Page 38 of Kentucky Nights (Dead Man’s Ranch #1)

Each of the clowns has different expressions painted on their faces. A few are wearing smiles while the others wear frowns. All of them are wearing cowboy hats, shoes that are too big, and red noses.

“They are funny, but want to know what I would have done? Instead of using toy cars, I’d use Hellhounds to chase them around. I feel like the screams would be more authentic.”

I don’t have a response to that. I blink at him, dumbfounded.

“Well, yeah, Lorcan. The clowns aren’t supposed to be afraid for their lives while they entertain us.”

He scoffs, gesturing towards the arena. “Then, it isn’t entertainment. You haven’t seen nothin’ until you see a Purgatory fighting ring. They have to fight to the death.”

“You scare me sometimes,” I mutter, chomping on more popcorn.

“Eh, you’ll get used to it.” He shrugs.

The speakers cut on, and static pours through. “Good evening and welcome to the?—”

The announcer’s voice fades to nothing when a tug in my stomach begins to turn and cramp, sending pain shooting through my chest. I hiss, doubling over as I hold onto my stomach. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“My god, he is as dusty as a granola bar, isn’t he? I think I’ll go up there to spark some life in these announcements.”

“What?” I wipe the sweat from my brow, hoping the pain passes soon. “No. I don’t care about him. I’m in agony. What is going on, Lorcan?”

“Take my hand.”

I do as he says, whimpering as another wave of pain cramps my abdomen.

His veins flow black, pumping his body full of pain that doesn’t belong to him.

“Lorcan. No! Stop! What are you doing?” I try to pull my hand away, but he grips harder, leaving a black outline where his fingers are clutching onto me. “Let go, Lorcan!”

The orange irises that glow burst into flames when the blackened veins reach his face. I take a sharp breath when I’m able to breathe again. The pain is faint now. It’s still there, tingling my stomach, but I can manage it.

“People are going to see you. You have to let go. Let go, Lorcan!”

He finally releases me, tilting his head down to hide. Black smoke billows from his nose and mouth, reminding me of an angry bull waiting to charge.

His tainted veins return to normal, and I’m met with a brilliant smile, even if he looks like he has been hit by a truck. He has sweat dripping down his face and dark circles under his eyes. I’m not sure how he is able to stay so positive.

“Whew. That kicked my ass. You and Kentucky are literally trying to kill me. Lit-er-ally,” he pronounces with a snap of his finger.

“What I did is only a temporary fix, Dru. I took your pain. For now.” He leans in so no one can hear him whispering, “The only solution is for him to complete the bond by biting you. You’re running out of time.

The pain you’re feeling? It’s parts of your body decomposing on the inside.

Eventually, it will overtake your heart. ”

“How do you know for sure? Maybe I’m cramping.”

He narrows his eyes at me and stands, shoving the half-eaten bucket of popcorn at me. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t just insult a reaper. Would I not know how death feels and smells? The audacity.”

“I’m sorry, Lorcan. You’re right. I just hoped you were wrong.”

“Sorry, Dru.” His finger lifts my chin. “Not in this case. I’m going to the announcer’s box. This guy is a snoozefest.”

“You’re going to leave me here? Don’t—” I grip his wrist and hand when he walks away. “Don’t leave me alone. I don’t know anybody! And you just told me I was dying. It’s rude to leave someone after dropping news like that.”

He lifts up one finger. “Okay, first off, this isn’t news. I warned you both about this little side effect.” He holds up a second finger. “Secondly, you know Kentucky. Come on, let me have fun, Mom. I’ll be right back. Please,” he begs, sticking out his lower lip in a pout.

I can’t argue with his logic, even if it scares me. Parts of me are dying on the inside. Kentucky isn’t going to go another day without those damn fangs in my throat. I don’t care if it means I have to bite him first.

“Fine. Go.” I release him, grabbing a giant scoop of popcorn and shoving it into my mouth. “I didn’t need you anyway,” I huff.

He vanishes in front of my eyes, and I analyze the crowd to see if any of them are watching. No one seems to be questioning how he was there one second and gone the next.

A loud, high-pitched frequency pierces the microphone. The entire crowd groans in protest. A few people begin to peer up at the announcer’s box to see what is going on.

All I see is Lorcan waving down at me with the microphone in his hand.

“Skew-dang!” he shouts into the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the county rodeo, where wild riders always make their way to our hearts. Awwwww. Say it with me now.”

I slip another piece of popcorn in my mouth, staring at people who are actually listening to him.

“Awwww,” they say in unison, and it’s followed by the entire crowd erupting in applause.

“Excellent. I know we are all excited to be here to see the best of the best in the county compete! Qualifying in these events will get you to the championship. While we would all love for these cowboys and cowgirls to see themselves in the championship round, that just isn’t on the table.

Competitors who are the fastest, have the best accuracy, and have the least amount of penalties, will move on to their dreams while the others will cry themselves to sleep. ”

“Oh my god.” I bury my face in my hands, hoping no one remembers I’m here with him.

Everyone laughs too. I know Kentucky is hearing this and wanting to kill Lorcan. This is feeding the Void’s ego so much.

“Up first, we have the steer wrestling for the big, strong men who need to prove themselves. Isn’t that cute?”

“It’s a good thing he can’t die or he’d already be dead,” I say to myself.

“Our first competitors are a championship duo, holding a record time in this event. I hope they don’t think they are untouchable because that’s when egos become dangerous.”

“Who are you? Why are you in this—” The second announcer’s voice vanishes from the mic.

I can only imagine what happened to him.

“Steer wrestling is a team event. One needs to keep the steer in a straight line while the other jumps on the steer by grabbing it by the horns and wrestling it to the ground. All four legs of the steer have to point in the same direction in order to stop the clock for an accurate time.” Lorcan whistles.

“You humans are off your rockers. I don’t even think Lucifer would do something this insane.

You really have no care for life, do you? ”

I pinch the bridge of my nose from Lorcan-induced stress. I truly think the only person who can handle him is his fated mate. Bless whoever she is. He will keep her on her toes. I hope she is preparing herself for constantly being surprised.

“The chute releases!” Lorcan shouts. “Followed by our team, Cal McCartey and Oklahoma Richards.”

I whip my head to the arena so I don’t miss anything. It’s my first rodeo, and I want to be able to enjoy it. The steer is fast with a tan body and white horns that curl upwards, the perfect handles for a cowboy.

“Skew-dang! This team is fast. It’s no wonder they are champions.

Cal manages the direction of the steer, doing his best to keep him in a straight line.

Oklahoma jumps from his saddle!” Lorcan announces with excitement.

“He brings down the steer! Their time is three point two seconds. Damn, that’s going to be a hard act to follow.

The record is two point two seconds, and I believe they will be able to break that as their competitive days go on. ”

A few more steer wrestlers compete, and none of them are able to get close to the time Cal and Oklahoma did.

“Next, we have my personal favorite event, barrel racing. My buddy is one of the competitors, and I just know he is going to smoke all your asses. You stand no chance. Let’s go, Kentucky!”

By the time this rodeo is done, Lorcan is going to make an enemy out of every single cowboy and cowgirl here.

I snicker to myself, loving how much fun I’m having, and most of that is due to Lorcan being himself. As I sit here waiting for the next event to start, my thoughts wander to Carmen and the dental office I work at. A stab of guilt hits me, ruining my appetite for my favorite snack.

Carmen has always been by my side. Through thick and thin, ups and downs, she’s been there.

She deserves to know where I am and would love the rodeo.

She’s the adventurous type, more than I ever was.

Maybe I can convince her to come visit or move out here.

I’d love that even if it would be selfish of me to ask.

I can’t fathom the idea of leaving Kentucky.

As for my job, I’ll get another one or create my own by opening my own dental practice, like Kentucky and I talked about.

The twist in my gut returns, and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. I narrow my eyes, sliding my attention over every corner of the arena. Someone is watching me. I don’t know where they are or who it is, but my instincts are screaming to run away.

I can’t. I couldn’t do that to Kentucky.

The loud crash of the chute opening startles me. The crowd roars as a cowgirl finishes the first barrel race. I clap slowly, staring across the arena at the other set of bleachers. I scan every face, trying to pinpoint who is out there.

Goosebumps arise on my skin. My tongue and throat become dry. A stampede replaces my heartbeat. Any faster, and it would gallop out of my chest.