Page 33 of Song of Tenebrae

“That’s the weird thing,” Tiny whispers and steps further into my room, shutting the door behind her, “he was acting really strange.”

“They are the epitome of strange,” I roll my eyes, “have you not heard anything we’ve been telling you?”

“He told me that sometimes he doesn’t feel like he belongs and this place brings it out more. He wants to take me away and make me fly.”

Her words cause my stomach to flip and Sky looks at me with large round eyes of fear. Sky told me on her night, the night I stabbed Hail, he explained to her that everyone wanted him to help her fly and when she questioned what that meant, he had said death.

“He told you he wants to make you fly?” My voice trembles as Tiny nods.

“I’m going to talk to Hail,” Sky makes a pained face and gets up from the bed.

“No,” I cut her off, “it’s time I talk to the man who’s made this thing a fucking tradition.”

Both girls look at me with fear and I swallow my own down, I need to face him at some point. It might as well be now when they’re planning to off one of my best friends.

I storm out of the bedroom and head left, walking aimlessly. I have never been in his room, he only ever came to mine, and now I look like a fucking idiot.

“Miss?” I turn to see an older man with grey hair and cataracts in his eyes slowly moving toward me, “can I help you?”

“Is Raiden’s room down there?” I point beyond his shoulder in the direction he was coming from.

“No, that area is off limits, no one is there.” His hand touches my arm, “maybe I can help you?”

“Not unless you know the kill schedule for tonight?”

His eyebrows shoot to his receding hairline and his eyes look like they’re going to pop right out of his skull.

“Oh, well… miss…”

“It’s okay Eddy,” his raspy voice hits my ears, “I got it from here.”

Eddy gives a quick nod and begins his descent down the stairs, his steps slow and measured. Once he is out of sight, I turn on the man who always seems to know where I am.

“What’s down that hallway?” I thumb over my shoulder.

“Nothing anymore, Kenny used to stay down there when he was here and our old bedrooms used to be there, before we renovated. Why?” He raises a perfectly arched brow and my chest tightens.

“If nothing, then why was Eddy down there?” Thunder chooses that moment to boom and I scream, the house shaking with the force.

Raiden’s fingers skim along my cheek as he chuckles, “probably checking all the windows, it’s a bad storm.”

His fingers leave a trail of heat and I shudder from the contact. I open my eyes and see he’s moving closer, his light golden green eyes sparkling. I rear back and slap his hand away from my face, growling in frustration.

“I’m not wearing this.” I hold out my arms and display the outfit.

“Looks like you already are-”

“And Tiny doesn’t die tonight, Squall does.” I cut him off and watch as his eyes darken, those perfect brows nearly touching.

“What did you say?”

“Squall told Tiny he wants to make her fly and I’m telling you, he can fucking try.” No waver in my voice and I’m proud of how strong I sound.

“That’s what he said?”

“That’s what he said.” I affirm, “get me something decent to wear and tell your murdering Satan humping friends to fuck a bee’s nest.”

His eyes widen at my words and I can see him struggling not to smile, “got it. I will pass on the message but you are wearing this.” His thumb glides between my breasts in the leather bikini top and down over my stomach, stopping at the waistband of my truly short skirt. The slit in it also stops at the waistband and wearing panties will be impossible.

---