Page 13 of The Devil's Redemption

I cry for being weak as I lay still and wait for the warmth. The warmth leads to pleasure, and that’s what I crave most of all. I hear his voice, but I can’t make out what he’s saying. It’s followed by a taunting laugh just before the pain begins again. As long as I can endure it, I will be rewarded.

To appease my suffering, I think ofhim.

His stiff scowl and strong hands.

His square shoulders and severe stare.

His face is the last thing I see as my despair begins to melt away.

This is it.

Warmth.

I let it surround me in a cocoon, holding me tight until I can emerge as a beautiful butterfly. Weaving through the calming rays of the sun.

Sunshine.

You are my sunshine.

Pleasure.

I flutter from flower to flower, each one smelling better than the next, as the sweet taste of nectar coats my tongue. Flying higher, I’m distracted by a field full of vivid purple Aster and wild blue Delphinium.

Darkness.

I land on a soft petal just as a cold, obsidian rain pours down from the heavens, blanketing the earth in a moonless night.

The last thing I see is his cool, steel gaze.

The only light in the endless dark.

Blade.

Chapter Six

Country nights are always very dark.

The absence of light pollution allows you to see the vast, inky sky stretched over the earth.Tonight feels much darker than usual, here on this battlefield.Ominous. Threatening. Full of promise that something bad is coming.The deadliest battle in the Civil War was fought here. Thousands of soldiers died, and the battlefield flooded as a river of blood ran through it.

Blood will be spilled tonight, too. Of that I’m certain. I will kill, without question, any member of Death’s Road who stands in my way of rescuing Sasha. I don’t care what happens to me as long as she’s safe.

We got to Devil’s Den about ten minutes ago. All six Skull charters, the Gettysburg Bastards, as well as the small group of soldiers who came with the Boy Scout, are here. Altogether, we’ve got about fifty fighters. I’m not sure how many people Death’s Road has in their clubhouse, but I hope we have more than they do.

We piled into my truck and SoCo’s Camaro then drove up here together. We didn’t want to ride our bikes out of fear that the noise would travel too far and alert Death’s Road.

I haven’t been able to relax or even sit still since the end of church earlier. I ached to go to her. To seek her out, no matter the cost to my own life. The only thing that stopped me was knowing that if they killed me, she may never be saved.

The presidents of each charter are huddled together in front of the large boulders that are settled here. Our headlights shine on them for all to see. The longer they take to discuss the final plan, the more agitated I get.

Just before I lose it and start the long hike on my own, they finally break and face the group.The Judge calls one of his men over to stand with him.

“This here is Crew, our tail-runner.”

The guy standing next to The Judge has to be at least 6’6”, 6’7”. Head completely shaved, looking like a Steve Austin wannabe.

“He’s been undercover in Death’s Road for the past couple of months. We’ve been trying to figure out the best way to take them down.”

What. The. Fuck?

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