Page 160 of The Beloved


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For who was he to disregard an order from his beloved master?

Just as he released the exhale, the subtle chords of a guitar started to emanate throughout the room, and people, drawn to the sound, quieted and turned to the source.

Zsadist had sat down in a chair, and was strumming an instrument that was the color of honey, his skull-trimmed head bowed, his dagger hand plucking the strings.

And then he started singing, “Would you know my name…”

Oh, that voice. Like that of an angel, and the words that were sung, set to that simple melody, wove their way through the crowd… and brought thedoggenout from the back, Fritz’s staff in their uniforms lining themselves up.

“… time can break your heart…”

And though Fritz attempted to remain professional, he was seduced into the moment as well, and he looked at them all with great warmth and affection. From the original Brothers whom he had served for so long, to his Queen, whom he had watched over when her father could not, and her human friend, Butch, whom he’d been sure would end up bloodying the carpet… to Bella and John Matthew and Xhex, Rehvenge and Ehlena… to Qhuinn and Blaylock, Payne and Dr. Manello, Saxton and Ruhn, and the whole of the Band of Bastards—and all of the others who had come unto the group, funneling into the household through destiny’s hand, congregating here out of common purpose and loyalty, living their lives, together.

It was such a privilege to serve them all, and as he regarded them, he thought, too, of the ones they had lost along the way.

“… no more tears… in heaven…”

The human words touched him and he prayed they were true. He needed to believe that the afterlife was just like this party the now.

All of them together.

For an eternity.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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