Hunger (Damnation Book 1)

Chapter 6 - Sacrifice

When I finally wake up, the sun is nearly setting. Michael is snoozing soundly next to me. He looks so nice when he's sleeping. Not at all the guy that tried to take me from everything I know and the ruthless killer I know him to be. Some part of me wants to just crawl back into the futon and sleep some more but I know I can't. I have a job now. I cannot disappoint my father. That's just not an option. I grab my clothes and call a cab to take me home.

Gil is waiting for me when I get there. "Where have you been all day? The Backbone closes at five," he grills me as we walk up to my room.

For whatever he isn't, he is a good brother, always checking in on me. Since our mother dropped us here without as much as a by your leave, it's mostly just been us. Yeah, we have Daddy, but neither of us trusts our other siblings. "I was at a john's house," I lie. He may be a good brother, but I don't want him to know I spent the night with the archangel Michael. He would tell Dad in a second. He may be my brother but he's still Daddy's son. He's the good little soldier.

"Chase's?" he asks.

"Yeah," I say as I change for work. I don't think he will ask Chase. Gil doesn't exactly involve himself in my souls. Changing the subject though wouldn't hurt. "Too bad I'll be missing the big party tonight."

"Maybe you can still hit the end if you get off early enough," he says to me as he walks me downstairs. "You know it will be going on all night. It's Halloween. No one sleeps tonight."

The silent drive with Gil is a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because I don't have to lie. I just won't talk about it. But it's a curse because then all I can think about is Michael. His lips were so soft. I've never kissed someone when it was so hesitant. Like he didn't exactly know what he was doing. It was so sweet and innocent. Not how someone who has been around for thousands of years should kiss. You'd think he'd have more experience seeing they really become somewhat human when they get down here. They need to eat, sleep, have sex, water, and the like. You know all the basic things a person needs to survive.

I really wish I could go to the party tonight. It is the best party of the whole year in New Orleans. It's even better than Mardi Gras, in my opinion. You can actually have a good time at ours, especially if Michael's going to be there. I could have danced all night with him, given the chance. I'm sure he's light on his feet. Then, I could've finally seduced him into a different type of dancing. I watch as the Backbone comes into view and, for the first time in a long time, I hate my life.

Getting out, I head to the locker room to change. The boss is waiting for me. "You okay?" he asks. "I didn't like the way that guy manhandled you."

"As compared to what? The way the johns treat me here is much worse," I reply.

"At least you get paid for this," he retorts and waits for me to finish getting ready. "You're in a Private again."

What a great way to make a bad night worse. I follow boss man into the room to find a very good-looking man waiting for me. Rotating my shoulders, I get ready to let my power loose. I'm not going to be caught off guard tonight. Scared and nervous Angel is gone. This may not be a bad night. This guy is channeling Brad Pitt in the Meet Joe whatever movie. So hot. He doesn't look like a bad guy, but then again, few bad guys actually look the part.

"Have a good time, sir," the boss man says with a little dip of his head. Fancy. This guy must put a crap ton of money into this place to get a head dip. I walk up, my power filling me. It puts a swagger in my step and I pop my hip as I wait for him to view the merchandise.

"Like what you see?" I ask him, my voice like pure silk.

He smiles and says, "So, far. What's your name, little one?"