Page 7 of The White Rider
“Same goes for the confederate flag. Most of those assholes aren’t even southern. Aeron and Leif said many people tried to flee their state when the Rage Mutation broke out. They didn’t get far. Traffic was grid locked, and gas quickly ran out. They either had to find shelter, or they got eaten. Some people have started clearing the roads, and that’s how those Nazis made it to Mexico. No one really uses vehicles anymore.”
“Someone used a woman as bait and tried to steal Aeron’s horse on the way to Mexico.”
“If Aeron didn’t kill them, Meremoth would. It’s not the first time someone has tried to steal our horses. It never ends well for them.”
I wasn’t scared of the horses anymore and could call them my friends, but they were still terrifying to look at. They were huge, muscular, and their eyes glinted red in a particular light.
“Even if I didn’t know they were angel horses, you couldn’t pay me to steal them! I’ve made friends with them now, but I’ve been on Meremoth’s back when he gets all murdery. It’s not the most enjoyable thing I’ve ever done. Aeron seemed to think so, but he can be fucked in the head sometimes.”
And I was fucked in the head, too, because I loved that about him. I’d get on his horse with him and ride back into battle, knowing full well he’d unleash Meremoth again. And it gave me an idea.
“Your horses are smart. Meremoth winked at me sometimes. Don’t lie to me. I swear, he did. If we can get to the bullet factory, could the horses help round up the Bubbas?”
“They could… but we are still going to have to bring people in. Four angels and four horses aren’t going to be enough.”
“And me. I’m not leaving, Asher.”
“Nope. My brothers might be on your side about being there when we kill your father, but no one is sending you out there with the Bubbas. These people are violent and insane. They worship your father like he’s God. This is not a president with supporters. It’s a full-blown cult. They are going to think they’ve been called to fight in a Holy War to take out his killers.”
“Fess up, angel boy. Did Heaven sanction any of the Holy Wars?”
“You have a lot of questions.”
And here I thought we were doing so well. We had an entire conversation with minimal dickage from him. Could he just not help it? I just shrugged.
“We’re stuck here. You can ignore me, or you can answer my questions.”
“I suppose it’s only natural you’re so curious, and it’s nice not to have to hide who I am with people who are not my brothers. Your father was a businessman, then president. Why does it shock you that some previous Antichrists inserted themselves into churches, or even became pope? Satan wants out of Hell. It’s a miserable place. We have played this game for a long time. It’s always a different Antichrist, but sometimes, the roles are the same. This is not the first time one of them has inserted themselves as ruler of a country.”
“Silly Satan. Tricks are for kids.”
Asher was looking at me like I’d suddenly sprouted a second head. Yeah, it took a while to get used to me. I finally got a whiff of myself. Expired deodorant was good, but I still needed showers.
“You’re a very strange girl, Nephilim.”
“How does one shower in here? I feel all potent.”
“I have a place, but we can’t go until my brothers get back.”
“Why not? I’m sure you have this place booby-trapped. Angels stink too. I was on the road with Aeron.”
Asher stomped over to me. His chest was practically pressed to mine as he glared down at me.
“No.”
“Oh, are you scared to be in the vicinity of a naked woman?”
“I am not!”
“You left this place alone when it was just you here. I’m guessing you have a place to shower because I can’t smell you like I did Aeron on the road.”
“I do, but that doesn’t mean I’m taking you.”
“Because you don’t want to be in the same room with me when I’m naked.”
Asher let out this little growl and grabbed me. He was bringing me somewhere; I just didn’t know where.
Chapter 5
