Page 77 of Kentucky Nights
He scoffs, gesturing towards the arena. “Then, it isn’t entertainment. You haven’t seen nothin’ until you see a Purgatory fighting ring. They have to fight to the death.”
“You scare me sometimes,” I mutter, chomping on more popcorn.
“Eh, you’ll get used to it.” He shrugs.
The speakers cut on, and static pours through. “Good evening and welcome to the?—”
The announcer’s voice fades to nothing when a tug in my stomach begins to turn and cramp, sending pain shooting through my chest. I hiss, doubling over as I hold onto my stomach. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“My god, he is as dusty as a granola bar, isn’t he? I think I’ll go up there to spark some life in these announcements.”
“What?” I wipe the sweat from my brow, hoping the pain passes soon. “No. I don’t care about him. I’m in agony. What is going on, Lorcan?”
“Take my hand.”
I do as he says, whimpering as another wave of pain cramps my abdomen.
His veins flow black, pumping his body full of pain that doesn’t belong to him.
“Lorcan. No! Stop! What are you doing?” I try to pull my hand away, but he grips harder, leaving a black outline where his fingers are clutching onto me. “Let go, Lorcan!”
The orange irises that glow burst into flames when the blackened veins reach his face. I take a sharp breath when I’m able to breathe again. The pain is faint now. It’s still there, tingling my stomach, but I can manage it.
“People are going to see you. You have to let go. Let go, Lorcan!”
He finally releases me, tilting his head down to hide. Black smoke billows from his nose and mouth, reminding me of an angry bull waiting to charge.
His tainted veins return to normal, and I’m met with a brilliant smile, even if he looks like he has been hit by a truck. He has sweat dripping down his face and dark circles under his eyes. I’m not sure how he is able to stay so positive.
“Whew. That kicked my ass. You and Kentucky are literally trying to kill me. Lit-er-ally,” he pronounces with a snap of his finger. “What I did is only a temporary fix, Dru. I took your pain. For now.” He leans in so no one can hear him whispering, “The only solution is for him to complete the bond by biting you. You’re running out of time. The pain you’re feeling? It’s parts of your body decomposing on the inside. Eventually, it will overtake your heart.”
“How do you know for sure? Maybe I’m cramping.”
He narrows his eyes at me and stands, shoving the half-eaten bucket of popcorn at me. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t justinsult a reaper. Would I not know how death feels and smells? The audacity.”
“I’m sorry, Lorcan. You’re right. I just hoped you were wrong.”
“Sorry, Dru.” His finger lifts my chin. “Not in this case. I’m going to the announcer’s box. This guy is a snoozefest.”
“You’re going to leave me here? Don’t—” I grip his wrist and hand when he walks away. “Don’t leave me alone. I don’t know anybody! And you just told me I was dying. It’s rude to leave someone after dropping news like that.”
He lifts up one finger. “Okay, first off, this isn’t news. I warned you both about this little side effect.” He holds up a second finger. “Secondly, you know Kentucky. Come on, let me have fun, Mom. I’ll be right back. Please,” he begs, sticking out his lower lip in a pout.
I can’t argue with his logic, even if it scares me. Parts of me are dying on the inside. Kentucky isn’t going to go another day without those damn fangs in my throat. I don’t care if it means I have to bite him first.
“Fine. Go.” I release him, grabbing a giant scoop of popcorn and shoving it into my mouth. “I didn’t need you anyway,” I huff.
He vanishes in front of my eyes, and I analyze the crowd to see if any of them are watching. No one seems to be questioning how he was there one second and gone the next.
A loud, high-pitched frequency pierces the microphone. The entire crowd groans in protest. A few people begin to peer up at the announcer’s box to see what is going on.
All I see is Lorcan waving down at me with the microphone in his hand.
“Skew-dang!” he shouts into the mic. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the county rodeo, where wild riders always make their way to our hearts. Awwwww. Say it with me now.”
I slip another piece of popcorn in my mouth, staring at people who are actually listening to him.
“Awwww,” they say in unison, and it’s followed by the entire crowd erupting in applause.
