Page 37

THIRTY-SIX

FIENDS

THE FEEL GOOD DRAG—ANBERLIN

KILLIAN

T he bitter drip of the coke trickles down the back of my throat in thick globs, making me cringe as I sniff harder and swallow it all down. The numbing is instant, and I instinctively rub my nose, feeling the high rush through my body, completely numbing my insides, just the way I like it.

All I can think about is Calista. Like a fiend, I can’t get the image of her out of my mind or the taste of her out of my mouth.

Staring into the streaky mirror, I turn the faucet on and cup my hands under the spout, catching the cold water that I splash on my face, trying to wake myself up. Trying to compose myself, I shake off the worry and adjust my suit, loosening my tie slightly, feeling like it’s fucking choking me.

I don’t want to be here. I want nothing to do with my father and his political career. But of course, I have to play the part of the obedient son to help him keep up with appearances.

My stomach swirls with nausea just thinking of how these events usually end, but I try to push it down as far as I can.

“Killian, it’s time to join the party, son,” my father announces through the locked door, his voice sending shivers down my spine.

With him up for reelection, his famous parties are becoming more frequent, which means that my presence is required... which also means that I have to be around my father more than I’d like.

When I open the door, my jaw drops slightly, seeing who's standing next to my father with two glasses of champagne.

“Ah, Killian, I thought that for a second you got lost in there,” he laughs, clapping his hand against my back, guiding me away from the bathroom.

‘No, just not feeling too well.” I tell him, not really lying, because being here with him does make me sick to my fucking stomach.

“I brought someone to help keep you company while you’re here,” he says with a twisted grin, flicking his eyes to the dolled-up girl standing beside him.

“Delilah, what the fuck are you doing here?” I snap at her, trying to comprehend what the fuck is going on.

“You two know each other?” A mixed look of confusion and shock wash over my father’s face, but it doesn’t last long.

“Yeah, and I’m good with her keeping me company,” I fire back, thinking of the talk I had with Calista about not fucking around with her or anyone else.

“I didn’t come here for you anyway, Jackass,” Delilah bites back with a sharp tone, guzzling down one of the flutes of champagne.

“Right,” I scoff, snatching the other one out of her hand, gulping it down in one sip.

“Killian, mind your manners, boy. Delilah’s father is a good friend of mine, and I could use his support, especially right now.” My father glares at me, and that’s when it hits me—Delilah’s father is a fucking pedophile too; that’s how they know each other.

The majority of the high-profile figures that are here are part of the same secret society that my father is mixed up in, along with Dom’s and Ash’s fathers too.

Fed up, I storm away, not giving a fuck about the repercussions of my actions. I need some air. So I bust out the front door and sit on the marble steps, lighting a cigarette.

The smoke curls in the chilly air as I take a long drag, the nicotine mixing with the last remnants of the coke still lingering in my system. It’s a sickening cocktail, but at least it provides a sense of calm that I desperately need. The party rages on behind me, laughter and music spilling through the open door like a toxic haze.

“Yo, Kill,” a familiar voice calls from the shadows of the front lawn.

My heart flips as I turn, half-hoping it’s Calista, but the sight of Dom sends a mix of relief and frustration through me.

“What do you want, Dom?” I snap, already knowing he’s likely come to check on me to make sure I’m okay. It’s sweet, but annoying.

“We need to talk,” he says, his tone serious.

He steps closer, pulling the collar of his jacket tight against the night’s chill. “It’s not safe for you to be here alone.”

“Safe? Here? You’re joking, right?” I puff out a cloud of smoke, the bitter taste staining my mouth.

“Can you sneak away and come home?” he asks, scanning the ground as if expecting someone to jump out at us. “I can’t find Calista, and I’m pretty sure your father knows that we’ve been talking with her,” he whispers in a panic, running his hands through his hair.

“I wouldn’t worry too much,” I tell him. “Knowing her, she’s out stalking her next target.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of. I feel like one of our fathers knows she’s been living with us somehow, and this shit is all a fucking trap.”

I grimace, the weight of his words pressing down on me harder than any substance ever could. “How exactly?”

Dom glances back at the house, then leans in closer, his voice low. “I’m not sure, but something my father said didn’t sit right with me.”

I look at him, waiting for him to explain. Taking my silence as an understanding, he continues.

“I guess leaders from the society want to keep you close, Kill—actually the three of us close. And you know how that goes. If we step out of line?—”

“What, they’ll hurt us? You think I give a shit? I don’t think they can hurt me anymore than they already have.” I feel my anger boiling over again, my already frayed patience wearing dangerously thin.

“Fucking think, Killian! This shit isn’t just about you! They’ll use you as leverage against us and everyone else connected—anything to get to Cali.” His words cut deep, and for a moment, I picture her face, the way she looks when she’s worried, those deep, soulful eyes filled with uncertainty. It makes my stomach turn.

“Fuck,” I mumble, snuffing out the cigarette against the marble. “I don’t understand why everyone is so hell bent on finding her.”

Dom leans back, a glimmer of satisfaction shining through his brows. “Yeah, you do, Kill. Think about it for a second; most of them had a part in what happened to her—what her parents did. They were at those parties, just like our fathers were. Now that people are turning up dead all over the fucking city, they’re afraid that it’ll be there turn next. They know it’s Cali killing them off, and now they’re trying to get to her before she gets to them.”

I sigh, conflicted, now thinking that Delilah’s presence isn’t a coincidence at all. Knowing my father, if Dom is right about him knowing Cali has been in touch with us, he’s trying to use Delilah against me—hoping I’ll tell her something that will lead them right to Cali.

“Fucking hell,” I mutter as the pieces click in my head.

“What is it?” Dom asks, quirking a brow as he looks at me.

“Delilah is here, and I think my father is trying to use her to get information out of me.”

The door behind me creaks open, and as the light from inside shines out onto the front lawn, Dom jumps back in the bushes to hide. I turn around and see Delilah walking out, two more glasses of champagne clutched in her hands.

“Look,” she says, sitting beside me on the step. “I’m sorry for what happened back there. I didn’t come here to piss you off. I didn’t even know you’d be here,” she says softly, smiling and putting on a show that I don’t buy for a fucking second.

“Whatever, D. I don’t need an apology from you. I don’t need shit from you. What I said the other day still stands—we’re fucking done.” I stand up and back away from her, peeping the evil look hiding behind her green eyes.

“This is about that girl, isn’t it?” She asks, her tone dripping heavily with jealousy.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I shrug, lying, of course, trying to gauge her reaction.

“Bullshit. You told me she came back to find you.”

“No, I never said such a thing.” I spit a glob of saliva onto the damp grass, shoving my hands in my pockets to keep from hitting her. “You can tell my father that whatever game he’s playing isn’t going to fucking work.” I spin on my heel and saunter off down the long brick driveway, anxiety gripping my chest.

It’s not until I’m halfway down the street that I hear heavy, rushed footsteps from behind me, and seconds later Dom appears next to me, gasping to try and catch his breath.

“Yeah, fuck that cunt,” he seethes. “She’s the one who told your father Cali was back. I fucking knew this shit was a trap.”

“Yeah, well, now we have to find Calista and let her know that we’re all being watched. We need to get her somewhere safe.” I hang my head, feeling the stress of everything piling on top of my shoulders.

And as we continue walking back to our place, I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched again. But is it Cali this time? Or is it someone entirely different that we have no idea about?

I don’t bother turning around to find out. I just walk, thinning of all the shit that’s about to go down and the hell to follow with my father. And yet, even with everything crumbling around me, I still can’t get Cali off my mind, hoping she’s okay wherever she may be.