Page 53 of Anathema Codex

“We’re roommates,” I offer, hoping to save her from the hell she’s just swan-dived into.

She arches an eyebrow curiously at me before she turns her attention slowly toward Aftyn, who stiffens next to me. I smile despite myself.Just like his father.

“Weird. The way you two just went back and forth, I was so sure that maybe you were his stepdaddy,” she says with a smirk and a nod at Aftyn.

My eyes immediately cut to Lakyn who’s grinding his teeth. I can see the movement through his jaw, and I know there’s no saving anyone in this room now.

It just depends on whose blood he wants to have rush over his hands.

TWO

The Second Coming

LAKYN

I've never been one to give a shit about what other people do in their homes, or wherever the hell they do it, which includes the gay ones. This world is a mess most days, and whatever it takes to snag a piece of happiness for yourself—I say go for it. Personally, I've always been a fan of blasting the best songs of the eighties, seeing how creative I can be while I make a chick scream, and whether I give her the privilege of feeling my dick before she dies, or if I use Ichabod after the fun is over, it doesn't really matter.

It's my little slice of sunshine and happiness, and I got Ichabod fair and square. But the little blonde bitch on the couch thinks she's got me all figured out, like she has a fucking clue why Ichabod is in this house.

Not that I plan on explaining myself to her.

I hold onto the smile and stare at her until she starts to squirm, the smirk on her face wobbling for a second before it collapses completely. Then she clears her throat and looks over at the kid. "Aftyn, you've had your little family reunion. We should go."

"Be quiet," Aftyn hisses at her, and I chuckle and shift my gaze to Ichabod—who's still testing out his recently descended balls. He's pissed at me, but it's just because he's always had a hard-on for Trixie. I don't know why he won't just let the little satanic psycho go. She handed him over to me so she could be Satan's number one bitch, and it's not like I've changed my fucking address. If she really wanted to be Ichabod's savior or whatever, she's had plenty of time to show up.

Not that I would have let her take him, but I probably could have convinced her to bend over for me before I kicked her the fuck out.

Ichabod sighs and looks to the side, watching the blonde and the boy whispering at each other. It's annoying, and since I'm obviously not getting a strip tease out of the kid, then it's time to move to my back-up entertainment for the evening. Grabbing my cigarettes, I take another one out and light it, blowing a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling before I look at the last unwanted guest on the couch.

The redhead isn't paying attention to the irritating whispers beside her. Nope, she's got her eyes on me and I can tell she likes what she sees. But, who doesn't? I turn on my charming smile and lean forward, bracing my elbows on my knees, and the way she smiles back tells me that I might still have one potential member of the Cult of Lakyn.

I just don't know if she's worth the time or not.

"Hey, Red," I say, and she sits up a little straighter. So happy to be called on. "Since we're doing this whole family reunion thing… you wanna be part of the family?"

"What?" the blonde snaps, turning to scoff at the redhead, and I see the same flicker of rage on Red’s face that I saw outside. "This is ridi—"

"Yes," Red answers, eyes on me, exactly like they should be.

"Good. There's just one problem." Leaning back in the chair, I take another drag on my cigarette before I point it at the two young girls on the couch. "There's not enough room for everyone in the car," I continue, keeping my voice nonchalant as I meet Red's gaze. "Show me how bad you want it."

The redhead's smile spreads, and I'm not sure what I expected from her, but when she turns, unzips her backpack, and pulls out a knife, I let out a laugh.

"Shit!" the blonde shouts, jumping up from the couch. She almost falls over the coffee table but manages to move around it as Red rises much more calmly.

"What the fuck!" Aftyn shouts, but Ichabod grabs hold of the kid, yanking him back onto the couch before he looks at me. If Ichabod thinks I'm kidding, he might want to turn that sad puppy stare on the redhead currently facing off with the blonde in the middle of the living room. This chick is full of surprises, and I have to admit she reminds me a little bit of Trixie as she adjusts her hold on the knife, looking damn happy about it.

"Lakyn…" Ichabod says my name quietly, and I grin at him for a second, not wanting to miss a thing.

"Just enjoy the show. You don't want me bored, right?" I ask, and he snaps his mouth shut, holding tight to Aftyn as I turn back at the girls. “You two need to get all oiled up first?”

"You call this fair?" the blonde screeches, ignoring my very good suggestion as red just shrugs.

"I told you, I don't give a shit about fair," Red answers with that weird, stiff smile on her face. "I just want to see what you're like when you drop the mask."

I’m about to tell them to stop fucking around when the blonde screams and lunges for Red, grabbing onto her knife hand, but Red cracks her in the face with her elbow. The second the blonde stumbles back to grab her nose, Red buries the knife deep in her stomach and then yanks it upward. The blonde’s eyes go wide, and I stand up just to get a better angle. There's so much shock on her face, and I'm glad that at least one piece of entertainment worked out for the evening.

"NO!" the kid shouts, and Ichabod slaps his hand over the boy’s mouth, practically climbing in his lap to keep him on the couch. I'd be more interested in what the hell Ichabod thinks he's doing if there wasn't something beautiful happening center stage.

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