Page 60 of Song of Tenebrae

“She may just love it,” Torrent answers Squall, “she has a sadistic streak and I hate to admit it, but she belongs here.”

“Suck up.” Squall mutters.

The music becomes louder and finally the girls come to join us at the table. Tempest and Torrent partake in white powder, something they both have in common. Hail and Sky sit on opposite ends of the table and yet the way they look at each other makes me believe they long to be closer. Squall is talking with Tiny more than he has since we’ve landed on the island and yet they feel miles apart.

“Two am.” Hail says and gives me a look. I nod and look around the table.

“Girls, it’s time to head on up to bed.” Sky stands, eager to leave, Tiny stands and follows behind her, but my demon lingers, her eyes on mine.

“I want to stay.”

“Hear that, brother?” Torrent throws his arm around her shoulders, “little demon sis wants to stay.”

I won’t say no to her, she should stay and get a feel for what will happen tomorrow night. She’ll be less surprised that way. I nod and her two friends begin to protest, probably worried I will kill Tempest as soon as they walk out.

Hail and Squall get up with groans and force the girls out of the room while Tempest watches them curiously. She wanted to stay because of this newfound connection we have, but the longer I watch her, the more I realize she has no idea what she’s in for. The doors close with a loud boom in the now silent room and Hail drops the wooden slat into place, effectively locking everyone out.

“Make sure you get the side door too,” I jut my chin toward the door Tempest got through last year, then stabbed Hail in the shoulder.

He must be thinking the same thing because he gives her a look as he crosses the room toward it. She slowly walks to me, her eyes on the stage, and I know she’s remembering Sky being up there last year.

“What’s happening?” She asks as I pull her down into my lap and nuzzle her neck.

“Exactly what you think is happening.” I grab her hair and yank her head back, giving me better access to her neck.

“Raiden, you guys are killing someone?”

“Oh yes,” Torrent nods as he watches Squall and Hail head into the basement.

“Wait, is it a woman?” She asks and I suddenly stall at her words.

“Why do you ask that?”

“Because I thought I heard a woman call my name from down there last night.” She murmurs.

“Not a woman,” Torrent shakes his head as Hail and Squall drag up a beaten man, “not tonight anyway.”

“Who is that?” Tempest asks and I force her to get up so I can walk over to the man who is dropped onto his knees in the middle of the floor.

“This is Eugene and he is a very close friend to the elders who are hunting us down.” I explain and Eugene slowly raises his bruised and swollen face. “He was here hunting you for them.” I tell her.

“No,” he croaks out but Squall is quick to slap him hard across the face.

“Do not speak.” He growls.

“He was staying on these very grounds, under our noses, and watching us closely.” I walk a circle around Eugene as he groans. “Planning to strike us all down.”

“Alone?” Tempest asks, sounding skeptical.

“Not alone,” Hail grins up at her, “his men were taken out.”

“That’s what you three were doing last night?” her eyes narrow on Torrent, “why didn’t you just say?”

“Just me and a few of our guards,” Squall answers.

She sits in a chair as the guys crowd around Eugene in a circle, I won't force her to participate just yet; watching will be enough for tonight. I pull off my shirt and discard it to the side with Hail’s and Squall’s.

“Eugene,” Torrent sneers as he hauls his shirt off and throws it to the side, “do you want to fly?”

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