Page 58

Samuel

My head is pounding as I lean against the wall, watching as a bloody fist slams into Mr. Crawson's face again and again.

His body is tied to a chair in the center of the room. One of his eyes is already swollen shut, his lip is split, and I am pretty sure his nose is broken in more than one spot. But we aren’t even close to done with this fucking asshole yet.

Not after he tried to belittle me and my power as the Vessel in front of the whole community.

No, that shit doesn’t work with me, I will not let that slide.

I had my men pick him up a couple of days ago.

Keeping him down here in the basement of the house.

I made sure to make this place into my second office, one that was sound proof and equipped with other ways to make sure my members stayed in line.

My father did the same, but he made many mistakes.

The people of Everton didn’t step on his toes like they do for me.

I need to make sure they know who is in charge. That I’m the Vessel, regardless of my age or how sudden my power came.

It was my birthright. It was mine to claim.

“ Please. Mr. Donovan. I-I’m sorry.”

“I know you are.” I say blandly. “And you will learn just how sorry that is.”

The door to the basement opens, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs fills the room. One of my men, Carl, comes into view with what I asked him to bring me.

“You see, Mr. Crawson, I understand you’re not in favor of my role as Vessel to the Divine. You’ve made it abundantly clear where you stand. So much so that you took it upon yourself to question me in front of everyone.” I step closer to Carl and he hands what I asked for over to me.

“N-no sir. I ju–” His eyes widen as I rip the covering off of the figure I hold. “Honey–” His voice cracks, “Nancy? Oh my god! What have you done!?” He screams at me as he takes in the sight of his wife in my hands.

We didn’t mess with her, yet. She was just locked in a room, waiting until this exact moment. She looks tired, her eyes swollen and pink from crying. Drool coats her chin from the gag in her mouth.

“You think you can question me and not have a consequence?” I laugh, “There is a price to pay, Mr. Crawson.” I shove Mrs. Crawson away and one of my men wraps his arms around her chest, keeping her back against him. “You did this, Mr. Crawson. Not me. You.”

I watch as the blade of a knife flips out and press it to Mrs. Crawson’s throat. She screams around the gag in her mouth, muffled words I can’t make out as more tears stream down her face.

“No! No, you can’t!” he shrieks.

“I beg your pardon, what was that?” I step closer to him in the chair, my height towering over him, “Did you just say I can’t ?

” I kick the chair over, his head smacks against the concrete floor with a thump.

I step over him and press my foot on his face, forcing him to look at his wife.

“I don’t take orders from you. I do what I fucking want.

And what I want is for you to pay for your words, for your actions against me.

” I press my foot down harder. “You tried to dismiss the disappearance of my wife. So, I’ll do the same.

” I give a single nod. “You should apologize to her for putting her in this situation.” I hissed.

The tip of the blade presses into the side of her throat and she cries in pain.

“Nancy! I’m s–” the blade drags across her neck. Red spills from her neck, faster than the screams clawing their way from his throat. He wails into the room, his body thrashing against the restraints.

I bend down closer, the smell of his sweat and blood making my stomach turn, “You’ll have to live with the fact that you killed her for the rest of your life, Mr. Crawson.” I chuckle at how pathetic he looks squirming beneath me, removing my foot from his face.

“Clean this shit up,” I say as I turn to leave the room.

They will know who has the power, even if it means I have to show them over and over again.

They need me, but I need Eden.