Twisted

Chapter 21

*Hell Nov. 20, 1934*

My feet are kicked up on the plush footrest while I lean back on the soft couch, a cold drink cradled carefully in my hand while my other hand twists my hair into knots. I glance across the room where a group of demons are huggled under a glowing sign reading: Broken Puppets.

It's a little snippet of a new project I've been working on to distract myself from the ever-growing guilt gnawing at my gut. I plan on opening the new club in about a month. The main attraction? The two broken angels chained to the wall under the sign. Demons all over hell have stopped by Siren's Song to get a glimpse of these puppets I have put on show. And they have fished in a lot of dough.

I sip my drink only to realize it's empty. I mutter a string of curses before waving to Harley and Husk behind the counter. Harley looks up and nods before fixing me another drink. She hands it to Husker while she deals with a petty demon trying to flirt with her. I toss my empty glass causing it to shatter on the floor a few feet from the angels.

"Clean it." I demand and the angels get right to work picking up the shards of glass. Their movements don't falter as the glass cuts into their palms. Blood decorates the ground now too but the angels pay no mind. It's just another thing they'll have to clean later.

I turn my attention to Husk as he hands me my drink. I nod thanks as he turns to return to the bar. I take a full swig and moan in delight at the feeling of the burning liquid traveling down my throat.

"How many drinks have you had?" Dan asks. He sits farther down on the couch, his own drink sitting on a nearby table.

I turn to him with a drunken smile coating my lips and shrug, "I don't know. Fifteen maybe? Twenty? I lost track after ten." I take another drink of my alcohol.

Dan scooches closer and takes a look at my cheek. He reaches a hand out to touch a bright red scratch. I slap his hand away and shoot him a glare. "Who did that?" He asks. I shrug again. "Y/–"

I quickly whip toward him and place two fingers against his lips. "Shh... ah ah ah. That is a dead woman. I am Siren now. We do not speak of her." Dan gives me an unimpressed look as I retract my hand and down the rest of my drink. I stand up from the couch, wobbling just slightly, and toss my glass toward the angels again. Without having to tell them, they begin picking up the pieces.

I notice a demon reaching across the barrier to touch one of my angels. I glare and whistle sharply. A blade comes out of nowhere and slices the demon's hand clean off. He jumps back howling in pain. "Paws off what doesn't belong to you." I hiss before making my way to the bar.

I tap my finger against the bartop and Harley quickly makes me another drink. She slides it down to me and I quickly take a drink. I sit on a stool across from Husk. "Entertain me, my dear, Husker." I command with a wave of my hand.

"Entertain you with what?" He asks as he pauses wiping down the bartop.

I shrug as I take another swig. "Anything. Tell me a story. Sing a song. Do a fucking puppet show. I don't care. Distract me."

"What story would I tell? My life's not interesting, doll." Husk responds.

"Tell me how you died," I suggest. "I'll tell you how I did. My lovely little brother who I cared for all my life, slit my throat after killing our father." I say. "After I sacrificed my life for him. Chasing away his demons. Protecting him from our father. He went and ~slick~" I draw my finger across my neck in a cutting motion. "That's the kind of thank you I get." I chuckle darkly as I finish off my drink.

I frown at the empty glass and push it away. "Damn, doll, that's rough." Husk shrugs as he takes my empty glass and begins filling it again.

"He was the only thing I lived for and now he wants to kill me again." I mutter as I quickly snatch the drink from Husk before he can slide it over. I lap at the alcohol like a parched man. I exhale as I set the once again empty glass down. I groan as the room tilts and spins slightly.