Page 2 of Crave

Silas turned away, moving first as he cut across the front of the gathering and barged past the Priest. The old man of the cloth stumbled sideways, his eyes widening with fear. His assistant lunged, grabbing hold of him to keep the old man upright as all heads tracked my brother.

“Jesus.” Gabe muttered as he shook his head.

Lincoln Ares stepped forward. Grabbing the Priest’s hand. “I’m sorry, Father. Please accept my apologies on behalf of my nephew. He’s in a lot of pain.”

The Priest nodded as everyone moved. Those behind us stepped around us, casting roses into the holes in the earth, moving from one, then to the other.

“Are you coming?” Gabe asked.

I turned my head, my thoughts achingly slow. The others were already gone. Theo, Jude…leaving Gabe as he waited for me. I gave a slow nod and followed, my heels sinking into the soft grass as we made our way to the reception.

This wasn’t for us.

This was for them.

For all the whispers and all the lies.

For the eyes that saw everything, drinking in our pain as though they were dying of thirst. I stepped up the stairs of the sprawling building, dark brown wood matched with black stone and steel made this place feel somber and empty.

The conversion burst into life as I stepped inside. All those fake tears that’d been holding back while the sermon was given now flowed freely and loudly. I followed the rest of my family, heading to a small room at the rear of the building. Platters of food lay spread out on tables, water and juice in full glass carafes that beaded on the outside.

Gabe grabbed a glass and poured, splashing apple juice into the depths before he grabbed them and headed back to me.

“How long do we have to stay here?” He asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t know, until we’re told we can leave, I guess.” I took the glass from him although I didn’t lift it to my lips.

I ached as I stood there. My ribs were painful, clenched tight around a heart full of lies. Others came and went. I lost track of their faces. Some blubbered, grabbing hold of me in a panic, their long nails clawing my arms as they slammed me against their chest.

I never fought, never pulled away, just emptied myself a little more, bit by bit until only the flesh remained. Until, finally…there was no more. I glanced around the small room, finding Jude at the doorway.

“Thank you for coming. Thank you…thank you so much for coming. Yes, we appreciate all your concern. We will reach out if we need anything. Thank you. Thank you for coming. Thank you.”

Over and over andover.

“Let’s get out of here.” Gabe whispered.

I gave a nod as he took the empty glass from my hand. I stared at it for a second, unable to remember when I drank the contents before he placed it down and motioned me forward. I followed him, slipping behind Jude and headed for the rear of the building where a car for us waited.

Silence lasted all the way home. Once we were inside Gabe turned around and gently pulled me close. “You can come to me anytime.” Thick, husky words filled my ears as I nodded.

I shifted against him feeling his hard chest pressed against mine. He’d become too big lately, too hard, too…masculine. Thank God he stayed sweet, unlike his brothers.

I wrapped my arms around him, gripped him tight and then pulled away. “I will, and you too. If you ever want to talk, or…”

“Sisterly advice.” He joked with a smile.

It was a joke, although none of it was funny. I winced, then gave a huff. “That’s it, sisterly advice, you know where to find me.”

“I do.” That sad smile grew only sadder as it stretched. “In the bedroom next to mine.”

I shook my head and stepped away, watching him turn around, taking long strides to head for the kitchen at the rear of the house. He was always headed there. I turned around, listening to the utter silence. There were no staff today. No house cleaner to dust or vacuum, adjusting the vases perfectly in place. No chef on standby to cook my brothers whatever they wanted. Just us. Just silence.

I glanced along the hall, catching Gabe disappearing before I headed for the front of the house. They say the study was a mess, blood splatter all over the walls and the floors. My steps were soundless on the thick runner along the hall, until I stepped onto the wooden floor and turned left toward the study.

The place where it happened.

Mom.