Kneel

Case 62

A/N: For more story-related art that doesn't show up in my books, I do post them on my Tumblr linked in my bio. For this book specifically, there's currently one other drawing and concept art when planning Misha's design!

  Hearing the drums play, I licked my lips while stepping up on the bar. Maze whistled from where she sat, and I shot her a look. Eve was excitedly giggling next to her and waved at me.

  Sighing through my nose, I shook my head. I knew now I shouldn't have made the bet, but it was too late now. I didn't even think Maze remembered the night we did karaoke well enough to make me do this.

  However, we were having a good time, Maze and Eve were working on their wedding, and I felt like I needed to let loose a little. Lifting the microphone in my hand, I saw the crowd in Lux. I usually wouldn't even dare do this on my own, but a bet was a bet, and I needed to stop worrying about everything so much.

  Well, I guess I wasn't technically alone. The dancers on the platform over the bar were there, too. I also suspected that Maze had set this up, and I had fallen right into her trap.

  "~Tell me now!~" The microphone had my voice louder than the music coming from the speakers.

  "~Tell me now!~" The voices from Lux's dancers chimed in. Yeah, no doubt Maze had planned this now.

  "~And show me how!~"

  "~Show me how!~"

  "~To understand!~"

  "~Understand!~"

  "~What makes a good man? Tell me now!~"

  "~Tell me now!~"

  "~And walk the line!~"

  "~Walk the line!~"

  "~And understand!~"

  "~Understand!~"

  "~What makes a good man?~" I felt myself relaxing as I lowered the mic and slid my jacket off. It was hotter up here than I had thought, so I tossed the garment to the side, and it landed on Maze's face. "~Ain't nothin' wrong with this chemistry~"

  I heard Eve cheer to encourage me, so I eased up some more and began to walk to the music on the bar counter.

  "~Ain't nothin' wrong with this place for me, and time will tell the test of pedigree. Experience is another one meant for me. So tell me now!~"

  "~Tell me now!~"

  "~And show me how!~"

  "~Show me how!~"

  "~To understand!~"

  "~Understand!~"

  "~What makes a good man? Can you tell me now?~"

  "~Tell me now!~"

  "~And walk the line!~"

  "~Walk the line!~"

  "~And understand!~"

  "~Understand!~"

  "~What makes a good man?~"

  "~Good man! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!~"

  "~Now I ain't tired of sweatin' for blood and dirt. I ain't tired of sweatin' for....what it's worth.~" I was surprised no one was booing me, but the positive feedback from the crowd actually brought a smile to my face. "~'Cause lines get drawn and lines get kicked and blurred. Indelible, is what I need to spread the word. And tell me now!~"