38. Sebastian
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
SEBASTIAN
We spent last night at Stevie’s apartment, and I think it was exactly what she needed to go into tonight with a clear head.
It probably helped after the seven orgasms I gave to her.
She could barely walk by the time I was finished.
If I hadn’t started to get hungry, I’m convinced I would have been able to get more out of her.
The drive and ferry ride out to the small island that Moore Mansion sits on was traveled much like the events before it—in a dense silence. The water calmly rocks the boats back and forth as we approach the dock.
With my arm wrapped tightly around Stevie, the distance between us could not be vaster.
I understand the range of emotions she’s going through, because the last month has been a lot for her—and me, if I’m being honest. Not only have I led this entire operation, but I’ve also been a key participant.
That, coupled with my surprisingly growing feelings for Stevie, was not something I expected.
A simple infatuation—sexual tension that could be cut with a knife since the first time I met her that night—has grown into a deeply intense obsession.
The dark night does nothing to satiate my infatuation as it once did.
Engaging in nighttime activities is my life, and when the Black Veil Society is no longer a threat, I refuse to imagine it without her.
But as I glance at the weary expression on her face, which is even clearer through the shadows from the dim lights around us, there’s no longer denying she has become a part of me that I will not allow myself to lose.
“It’s all or nothing tonight,” Stevie mumbles, staring at the old mansion on the hill.
A yellow hue illuminates the lower level of the structure. I keep looking around at the various locations where the night crew is stationed around the premises.
“Everything is going to be fine.” I take her hand, leading her off the boat and onto the dock.
“Tell me again where everyone will be.” Stevie’s voice cracks as she searches for additional reassurance. We’ve gone over the plan multiple times in the last twenty-four hours, but if she needs to be reminded, then I don’t mind telling her a million more times if it brings her peace.
When we’re out of earshot of the ferry captain, I begin. “One guy will be stationed at the northern entrance. Another will be on patrol, walking the perimeter of the mansion the entire time we’re here.”
She tucks herself into the crook of my arm while we stroll through the grass, pretending as if we don’t have a care in the world.
“Two guys will take out the security guard at the entrance, because we know there will be one. After he’s secured, they’ll stand watch along the south side, inside the building.
Christian and Hayden, as you know, will case the second level before they set up with their sniper rifles in the rafters. ”
We approach the stone steps leading to the large wooden front doors, but Stevie stops. “And you have full trust?”
“I do. I’ve worked with these guys for years, and they’ve been on some fucked-up jobs with River and me. Not to mention their individual backgrounds.”
“All right.” She nods. But I sense she’s still unsure.
“Stevie, their background before they even began working with us makes them more than qualified for this operation. Yes, this is scary, but we have the absolute best men working for us.”
Her lips rub together, quivering slightly. “Okay.”
“They have trained for this the entire week,” I continue.
“All we have to do is keep up the act as long as we can. The guys will handle the rest.” I cup her face, forcing eye contact.
“And no matter what happens, they have direct instructions to get you out first. I will never let anything happen to you.”
One of the wooden doors swings open. The same familiar security guard at all the Black Veil Society events stands in the doorway.
“You’re the last to arrive. Please come in.” He sounds annoyed, and I hold back a sharp comment. I’m not in the mood to be tested.
I grab Stevie’s hand tight in mine and step inside the foyer first. My eyes scan our surroundings as we’re led through the hall.
As we pass the empty ballroom, I recall that first night with Stevie at the masquerade ball.
Since the night we met the masked members of the Society, my vow to take them down has only intensified.
After hearing what they do and how much they take pride in the killing of innocent people, I’m ready to put an end to all of them.
The guys and I knew the event space would be vacant tonight, and after Christian and I hacked into their internal system, he confirmed it on their event calendar.
Although I’m not part of the internal communication between them, I sense the guys are getting into place as we speak.
Jamming the security system is on Christian for tonight, and we discussed waiting until the last minute so he could easily splice the ‘blind’ spot it would cause with the rest of the footage.
“Right this way.” The man leads us into what looks like a large entertainment space, not quite the size of a ballroom.
As we round the corner into the room, the members in their masks and cloaks put me on high alert.
What the fuck? Silas never told us to conceal ourselves.
Who I assume to be Silas stands in his usual spot at the front of the room while a collection of chairs is positioned in a circle next to him.
I quickly notice there are ten seats—three are taken by who I also assume to be Bob, Dan, and Harry, which means Silas brought out a place for the dead members as well. Kind of weird.
“Come in!” Silas waves over Stevie and me. I recognize that bastard’s voice.
As we slowly enter the room, I note the rafters high on the second story. Christian and Hayden definitely noticed where we are by now and already know where they need to be. My eyes drag along the walls, decorated with old paintings and large ceramic vases holding wide tree trunks in place.
“I didn’t know we were supposed to come masked,” I bite, but roll with the change in plans, which is all I can do at the moment.
“You’ll find out why,” Silas says, alluding to something specific.
I want to get this fucking over with, and I feel my patience growing thin.
“Please, sit down.”
I guide Stevie over to one of the chairs in the circle. She reluctantly sits down, and I can sense her energy and the unease settling into her bones. But she doesn’t need to fear anything because I am here.
Once we’ve taken our spots, my eyes land on the three empty chairs across from me, holding a presence in the room. The damage we’ve done so far and the evidence of the casualties to these serial killers give me an arrogant pride.
“As I am sure you’re all aware, we’re sad about this year’s killing season coming to a close.” Crossing one leg over the other, he glances at the chairs, presumably for Larry, Pete, and Wendy. “And for our fellow members, may they find peace wherever they are.”
“You don’t think they bailed, do you?” I can’t tell which member is speaking.
“No.” Silas shakes his head slowly, confident in his words. “I can’t figure it out, but perhaps our friend, who Annabel kindly took out over here, is involved.”
Silas stumbles over Stevie’s moniker, and I swear it sounded like he was about to say Stevie. It put my instincts on high alert. Why would he make that mistake? Or am I more restless tonight because of the rumbling inside me to end this group once and for all?
One member claps his hands together. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” Stevie returns. She’s doing a good job of staying calm, even though I know her insides buzz with adrenaline.
“Well, shall we get started?” My hatred for his upbeat fucking voice grows by the minute. “I’d like to formally welcome Annabel and the Dark Prince to our group, as they have now completed their first killing season with us.”
The remaining members give us a round of applause.
I force a smile. “Thanks.”
Stevie simply nods and gives a weak grin.
“Every season we open masked up, and we end the same way. It’s symbolic of being able to step out from the darkness of the real world, hiding our true identities and double lives, and enter a safe place with other like-minded individuals free of judgment or persecution.
To close, we reinstall our masks to prepare for returning to our hidden state, which is what most call life. ”
I can relate to the notion of darkness and secrecy, but I differ from those around me.
“Now”—he clasps his hands and jumps to his feet—“I have something for both of you.”
I watch with guarded curiosity as Silas retrieves a pair of black cloaks and two masks identical to the ones the rest of the members are wearing.
Silas gestures for us to come up.
My eyes scan the room, glancing over each crevice and nook, searching for a sign of Hayden and Christian, as confirmation that they’re already in place.
“Here, let me help you.” I hear Silas’s voice and whip my head around to see him holding the cloak out while Stevie cautiously steps into it.
“I don’t think so.” I step in, ripping the fabric from his hands. “No one touches what’s mine, Silas.”
Stevie breathes a sigh of relief as I slide it over her head, but not before shooting me a smirk. Once hers is on, I grab mine. Gripping the seam as if it’s poison, I jerk it over my head, my impatience on its last thread. Fuck, I’m tired of this act and want to kill these monsters already.
The other members congratulate us from their seats. Stevie’s eyes meet mine in a panic as soon as Silas gestures for her to put on her mask.
How are the guys going to tell us apart if we all look the same? Hayden and Christian will shoot from the rafters, but will hesitate if they can’t tell who’s who, which will delay the entire operation and give the killers a chance to get away.
Fuck.
Then an idea forms.
I help Stevie cover her face, but move my hands along the base of her neck in a swift motion, pulling her hair out at the same time.
Making sure it sticks out and is resting on her back, she won’t be mistaken for one of them.
Nevertheless, my situation could be more complex.
The only hope I have is standing as close to her as I can, hinting it’s me and not one of them.
I have also noticed that the other members have remained seated in the same spots since we arrived.
If Hayden and Christian are already on their marks, they’ll be tracking each movement.
“How does it feel to be a permanent member?” Silas’s expression beams through his covered face. “You now belong to us.”
In your fucking dreams.
Stevie answers first. “It’s great. I look forward to future killing seasons.”
“Wonderful.” A chuckle behind the sinister lightness of his tone. “Typically, the new members make a sacrificial kill at the last meeting, but you’ve already done that, haven’t you, Annabel?”
“That is correct,” she confirms coldly.
“And you, the Dark Prince. I’d recognize your level of evil anywhere, so there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll bring death and destruction anywhere you go,” he adds.
Great. He’s trying to bond with me. How disgustingly sweet.
“Can we talk about our kills yet?” one member interjects, and I immediately recognize it is Bob, The Butcher.
“Oh, yes.” Silas walks back over to his spot, leaving the front of the room without being shot yet. What the hell is taking them so long? “Bragging is the best part, am I right?”
“Obviously,” a different member mutters.
“Okay, who would like to begin?” Silas asks.
The same member who I vaguely recognize as Dan, Doctor Dread, speaks up.
“Well, you fuckers are going to be jealous of this one.” I doubt that.
As he clears his throat, Stevie’s hand squeezes mine.
“Let me first begin by saying what an amazing choice Seattle was this year, because that state campus is a goddamn gold mine.”
Silas nods. “It was an excellent location.”
“Yeah, can I petition to have us return next year? I need another crack at those college girls.”
Bob chuckles, his raspy voice breaks through. “I’ll second that motion.”
“Can we hear what happened?” the last masked member interjects, craving the horrific details. That must be Harry. He doesn’t like to waste time—as a shooter, like me, he wants to get the job done as quickly as possible, forever chasing that high of his first kill.
While Dan begins again, I catch sight of a black shadow from my periphery. Hayden is taking the south side—it must be him.
My shoulders relax slightly.
“And then I took her back to this rundown motel in a seedy part of town. Got all my tools ready, gave her a little exam…” He pauses, as if the sick fuck is reliving his kill.
“She screamed, and it made everything so much better. I reminded her I’m a doctor and only doing what’s best for her and then I sank my cock into her tight little pussy.
” He flips his mask up to expose the lower half of his face, then brings a balled fist up and bites it.
“Took me two pumps until I filled her with cum. Then gave her one more beautiful pelvic exam to appreciate how I leaked out of her, before slitting her throat.”
My leg twitches, fighting back the reflex to lunge at him and slit his fucking throat.
A soft pop sounds in the air. My limbs lock into place, and my eyes frantically scour the room before landing on Dan. Blood spills from the side of his neck. His body quickly falls limp, dropping to the marbled floor with a thud.
And for a split second, a suffocating silence rips the air from my lungs.
Finally. Let’s get this fucking thing started.