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“Look, I’ve seen this pattern” —Maya looks at Saskia—“not naming names. He’s doing this for attention.”
Cartier looks over Maya’s shoulder, pausing her lone dancing in the background. “Ahhh.” Her tone is coy, as if she’s bored or has seen the same shit multiple times before. She probably has. “Don’t even take that seriously. That is my brother pushing you away. It’s desperate. Clearly.” Cartier moves back, jumping up onto a chair and rolling her body to the music. Ed Sheeran’s voice filters through the space. I love Ed’s music, but he’s not crazy enough to pull me out of this panic.
“Yeah, well, I’m way too fucked up for this.” I take a long pull of alcohol, opening the app on my phone and clicking on Instagram. “Where are they?”
“There’s a bonfire tonight in the middle of the valley. Look, in any other case, I would say yes, go crazy. Fuck them both up—but!” Maya takes my hands, pulling the bottle away from my lips. “I have a better idea. Keen to play?”
I search her eyes, dark green with a mixture of blue. “Depends. What do you suggest I do?”
Maya sucks on the joint, blowing out a thick cloud of smoke rings. “There’s an RV that I am almost certain he will not want you entering.” She leans forward. “And one of the men in there just so happens to be our little doctor’s husband. And I say husband lightly.”
I stand from my chair, grazing her hand with mine. “We’re going.”
“Bye!” Saskia waves out, not moving from her spot. It’s an odd feeling, knowing anyone and everyone can exist and live within this village and never have to worry about their safety.
Maya directs us out of the tent, where I wave at The Dolls who are already taking shape with their dance. The cool November weather slaps me across the face, and I zip up my leather jacket farther, wishing I had put on actual pants tonight instead of the short skirt and thigh-high boots. At least they’re lined with fur, I guess.
Solar lights line the exit and entry to the tent, as well as pathways that lead to houses. Maya directs us around the front of the tent and toward a clearing in a forest.
I pause. “Maya…”
“Oh, come on…” she teases, walking backward while keeping her eyes on me. “Scared?”
Putting one foot in front of the other, I shoulder barge past her and enter the clearing. Twigs snap under my heel, and leaves brush together as the cold wind bites through the air. There’s a pathway that Maya directs us through, only this time, no lights.
“They stay in the forest?” I ask, brow quirked.
“Yes and no. They prefer the lifestyle of an RV and cabin, so they stay in the woods, yes. When you think about it, it’s calmer.”
“I guess,” I add, moving through the fallen branches that need to be removed. “I’ve always loved the forest, but I don’t know if I could commit to living in one. I know that’s where Bear has always felt more at home, though.”
Flames light up and music carries me to where there’s a group of men and a few women surrounding a bonfire. It’s not the bonfire that distracts me, though, and if I’m being honest—which I am—I can’t tell you any details about most of the people here right now, because they’re all naked and fucking—all but one.
He’s perched on a chair, unbuttoned jeans and shirtless. Dark hair scatters over his broad chest, and a beard trails down to his collar. Thick, dark, and manly.
Shit.
He has a full head of hair, though it’s styled messily right now. He finds Maya and me instantly, just as he raises his beer bottle to his lips.
Kicking out his leg, he nudges his head. “Maya, this ain’t your scene anymore, boo. Turn back around now.”
“Oh, I know that.” Maya takes my hand in hers, pulling me closer to the scene. There are a few cabins in the distance, expensive cars and an RV. It’s nice out here almost—like you’re a world away from The Village. “But have you heard of Lilith?”
His eyes find mine, his knee jiggling as he curls his lips beneath his teeth. The closer I get to him, the more I see his age. He didn’t look that old from a distance, but now I see it around the edges of his eyes—eyes that are as dark as every nightmare I ever had. “I have. Last I heard, she doesn’t belong here either.”
“Ahh.” Maya taps her temple. “But that’s where you’re wrong. Right, Lil?” They’re both looking up at me, but I’m too busy studying what’s happening around me to answer. Before I can say anything, I’m walking toward the closest people. Two girls and one guy. One girl is riding the face of the male, while the other is bouncing on his dick like it’s her favorite toy.
