t see me and that is worrisome as well.

“Are you sure?” Sky now looks around with a purpose, knowing I have been here before.

“I saw his legs.”

What?

“What?” Sky mimics my thoughts. “His legs?”

“Yes! The way he always sat,” she does another sweep around her, “his boots.”

I look down at the black combat boots I always wear and my brow crinkles in thought, is someone acting like me here? But why?

“Regardless of if it was him or not, it’s not safe out here, Temp.” Sky tugs on her arm and she reluctantly follows her.

“I will kill him.” She mumbles as they walk past me, her words filled with promise.

“I know.” Sky says her voice level. She believes her, too.

They move out of earshot and I come out from under the stairs, my mind working to put together their conversation. Who was in the club tonight? Why would she mistake them for me? I call back to the house to speak to my brothers. Torrent has been out all evening because of the Kenny situation, and Hail has been locked tight in his room.

“Hey,” Squall answers.

“Who’s home?”

“Hail is still in his room, he hasn’t come out, and Torrent came home a few hours ago. He’s in his room with the music blaring.”

When Torrent gets like that, he’s trying to forget, and I won’t disturb him. Hail has been suffering from migraines and I don’t want to drag him out either.

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