Gods Forbid

Chapter One

Levi Kane

I threw on a baggy t-shirt and gym shorts before looking in the mirror one last time. I fluffed the front of my brown hair, making sure it had the lift and spike I wanted and turned my head from side to side to check the sideburns. Even, neat, perfect. 

Grabbing the neatly folded pile of clothes, I slid them into the bag with my makeup and the rest of my supplies for the night. I just needed to make sure I got to The Renegade on time. 

I took my car the ten block drive, parking in the staff lot in the back. 

"Levi, look at you, honey. Cutting it close aren't you?"  Beatrice held her hands out, striking a pose as she always did. 

I pitched my voice low. "But I'm here on time." I gave her a wink and she stepped aside letting me in. 

"You dressing room is two down on the left. The queens are getting fabulous and the show starts in one hour." She pointed to the door where my room was and continued on into the main room of the bar where music played and people drank. 

I went into the room and shut the door, pulling out my phone and plugging it in to the speakers so I could play my Power Girls Playlist. Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato, Shakira, Pink, the list goes on. Can't Keep My Hands To Myself started playing and I pulled the clothes out, setting them on the chair before dumping everything else out onto the table. 

I stripped down and picked up the strap on, fastening it around my waist before pulling on briefs. I then took the bindings and put them around my chest and adjusting everything, making sure the bulges and flatness were exactly where they were supposed to be. 

Pulling on the navy slacks and light blue button-up I turned to the mirror and organized my makeup. I used the foundation and creams to contour my cheeks and chin. Levi had high cheekbones and less of a pointy chin. The makeup always took the most time. 

I rocked out to Shake It Off, shaking my butt as I brushed and blended the makeup. When I was done, I looked side to side, making sure it was flawless no matter what angle you looked at me. 

Then I pulled the tan tie around my neck, working with it to turn it into a trinity knot before putting the navy vest on. I untied the laces on the dress shoes and slipped them on before lacing them back up. 

A knock on the door let me know I was ready just in time. 

"Levi it's time to be fabulous!" Beatrice called from the other side. 

I pulled the door open and the woman stepped back giving me the once over. "Darling, you. Are. Scrumptious." Her makeup had been done in bright, wild colors and she was wearing a new wig. 

I braced my hands on each side of the door frame, leaning forward just a bit, and pitched my voice again, settling into it for the night. "Well thank you, beautiful." I gave her a crooked smile, and she fanned herself. 

"Get your fine tush out there."

I made my way out to the main room and up onto the stage, taking the mic from the stand. 

"How is everyone doing tonight?" Cheers and applause erupted as a response. "I'm Levi Kane, and it's time for the Renegade Drag Show. Shall we get our fabulous queens out here for you all?" 

More cheers and applause. It was probably the largest drag queen show of the year. Everyone was packed in and had a drink in their hand. 

"All right then, I give you your Renegade Queens." Music blared and the queens came out onto the stage. Sparkly, form-fitting, billowy, so many different styles, and every single queen rocking them. Their makeup was intricately done, their hair perfect. Hours of work. 

"Shall we send them back and bring them out one at a time?" More cheers. It seemed everyone was excited to get the show started. 

"All right. Ladies, if you would, find your way down and we'll get this started." They waved at the audience and filed their way off the stage. 

"I can already tell this is going to be a good one, what do you think?" I asked the room. 

Yeahs and ow-ows could be heard over the now typical cheers and claps. 

"First up we have Harolette Lee!" Music played and she stepped onto the stage in a black form-fitting dress with sequins and rhinestones. Everyone cheered over the song until it was time the lyrics. 

She lip synced to I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston, moving around the stage, and the crowd ate it up. 

It was one queen after another. Dances, lip syncing, all sorts of different performances. I really had the easy part. Introduce them and make the people laugh, keep them engaged. 

I walked around the room, going through the rows that had been created thanks to the way they'd set up the room. 

"What did you think of all that?" I said as the last queen left the stage. 

"It's so hard to pick just one person to walk away as the Renegade Queen, isn't it?"

People shouted out names, the person they thought should win the show. 

"We will have to see what the judges had to say!" I ran up to the front where the judges were.

They made their final marks on the paper, conversing with each other before handing me a piece of paper. 

"It looks like our winner of the Renegade Drag Show is..." I paused and the room fell silent, or as silent as a bar full of drunk people could be. "Polly Tonic!"

She ran back out way more graceful in those heels than I could ever dream of being, and gave me a hug. I held up the crown and put it on her head. Everyone applauded and music played. 

I left my things in the back room and went to the bar. 

"Drinks on the house for Levi," Beatrice said as she passed by. 

"Whiskey on the rocks," I said, leaning against the bar. 

The bartender nodded and grabbed the cup, putting ice in before pouring the whiskey and sliding it across the bar to me. 

"You are the second best dressed guy here," a man said from behind me. 

*****

And here we are at the end of chapter one. This is definitely something completely new for me in the world of writing. I hope you enjoy. 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and if you liked the chapter, please give it a vote by pressing that little star! 

Thanks so much!
Red Assassin