low

o the club's Sunday feast. It was

ed, a silent piece of armor. Frederick gave m

. Every eye was on us. His hand rested on the small of my back

ub was whispering. Colby had been spotted off the I-10, holed up in a motel with

Let hi

She stood and pulled me into the seat beside her, with Frede

r glass for attention. She produ

tled on black satin, was a vintage ring, intricate and beautiful. "This belong

e than jewelry; it was a symbol of

ick. He gave me a s

ed Vivian to slide the ring on

istles. Most of the members seemed

ot ev

sauntered over, a glass of whiskey in her hand. "You must have had

sult, a public insinuation that I

ederick's jaw tightened

his arm, stopping hi

le. "Thank you for your concern, Bla

hand to admire the

ut the President's private life, perhaps you should be mor

toward the corner where a su

As his... elder," I savored the word, "I suppose I'l

urning her insult back on her and asserting

s, "the honor of the Serpents of Chaos is more im

was speechless. The other Old Ladies around her loo

nded myself, I had

eamed wi

breath hot against my ear.

praise sent a sh

ted. And through it all, Colby's empty chair sat