I’m too short to close the distance, but he doesn’t lean forward. I can tell from the set of his mouth he’s fighting to keep what little distance between us that we have left.
“Hey, Wrath,” Reese calls from the doorway. “I can’t fit my braids into the mask.”
Wrath quickly takes two steps back and I can feel a blush creeping in. Reese looks between the two of us, grinning from ear to ear. “Sorry to interrupt.” She pauses and Wrath coughs uncomfortably. “No one is gonna mistake me for a six five British bassist, though, anyways.”
Reese holds up a black silky material that the boys usually wear underneath their masks to cover their hair. I noticed in recent shows that Eerie had ditched it, allowing his hair to flow freely.
Wrath nods. “Leave your braids out, then. I’d like people to know who you are.”
She grins at him. “Awesome,” she replies. “I’m so fucking pumped for this!”
Reese skips out of the room. I reach for my mask. “I guess it’s time to go,” I say, holding the mask out for Pisces to help put on. He secures it swiftly, making sure the straps are tight but nottoo tight. He places his thumb on my bottom lip, and I think he’s going to kiss me. He leans in closer.
“Red lips, remember?”
Then he’s gone from the room and I let out a sigh, feeling the pulsing between my legs and wishing Reese hadn’t interrupted.
But it’s a good thing.
Because he’s not my mate.
I’ve always loved Voracious Maw’s performances. But it is so much better being onstage with them during one. For once in my life I can understand why people enjoy being the center of attention. There’s a thrill to it. Though without the mask I wear, I’d feel way too exposed to be under the spotlight. The show begins the usual way, always with a song that starts off a bit slow so that Wrath can prowl out onto the stage, towering over the crowd. He walks up to the microphone stand, plucking the mic off it and coming to stand in front of the crowd as he starts to sing.
The bass line starts in and Dericia walks in from the other side of the stage, flipping her braids around, drawing audible gasps and cheers from the crowd as they realize she’s filling in for Eerie, and that Eerie must have gotten food poisoning too.
The guitar starts in as Poison enters stage left. Again a round of cheers erupts, almost drowning out Wrath’s vocals. Mist appears behind the drum kit up on a platform behind Poison, and the crowd loses their minds again. I follow Gwen’s direction as she motions for me to ascend the platform behind where Eerie normally plays. I take my place at the mic stand, just before my part begins.
A thrill goes through me as the crowd cheers at seeing me up there as well.
I begin harmonizing with Wrath’s voice and he startles a bit, his voice faltering almost imperceptibly as he turns around and looks up at me on the platform. I wonder if I’ve messed up, but then I spot his grin, his white teeth flashing against the dark body paint that covers his lips.
The song ends with a flourish, my arms matching the sultry movements I learned from Niamh. Simon walks out onto the stage as the cheering starts to subside, causing another round to start up again. Wrath hands the microphone to Simon, who waves to the crowd.
“How’s everyone doing?” he says, greeting the crowd. “Listen, we’ve obviously got a little bit of a change up here.” He motions to Reese. “Our bassist is noticeably more attractive than usual.” He grins. The crowd cheers in agreement, and I can’t help but think Simon is so going to pay for that comment once Evan hears.
“All jokes aside,” Simon continues, “our bassist, Eerie, and our usual backup vocalist are sleeping off a nasty bout of food poisoning. They’ll be fine, but we’re honored to have some pretty spectacular fills in from Goddess’ Trance’s band and crew with us tonight. Give them a warm welcome!”
The crowd does as told. I give a little wave and Dericia whips her braids around, mimicking how Eerie usually head bangs. Simon hands the microphone back to Wrath and the stage lights dim, even though the sky still holds onto the sun.
An atmospheric backing track to one of Voracious Maw’s heaviest songs begins playing and Wrath’s screams fill the stage, an offering of fury to the stars.
By the time we’re halfway through the set, I realize I’m quite enjoying this. My arms ache a bit from all the slow sultry dancingI’m doing up on the platform, but I’m having a hard time keeping the smile from taking over my face.
When Wrath starts singing my favorite song, I stop trying. I realize I’m not the only one having a blast. Reese spins around, braids twirling around, as she imitates Eerie. I bet she’s smiling ear to ear under the mask.
I catch sight of Amelia and Liz backstage. They wave at me and I shoot my smile their way. As Poison starts in on a beautiful guitar solo, Wrath prowls my way, hoisting himself up onto the platform; quite the feat, considering how far off the ground it is.
I think he’s just going to sit and chill with me for a little bit, but instead he gets to his feet, coming and standing behind me, which makes my breath hitch. Good thing I’m just dancing during this part of the song. I falter a bit but continue swaying my arms and hips even as Wrath slides his arm around my front, placing his hand at the column of my throat. His other hand goes to my hip as he pulls me back into him. I angle my head up and look at him. He lowers his mouth to my neck, giving me a quick kiss, the edges of his mask biting into my skin just briefly.
“You sound divine,” he murmurs, a faint smile touching his lips.
With that he’s gone, lowering his hand to the edge of the platform and jumping off it. He lands a bit unsteadily on his feet but runs back to the microphone and pulls it off its stand, nearly missing the start of the next verse.
I breathe out a sigh of relief and begin another round of harmonies. I can still feel where his long fingers gripped me. Did he come up here just to tell me I’m doing a good job? Gratitude swells in my chest at how kind the gesture is.
The rest of the show passes too quickly. Before I know it, I’m wedged in between Poison and Reese as we all bow. The crowd throws flowers and gifts and other presents up to the stage—I’m pretty sure I see men’s boxer briefs thrown towards Reese’s side.Reese and I make our way off stage, leaving the boys to continue to bask in the crowd’s admiration.
Wrath bows low to the crowd, expressing his gratitude to them. Poison and Mist throw things out to the crowd. I can make out drumsticks and guitar picks being tossed through the air, and hands all grasping for the chance to catch one. Poison even lowers himself, reaching out to a fan and clasping their hands, thanking them for their support.
