Page 27 of Serpent In White

The gunshots.

The Alchemist runs the Tribe, and well, it's been said that they're trained to kill. Kill who, I'm not entirely sure. But the Expanse is a very private place. We haven't had intruders set foot within our territory a single time since I've been alive, and I'm glad for that fact. It makes me feel safe.

Still, I don’t know what has to happen to keep it this way. I suppose the only person who does is Drake. The man I just watched inject something into our Head Priest and then fuck him so hard he was practically weeping.

It looked as if Darian had seen the face of God.

Who knows... maybe he did.

By the following afternoon, I've jerked off five more times, and as spent as my body is, I'm still desperate for more.

More information, more answers, more... ofthem.

I'm off today, which is good because I'm not sure I'd be able to walk around Head Priest, serving him food and drinks, all the while remembering what his face looks like while he’s taking his brother's dick.

A shiver of elation runs through me.

I know it was wrong to spy on them. I'm not supposed to be doing any of the things I've been doing for the past week, but that doesn't stop me from wanting it. From acting on these fervent yearnings.

Maybe I'm a bad person.

Maybe I need to pray more.

Maybe I need to get laid.

It's like Jordan always says, I'm too wound up. Sex is obviously a great tool for relief, I saw it on Drake and Darian when they were done. Though it did look like Drake left in a bit of a hurry, and Darian didn't appear pleased by it.

I can't help wondering what's going on with them. I wonder if they're in love, or if Head Priest is going to leave his wives for his brother. I don't know how people in The Principality would feel about that...

Sure, everyone is accepting of love in all shapes and forms, but the Regnum has been clamoring for years about Darian impregnating one of his wives. They believe it's important for an heir to be born, just in case something happens to him.

I'm sick of hearing about it personally, so I can only imagine how Darian feels. I just don't think it's necessary for him to have a child if he doesn't want one, but I don't dare voice that opinion. A majority of the Regnum is onteam baby, and they're relentless.

After what I witnessed last night, I finally understand why he's been avoiding it so hard. I feel for Darian now, more than ever. I wish he would just tell everyone the truth. I'm sure the secrets are weighing on him, and it can't feel good.

Deciding on taking a walk to clear my head, I step into my boots and leave the trailer. It's overcast today, though warm enough not to need a jacket. It's springtime on the Expanse, and everyone is bustling, preparing for a fruitful summer and a bountiful harvest.

Summer is the best time here. The weather is perfect, it rains a lot less than the rest of the year, and everyone is generally in high spirits. Mother blesses us all year round, but it's this season during which love is in abundance, in all forms.

Trudging along, I wave to a few people here and there. Most are working on chores, laundry being hung on clotheslines, flowers being tended to in the gardens. The children are having class outside today, and from what I can tell, they're learning about trees.

I remember those lessons. We're taught about nature right from the start, because the earth is everything. I recall reading for hours about different flowers, where they thrive and what they could be used for if needed. The ecosystems class was always interesting, but I preferred learning which plants you can eat. How to make certain ingredients and whatnot.

Now that I'm thinking about my future, after Paul and Gina started mentioning it a couple of months back, I'm thinking more about what I love to do. I enjoy singing and cooking. And as much as it isn't really acareer, I do love to serve people. I think I just like to give, and to make people happy, though I'm not exactly sure if there's work in that...

My walk takes me through the trails, past housing and toward the mountain. I see the farmland coming up and I have to marvel at what we've built here. Fields and fields of crops, either being planted now, or already growing. The corn fields, which we turn into a maze for the kids after harvest, the berries and fruit, potatoes and grain. The barley, hops, and grapes for beer and wine.

It's not what I want to do with my life, but I admire the farmers. They keep this whole place going. Without them, we'd have nothing.

Once I've past the crops, I can see the base of the mountain up in the distance, which means I'm getting closer to the Field of Influence. I immediately spot two members of the Tribe, posted up for watch.

Lorn and Xander. They're dressed in combat boots, camo pants and jackets, with bandanas covering most of their faces. They're each straddling an ATV, with machine guns strapped over their shoulders.

As I saunter over to them, their conversation comes to a halt and they look up, on alert until they notice it's me.

“Hey, Harmony.” Lorn tugs his mask down around his neck. "How's it goin, brother?"

"Hey, guys." I wander over, checking out their setup.