Page 35 of A Taste of Bliss

I raise my head again towards the sky, wondering what the fuck the stars are playing at. “Fuck,” I breathe out. This definitely is not ideal, but mostly I just feel bad for Presley. While Simon is kindred and we can heal him with magic easily—well, Evan can anyways—Presley isn’t. It’d be illegal for us to interfere. More bullshit Born fae laws to supposedly make sure fae continue to fly under the radar. “It’s gonna be weird without him there.”

Simon nods, clasping his hands together. “I know I don’t have much experience,” Simon says slowly. “But I think I can take over for him, at least until he’s feeling better.”

I bump my shoulder into his. “We’d be lucky to have you. Though I’m not sure we can get another drum tech this quickly. Think you can handle both roles?”

Simon grins, nodding. “At least in the meantime, yeah.”

“Well, I’m sure you’ll do great,” I say, clapping him on the back.

He smiles softly at me, and then both our heads turn towards the doorway behind us as Marcus, our front-of-house engineer, and a few other of our crew including Niamh, my backup vocalist, enter. “Simon! You’re back,” Lily, one of our lighting techs, says, coming over and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.

“Hey guys,” Simon greets. Marcus, Gwen—our stage manager—and Niamh all find seats in the surrounding pews, handing around a bottle of something.

“Want any?” Marcus asks, holding out the bottle.

I shake my head, getting to my feet. “I’m good. I think I’m actually gonna head out for a walk, get some fresh air.”

They nod, saying their goodbyes, as Simon follows me.

“Need company?” he asks, standing in the hallway. Behind me it goes out to the front doors of the church. The opposite way leads back into the area Evan’s renovated into a pretty luxurious and large house that we all live in.

“I think I need some alone time. I keep getting writer’s block,” I admit.

He nods knowingly. “Alright, mate. I’ll see you later, then.”

With that we part ways.

I can feel a bit of tension leave now that he’s home, even with the bad news he brought.

I step out of the main entrance of the church, the grand doors swinging shut behind me.

It doesn’t take me very long to get to the park that’s my usual destination on my night walks. This area of town isn’t as populated so no one is really around as I make my way across the street. I hop the fence since it’s closed after dark and wander a path surrounded by trees until I find my way to a still, lifeless pond.

I sing the same song I sung for him all those nights ago. No idea if it will work.

But yesterday I had a pain in my chest that wouldn’t go away. It brought me to my knees and then to the floor and subsided eventually into a low ache.

Right where his claws had pierced my skin, right where my heart is.

The song wraith must be back. I’m not sure what happened to him, or where he went, but we struck a deal and he hasn’t yet delivered on his end.

“My favorite song,” a voice says from behind me. I turn, seeing the song wraith sitting on a wooden bench a few paces behind where I face the pond.

“I figured it would get your attention.”

“And pray tell, why do you need it?” he asks, that same bored look in his eyes.

“I’ve delivered on our bargain, and you’ve been nowhere to be seen. I want what you promised me.”

He stands up, taking a few steps towards me. I look down at him, though only by a few inches.

He curls his lip at me. “You’ve delivered? Delivered what?”

“Voracious Maw has an audience. That’s what you asked for.”

The song wraith sneers at me. “That isn’t nearly enough of an offering for me. What you’re asking me to do is no simple feat, boy.”

“How much is enough?”