Last night, I dreamed of the future. It was an odd one filled with dogs and music. In a huge house, we sat together with smiling faces and gray hair.
Could that really happen?
I was no longer simply the villain. The hopeful seminary turned serial killer. With Phoenix, I’d returned to some semblance of humanity. I’d regained my humanity.
Because of that Phoenix now would serve as my life. My addiction. My obsession. My true love.
The summit of my past was crawling with so much pain and death. Despite this, I had clawed my way through the darkness. With her as my light, the trail had been impossible to follow at times. Even so, I had made it to the top, covered in blood and scars and discovered her.
How did I get up there? How have I not died from madness?
I could still see the trail that lay ahead of me, leading into the future. It didn’t look as treacherous as the past had been. In fact, it looked clear.
There were still a lot of dark bloodied things ahead of me, but I knew that I was capable of dealing with them, for the most part. The fear of the future, which had always been strong, had abated. I know knew with a clear certainty that my future flowed bright with hope and even. . .God.
Even now, I could sense divine power around me.
The more I was with Phoenix, the more it became harder to deny that divine spirit—that all-encompassing power.
Fuck. Will I have to do some sort of penance?
It didn’t matter. With Phoenix by my side, I was ready for whatever might lie ahead.
But. . .
Could my life now switch to love and hope. Healing and even. . .salvation? How would that be possible, after what I’ve done?
I’d spent these years believing that faith was false and that there was no God.
Then, Phoenix came and I cut her open and saw her soul. I felt the power of perseverance and drive. My ice cold soul warmed to her passions and melted from the loyalty she had for her friend.
She was willing to die for Quin.
When I cut her, when I feasted from her, she gave it all to me freely.
I saw the God in her.
Somehow. . .that made me believe that there was more to this world than I thought. She opened my eyes.
And it’s making me question everything from the past and even now.
Phoenix’s words pulled me out of my thoughts. “I think it’s going to rain.”
I gazed up at the darkening sky. “You’re correct.”
We made it to the bottom.
I took out the bottle of champagne. “Promises are promises.”
“Facts.” Chuckling, she took the bottle from me, opened it, and took a long swig. “So good.”
I grabbed it and drank, loving the bubbles slipping down my throat. I handed it back to her. “We have to hike more.”
“So this is what hiking is about?” She chugged it.
“Yep.” I headed off. “This is my form of hiking.”
Following, she drank some more and handed the bottle to me. “Then, I’m down to hike again.”
“There we go.” I gulped champagne and swallowed. “Hopefully, we’ll find some more caves.”
“I don’t know about that.” She burped. “Excuse me.”
“That was sexy.”
“It was not.”
“You’ve got me pussy whipped.” Keeping the bag slung on one shoulder, I gave her the bottle and took her hand. “We should hurry back. You know what happens when I see you around mud.”
Drinking from the bottle, Phoenix shook her head.
Once we finished the champagne. Lighting flashed in the sky. Then, thunder boomed. I let go of her hand and we picked up our pace to a light jog.
When we hit the trail, she passed me. “Damn. You’re slow.”
“Oh really?” I increased, getting inches closer to her, but never passing.
A rain drop hit my forehead.
We dashed through the trail where we’d had fun foraging.
I’m going to make her my special wild mushroom tart. That’ll impress her.
I had to check the kitchen and make sure everything was in there. If not, West would have to run out for supplies. I was sure he was tired of being in the house with us anyway. The ride to the store would be a great break for him.
Phoenix and I could make the pastry shell together. I like doing things with her.
We raced back to the gate.
Panting, I opened it for her.
She was nowhere out of breath like me.
Chuckling, she walked through. “Big, slow ass motherfucker.”
I smacked her ass. “If you remember, I held you up in the cave and was fucking you. That tired out my legs.”
“Excuses. Excuses.”
“Alright then. Next time you hold me in the air and fuck me.”
“That’s not even possible, Cain.” She laughed.
“Excuses. Excuses.”
Now in the yard, we headed to the house and then shock came at the sight before me.
Unease filled me. I slowed my pace. “Why are my brothers outside?”