Page 178 of Serpent In White

I’ll need to decide. Either I’m staying, or I’m facing whatever consequences come with choosing to leave, which is a terrifying thought now that I’ve seen what normally happens to trespassers on this land.

The thing is, though, it doesn’t really feel like a decision.

It feels like it’s already been decided.

Either way, Darian had one of the patrolmen drive me back. He told me to go get something to eat, get cleaned up and grab Abdiel, then bring him to the clearing.

We have work to do, he said in his mind.

He sounded determined. I’m nervous as much as I am anxious.

I just got done showering and dressing in something acceptable for frolicking in the forest… a light, flowy sweater dress and some boots I borrowed from Gem. It’s the middle of the night by the time I’m going to find Abdiel. I have a backpack ready, filled with items I found in his trailer. Flashlights, batteries, granola bars and water, a blanket, matches.

I hope I got everything… Darian didn’t exactly tell me what we’ll be doing up there, but I know it will be fucked up, because… ya know. That clearing gives me the creeps.

Yet with the three of them, I feel safe. It’s a crazy notion, one that has me greatly questioning my sanity. Feeling safe with three strangers, at least one of whom is a murderous sociopath, and another, his brother/lover, who locked me in a jail cell not twenty-four hours ago.

But after everything I’ve endured over the past two years, I want this crazy. I’m welcoming it. Maybe that’s what facing real evil does to you… It gives you the ability to seek out the light, even when it’s buried within the shades of your comfort.

Drake isn’t evil. I know he’s not. The things he’s doing, he thinks he has to. For Darian, and Abdiel and their family. But it doesn’t need to be that way.

He’s not a monster. We’ve known real monsters, and he couldn’t be more different from them.

Walking up to the Den, I see the patrolmen, recognizing two of them as the guys who put a bag over my head and drove me up to the jail. I gulp down my nerves, expecting them to stop me from going inside.

But to my surprise, they don’t. They simply stare me down, all eyes, the rest of their faces covered by bandanas. They don’t look like they’d want to engage in friendly chitchat with me anytime soon, but at least they’re not stopping me.Darian must have radioed to them…

It’s wild, being in a place without cell phones. They use walkie talkies to communicate with each other, but outside of that, you’re stuck searching for people. Like right now.

If we were Outside, I would just text Abdiel and tell him to get his ass down here. But I can’t do that. I’m left wandering through Darian’s house in search of him. First, I try the room we converged in those two times. But it’s empty.

Walking through these dimly lit halls at night, there’s a log cabin ambiance I really like. Sure, it’s summer, so there’s no fire burning or snow outside the windows, but I can only imagine how beautiful it is in winter.

I’d like to stick around to see it…

Creeping up the stairs, I pass a few bedrooms, all doors closed. I have no clue which one is Darian’s, but I have to assume it’s the one on the end. When I reach it, I decide against knocking, since I don’t want to wake anyone else. It would be difficult explaining to the wives what I’m doing…

I turn the doorknob, and it’s unlocked. Opening the door a crack, I peek inside to find Abdiel, sitting in a large, beautifully upholstered chair by the window. He’s dressed only in sweatpants, his features highlighted by the glow of the moon as it reaches inside to adorn him. His worry is prominent, around his eyes, the creases in his forehead.

I step into the room, and he turns fast, clearly anticipating Darian’s return. There’s no disappointment on his face when he realizes it’s me. Just surprise.

“We have to go,” I tell him softly. His brows zip together. “Darian called a meeting… On the mountain.”

His eyelashes flutter when he’s shocked and confused. It’s adorable. “What…? What kind of meeting? And how are you out?”

“He let me out,” I answer with a calm smile as I walk to him. He stands. “You were right. He’s a great man. Pretty much the best.”

His confusion morphs quickly into elation, eyes brightening with the grin on his full lips. “Pretty much?”

“You guys are all equally awesome.” I take his hands in mine. “Which I think is what the meeting is about. Drake is up at the clearing. Darian wants us all to go. We can take an ATV to get there faster.”

His brow arches. “You know how to drive one?”

I can’t help the scoff that bursts from my lips. “Yea, right. That’s funny.”

He laughs and shakes his head. I go to turn so we can leave, but before I make it, he grasps my face. His lips are on mine quick, a shock so thorough it turns all my limbs into jelly. I whimper into his mouth as he kisses me, just as soft and eager as I remember.

Abdiel has this elegant way of kissing that’s unlike anything I’ve felt before. Our lips dance a tango, sensual and seductive in its steps.