Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 798(@200wpm)___ 638(@250wpm)___ 532(@300wpm)
The voices around us are hushed now, so I easily hear a soft thump nearby. I turn, confused, only to spot Creep straightening. It takes me a second, but I glance up. He must have jumped down from the ledge next to a crevice high up on the wall. How did he get there in the first place? Fuck knows. That man is like some cave-crawling creature, and even Prophet doesn’t know where he sleeps.
Creep stares past me with eyes black as beetles. “Parker, do you really claim you’ll go to the cops when you’re a fugitive? We know you escaped from jail in Texas,” he delivers the information calmly, but there’s something disturbing in his blank expression. He licks one of his fangs as though he’s a vampire on the prowl for a victim. Or a mountain lion that will pounce on Parker’s back the moment he turns.
Parker freezes, maybe even sobering up a little at the threat. So I add another one. “Be a good boy, or I’ll come for you. You have until sundown to get yourself out of here.”
Everyone’s quiet now, and I can practically hear the crowd around us breathing as they await the final result of the confrontation. Parker’s chin trembles, but then he’s off, muttering beneath his breath. I catch Creep’s gaze, and he nods.
“I can keep an eye on him.”
I walk up to Isaac and pat him on the back. “You good?”
He nods and gives me a quick pat as well. “Thanks for having my back. Some time ago, you said your bike was making a noise. You want me to squeeze you in? I could take a look at it,” he says as everyone is ushered back to their jobs, deeper in the cave.
My mouth drops open, because I’ve forgotten about it. Clyde said the same thing once happened to him and dealt with the weird noise for me two weeks back. He looked really hot fixing my bike in the sun, hair in a ponytail.
“Ah… it was just a loose cover. Dealt with it myself, but thanks,” I tell him and pat his back.
Just as I’m leaving the cave, Prophet bumps into me. His bright green eyes search my face. “All good? Heard Parker’s out?”
News travel fast here. When asked about it, Prophet sometimes jokes the birds tell him all the freshest gossip. I’m becoming inclined to believe that.
“Finally. Told you he was bad news. I know people like him,” I say, shrugging as we walk back to the settlement arm-in-arm.
Prophet scowls. “Everyone deserves a chance. You know yours—”
“Oh, come on,” I growl, frowning. “I was never like that junkie. Bet he only moved in for cheap drugs.”
So maybe I am snappy, but I’ve grown used to a steady supply of hot male flesh, and turns out I’m not getting any tonight.
Prophet sighs, glancing to the far-off lake glittering in the sun. He’s only wearing jeans and an open leather vest, which reveals lots of occult-themed ink, courtesy of Brigid. When I follow his gaze, all it reminds me of is Clyde stepping into the water naked, the cute little dimples on his ass becoming more pronounced as he clenches his butt.
“Fair. He got several chances. Can’t save those who don’t want to be saved.”
“Ah, there he is. The aspiring cult leader we all know and love,” I say, elbowing my prez in the side. “When are we bringing back orgies to get closer to the higher power?”
Prophet rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling as we walk past the basketball court. “There’s a right time for everything—”
“Which means what? That you aren’t yet sure if you should allow just women, or everyone?” I tease.
Prophet points to my neck. “Maybe if you bring the girl who gave you that hickey, I’ll allow you to stay at my orgy.”
I stall, touching the mark Clyde left on me last time. It’s embarrassing, but I’ve already lied about dating someone, so I might as well continue with that. “She’s… shy about people knowing.”
Prophet’s expression changes from playful to a concerned frown. “Don’t waste time on a girl ashamed of seeing you, brother. Unless she’s a throwaway, then who am I to judge?” He stretches in the sun, showing off his chest tattooed with all kinds of symbols I know nothing about. Brigid also tried to get me to tattoo some protection sigils. I refused.
Prophet doesn’t know much about the person I’m seeing, but his words still grate on me. “Watch your mouth,” I tell him, briefly tugging on his magical necklaces. “We’re working things out. She doesn’t know whether she... wants to rock the boat yet. With her family, I mean.”
Prophet raises his hands in defeat. “Okay, okay, my lips are sealed, but speaking of bruises… Apparently Clyde Turner’s got a big one on his face. My friend at the gas station saw him today. Loads of Butchers were leaving town. Something’s brewing.”