Hunger (Damnation Book 1)

Chapter 9 - Get the Party Started

When we get home, I run upstairs and start getting ready. I've got to look good. These kinds of events are easy to get new souls. Seeing that it's a party for the demon of greed, Daddy spared no expense. We are in the big ballroom tonight and it's going to be huge. There are flashing lights being set up, Pogue is getting his band warmed up and people are beginning to arrive. As quickly as I can, I throw on a pair of black shorts, a white halter with a high neckline and almost no back to speak of, with my favorite black flats. I want to dance tonight and it's near impossible to really grind in heels. You can if you want, but it's an easy trip from that to the floor. Touching up my make-up, I head downstairs.

Looking around, Chase hasn't shown up yet. I'm surprised he hasn't called. Checking my phone, I realize he hasn't tried to talk to me outside of school since last night. Not that it really bothers me. He's so suffocating sometimes. Instead of dwelling on the john who has practically disappeared, I begin to make my way around the floor and see who has arrived. Almost everyone from school is here and Pogue is totally on point on the makeshift stage. I find Sasha and the girls and start dancing with them. I know we look hot and draw the eyes of all the guys in the room.
"Rosaline," I hear someone call behind me. Turning around, I see Randall coming towards me.

"Hey, Randall," I say, making my voice just low enough he must lean in to hear me. "Having a good time?"

"I'd have a better time if you were dancing with me," he says.

"What about Sasha?" I ask as she stares daggers at us.

He shrugs and says, "That wasn't very serious."

"And this is?"

I lick my lips and look around. As my eyes scan the crowd, I notice Chase coming into the ballroom with one of the cheerleaders on his arm. I raise my eyebrow. So, that's why he hasn't called. He's been up her skirt. I know I shouldn't care. I mean, he got me in a contract. He can choose when he stops hanging with me, for lack of a better term. Who says I can't have fun and make him jealous? I don't like it when I'm not the one in control.

"Sure," I say as Randall pulls me close and I hear Sasha and Renee giggle behind me, even though I can feel their jealousy and hatred. Sasha's is so acute it almost hurts.

We start dancing and his fingers are cold against my bare back. He leans down and kisses my neck. I pull away. Randall has had his fun with me. If I want to get his soul, I have to walk away; make him want me so bad he can't breathe. A game of cat and mouse is always a good idea and not to mention a great ego booster. I sure need it after everything.

"You know, I have to go help my brother with something," I lie and walk away before he can comment. "But I will find you later." I head back through the foyer. I want to go grab a sandwich or something then go back to my room. I'm not in the mood to party. Gil is in the kitchen when I get there.

"What can I get you?" he asks as he loads up a BLT.

I smile and answer, "Make it two."

I love my brother. He is the only person I know I can completely trust. Gil is such a predictable guy. He does what he's asked and does it well and doesn't mess around. He's the perfect soldier. He's also not a huge partier. We grab our sandwiches and head to our father's study. "Can we join you? We don't feel like partying," I ask.

He looks up from his work and smiles. He waves us over to the couch and we stretch out. Our dad may be the devil, and he may be evil, but he loved our mom, even if she didn't love him back for long. The way he looked at her when they were together; it reminds me of one of those old black and white movies. He gave us some pictures when we were younger and the woman he described as we looked at the photos didn't sound like our mother at all. I don't know how he could love someone who so easily abandoned him and us. Sitting in Daddy's study, I lay out on the couch and Gil starts massaging my feet. Daddy has some classical music playing and I am nearly lulled to sleep, but I jump when the doors are thrown wide open.