Page 86 of Disharmony

“The truth,” Venom answers unwaveringly, not backing down. The two of them stand neck and neck. Ripper is taller, but there’s something resolute about Venom’s stance that makes me think he wouldn’t fold easily. “You’re going to hurt her, Ripper. It’s what you do.”

I’m rooted to the spot.

“Don’t say things you don’t mean,” Zed steps in. “We can’t let a girl come between us. This is why I said it was a bad idea inviting her.”

“I can leave.” I suggest lamely.

I have no idea where I’d go in this town, but Zed’s right. I can’t cause a rift between them.

“No!” The three of them cry in unison.

Ripper snarls at Venom, “You’re jealous.”

Jealous over me? My knees are weak, and it’s not because of the beer. Venom dives forward and swings a right hook, narrowly missing Ripper’s face. The two of them hit the floor with a thud, aiming punches at each other. Venom’s crown cracks, and his wig almost falls off the top of his head.

Zed tries to haul Ripper off him. “Cut it out!”

They don’t pay him any attention.

“Stop!” I shout. They all stop what they’re doing. “I don’t understand what the hell is going on, but I don’t want you guys to fight. Maybe Zed’s right, I shouldn’t have come. I came here because I wanted to get to know the band behind the music I love. I don’t want… this.”

Venom stands, straightening his wig.

“You came here for all of us?” Ripper asks. He sounds disappointed.

“I’ve admired you guys for years,” I continue, ignoring him. “Zed has the voice of a fucking angel, Venom’s lyrics are better than poetry, and Ripper? You have the passion, fire, and killer drum skills that are the glue holding the Basilisks together.”

“You think I have the voice of an angel, huh?” Zed asks smugly.

I scowl at him. “But I’ve also learned today you can be a real ass.”

Venom chuckles.

Ripper’s shoulders slouch and he mumbles, “I thought you only came to see me…”

“I did come to see you,” I say, going over to him. The alcohol has loosened my tongue, and I’m able to be more honest. “Singing with you all has been the best night of my life… and not just because of the music. I never expected anything more…”

“So, you didn’t come along just to screw Ripper and tick a Basilisk badge off your bedpost?” Zed ask incredulously.

My mouth almost hits the floor.

“No!” I splutter. “I came to learn from you and share what I’m working on. I… I never expected—”

“Never expected, what?” Venom interrupts.

“This!” I gesture around like it’s pretty fucking obvious. Does he really need me to spell it out after rolling around on the floor with his bandmate in a chokehold? “I never expected for something to happen beyond the music.”

“You should have thought about that before you opened your mouth and sang with us,” Zed snaps, turning everything around and making it seem like it’s my fault. It’s not like I asked to sing with them—Ripper called me on stage. I’m about to tell him as much, when he asks, “How did it feel when you sang with us?”

I’m not sure what this has to do with anything, but I answer anyway.

How can you describe something indescribable?

“It felt,” I throw my head back and sigh, “like magic.”

“Like everything fell into place?” Venom prompts.

“Like your heart cracked open and fucking exploded?” Ripper adds.

---