Page 7 of Signed in Blood

“Hell yeah,” Sabrina responds and I nod along too. Tonight is like the luckiest night of my whole damn life.

I can barely breathe and for a moment I second guess if this is even real.

For the next few minutes, they order our drinks and then make their way back on stage. Making sure that we’re right in the front, we watch their every move. The concert lasts well into two in the morning. By the time it’s over, we’re slightly drunk and having the best time.

“You girls having fun?” Murphy remarks, getting me another drink. He’s the most clean-cut of the three, with buzzed hair and a simple black button-down, in contrast to the white collar but black shirt the guitarist wears. If I saw Murphy on the street, I’d guess he worked a corporate job. Whereas Jake has more rings on than I’ve ever seen anyone wear and an air about him that is obviously artistic. The guitarist, Warren’s energy is somewhat in the middle of the two.

“Of course.” I smile, grabbing it out of his hand.

“How about we keep the good times going,” Jake declares.

“What do you have in mind?” Sabrina questions, smirking.

“You, me, the backwoods where we’re camping out with our van,” he suggests.

The way he implies it doesn’t sound like he’s trying to hook up with her, more like he wants to keep hanging out.

She nods her head, lost in his trance, and I witness my best friend falling for a guy for the first time. It’s definitely a different sight to see and for a second, I’m happy for her. I want her to find love and be loved. I truly want her to know that feeling. Even if only for a moment.

“Great.” The lead singer smiles. “And how about you?” He’s looking at me in a way that feels intrusive, almost like he can read my thoughts or feel my sudden anxiety.

“What about me?” I ask, playing dumb.

“You want to come too?”

I nod. “I’m not leaving her, so of course.”

His smile doesn’t reach his eyes, and I feel a quick shiver course down my spine. It only lasts for a second before he reaches for my hand, then Sabrina’s. I take it, instantly shocked with this electricity. Sabrina feels it, too.

Within minutes, he’s leading the way out of the bar with us in his hands.

Little do we know, it really was a demon leading us out.

Chapter Four

Lucifer

* * *

She has no idea what’s about to happen to her or how I’ve been stalking her all night. It’s a sick feeling that I haven’t felt…in centuries.

I’ve come to terms with not being able to intervene. I’ve lived a thousand lives unable to control the torment. Unable to stop it. Only contribute to it.

Tonight though…it feels like the first time all over again. The agony disgusts me. All for her? For this innocent soul. What is it about her?

She never feels my eyes on her; not once did she look behind her. If she did, this wouldn’t have happened. I’d have been able to stop it without interfering. The music is like poison to them and they can’t get enough. The lyrics hold spells that no one hears.

I watched them drug their drinks.

For the first time, I want to stop it all, but I can’t.

It doesn’t work that way, fucking free will…

They’re both gorgeous and truly naive. Most women their ages are. Throw in a band and alcohol, and they lose all sense of reason, if they have any to begin with. At the last second, destiny runs its course.

“Shit!” Sabrina exclaims. “I have to pee!”

It’s her friend who leaves first and I hate it. I hate everything. The rage is all-consuming and yet, I can’t take it out on the one person I wish I could. Lilith tries to go back into the bar with her friend, but Sabrina stops her. “No, you go with them, I’ll meet you there, don’t lose them!” She glances at the drummer with her tongue just barely gracing her bottom lip. “Where is the bathroom?” she calls out so he can hear her; all the while, Lilith stands beside her looking torn.