Dark Secrets • Cardinal Copia

Chapter Two

Embry sat there in the pews, finally calmed down, listening to Papa speak, taking words from the bible as well as speak his own godly words.

Embry watched as the curtain opened and revealed drums, bass, Electric guitars, a whole keyboard stand and a few other mics. Five men and three women, all getting in their place. All but two of those people where unfamiliar, Sodo and Aether, whom both were playing the electric guitars.

They began to play songs, songs Embry has never heard of so she just assumed that they made those songs themselves. The songs were beautiful, all talking about Jesus, God, and the Bible. They were definitely christian songs. Embry fell in love with their house band. Especially the way Papa danced on stage. She watched his every movement, her eyes were locked on him, and him only.

He saw this and had been giving her looks right back, making sure she knew she was being noticed. Once again that feeling that Embry had came back. While she watched as Papa sang and moved around the stage, she was trying her best to ignore the feeling between her legs.

Embry tapped her foot to the music that was spreading throughout the whole church. Embry never wanted to leave as she continued to stare Papa down, not even looking at the rest of the band. They didn't interest her as much as that man did.

After a few songs the curtain closed and it was just Papa that was able to be seen on stage again, he went back to reading from the bible and speaking his Christian words.

Embry sat there, pretty uncomfortable, just listening to Papa and waiting for this whole thing to be over.

Once it was over, Papa walked off stage said goodbye to some other people, and as Embry and her mom began to walk out Papa came up to the two of them.

"How did you two enjoy the show?" He asked, eyeing the sweet innocent girl in front of him. He grew one just looking at her.

Embry gave him a genuine, big smile, "I loved it."

"She plays instruments at home, she plays Bass and Ukulele." Her mother exposing her daughter.

Papa's face lit up, "That's wonderful! You'll love Rain then! He plays Bass. I'm sure he can teach you a thing or two."

Embry matched Papa's energy, "I would love that!"

Laura spoke up, "Embry, honey, why don't you stay here with them for a few more hours, help them clean up the place, put everything away, and I'll come back after my trip to the store."

Embry wasn't sure how Papa would feel about her mother just placing her responsibility onto him. Embry didn't want to feel like a burden.

"Yes! Why don't you stay with us, I'll help you get to know the band! We will get you something to drink and a snack, you can sit back stage, we have a couch, a TV, and board games, as well as card games. You don't even have to worry about helping us clean up!" Papa insisted this time and her mother nodded and walked away, leaving Embry with the man that made her feel funny.

He smiled softly down at her, taking her hand and the two began to walk.

Papa relished in the way her hand fit in his, he was sure that they were meant to be. He squeezed her hand slightly and ran his thumb over the top of her hand. He felt her tense up and he looked over at her face which was bright red. He smirked as he helped her up the stage steps and behind the curtain, walked to the left and walked through the door that led backstage.

Everyone looked at Papa and the new girl. Sodo and Aether waved happily, excited to see her again.

Aether walked away and came back with a pink rose and handed it to the girl.

"Welcome home, miss." He bowed to her. She gasped and took the beautiful pink rose and held it to her chest.

"Thank you sir." She said softly, Papa chuckled at her, easily able to tell she has never been treated like this before.

Aether nodded and walked away, the other men and women still looking her.

"Angels. This is Embry. Her and her mother are new to this church." Papa took her hand and led her closer to the Angels.

They all waved and smiled at her, saying hello.

She waved awkwardly back. "I'm from New York." She replied.

They all widened their eyes, "You traveled a long way, you're not just new to the church, you're new to the whole state!" A bigger, beautiful women replied.

"That's Cumulus. Over there is Mountain, Rain and Cirice. That's Sodo, but you've already met him. That is Swiss and Sunshine." Papa introduced them

He guided Embry to the couch and he sat her down. Aether came back with water and a few different snacks. Oreos, cheezits, and snack cakes.

"I didn't know which ones you liked so I brought them all." He smiled down at the girl and sat them down on the coffee table in front of her.

She thanked him and they all continued to do their thing.

Embry decided to eat a Zebra Cake and drank her glass of water. She have never been treated like this. It's like they are treating her like royalty! They were all so kind to her, she wasn't even close to used to it.

"What? Have you ever had a man treat you this way?" He asked, genuinely concerned.

Embry shook her head shyly and Papa froze.

"Not even your father?" He asked softly, placing a hand on her thigh after sitting down next to her.

"My father was a drunk after my brother's death, even before then he never acknowledged me." Embry replied with no emotion, she hated emotions, she hated crying, and she hated being angry, so she just ignored them.

Papa was mortified. How could someone treat such a lovely girl like her in any horrible way? He thought. And her brother died? She's gone through so much...

"What about your friends, Darling?" He continued.

She paused, "One of them hits me continuesly, and the others just use my kindness and then abandon me. So I'm not used to this at all."

Everyone was looking at her, all in sympathy. She hated it. But she felt the need to be honest.

Little did she know the Angels and Papa don't normally treat anyone like royalty to the extent they are for this girl.

They all can tell... She's special...

Probably because she's so damaged...