Page 232 of Bliss & Her Idols

This is what we need to show the world: the talent of the Idols but also, the dark truth of this estate.

Instantly, the screen lights up with images that Cricket has spent the day selecting from the estate’s cameras.

The twins in particular like to film their punishments, but Philomena also keeps neat records.

We now hold the evidence in our hands. We’re showing it on the screen for everyone to see.

Cricket gained the permission of the college aged and older Idols amongst the singers, who were eager to get out the message of what was happening, then found images of them to show on the screen.

The shock value to viewers of hearing the angelic voices and then witnessing the cruelties going on behind them, will hit hard even for a Traditional.

I hear alarmed rustling at the front of the hall.

Philomena is watching in seething fury.

The other members of Torin’s family appear in shock.

A seat rattles, as Aran stands up like he’s going to run. Stapleton grabs him by the shoulder and shoves him back down.

As the song rises to a crescendo of soaring notes, the screen shifts to show alternating shots of Jin and Immortal.

Immortal in the darkness of solitary…

Zoe beating Jin…

The twins forcing high school aged Jin and Immortal to repeat moves until they faint…

Images of mistreatment, while Jin and Immortal walk to the front of the stage together, singing with an otherworldly beauty.

Torin plays the last notes on the guitar, as the screen finally fades to the well-known dragon logo and then the flashing words:SET US FREE.

The final notes echo around the hall.

Then silence.

Jin and Immortal are breathing hard. Torin drags off his guitar, before dropping it to the floor. Then he throws an arm around each of his friends.

Cricket stands up.

I snatch his elbow, pulling him after me. We launch ourselves onto the group and hug them as well.

I nuzzle Jin. “You were amazing. You all were.”

“Another superfan won over to the Immortal charm.” Immortal shakes his hair out of his eyes. “It was always going to be a matter of time.”

Torin’s lips twitch. “I hope that your brother knows what he’s in for.”

I hope that Immortal knows what he’s in for with my brother.

“Well done,” Jin calls over to the young Idols, “I’m proud of you.”

The kids and teenagers glow, bouncing with excitement.

Mena slow claps, before standing. “Do you feel better now that’s out of your system? What a load of immature, whiny bullshit. Was that meant to make me feel sorry for you? Have a road to Damascus moment? You’re Betas in my pack. I can discipline you any way I fucking want. And every single Beta on that stage is going to discover that now the hard way.”

I’m proud that even the youngest of the Idols doesn’t whimper or cringe back at her threat.

Philomena is a wolf who has lost her fangs but is too dumb to have realized it yet.

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