I already know about the signed Wicked Truths poster, since Damian is awful at keeping secrets, but I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
First, I just have to go out there and command the stage. Then I’m going to set a few reporters straight in the interviews, and we all get to move on from this.
The screams from the audience are so intense that I get goose bumps as we introduce ourselves to the crowd.
My hand shakes as I hold my mic, waiting for the noise to die down.
The twins are on one side of me.
Ravvi and Damian are on the other, and I comfort myself by chanting,No one is looking at you, anyway.Having sexy bandmates does help take the pressure off, since the ladies are clearly focused on them, based on the wolf whistles.
Not that I can blame them.
“Thanks for having us,” I say over the noise. “You might know this, but we’re Darkest Nights.” The crowd screams, and I smile, shaking my head. “Okay, you’re amazing. Real quick, before we get started. A lot of people discouraged me from trying to make a career in the music industry as an omega—I’m looking at you, Mrs. Ferguson.” I reference my eleventh-grade music teacher. “But at least as many people encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and for that, I’m so grateful. I came into the music world with connections that not everyone is fortunate enough to have, but we’re going to help fix that.”
The noise level amps up again, even though they have no idea what I’m talking about, and I wait for it to die down.
“Moving forward, Darkest Nights will be sponsoring three omega-specific scholarships each year. This will give other omegas the chance to make their own connections and learn from the best at Damian’s Way.” It gets loud again, and I smile as Ravvi tosses his arm around my waist, giving me a squeeze. “More information about that to come, but you can find the basics on the Ruined Records website on our page. Now, who’sready for me to stop talking so we can get to the good stuff?” The noise level gets almost overwhelming, but all I can do is smile.
I’m almost more excited about putting a little good back into the world than I am performing…
Almost.
But if I’ve learned anything about myself during this tour, it’s that I would trade it all to keep my guys happy.
I guess we’ll have to wait and see what comes next. Wherever we end up, I’m sure it’s going to be a wild ride.
Epilogue
Damian
Two Years Later
Performing has gotten easier over time. If our ill-fated, month-long vacation during our first tour taught me anything, it’s that I get bored as fuck when I don’t have clear purpose.
I’m still never going to be the person who jumps for joy when it comes time to honor the touring part of our contract, but with a little help from my mom, we negotiated it down to no more than five months a year on tour. That’s something we all can live with, at least for now.
We’ve built a solid fan base, and come next year, we’re likely to be bumped up to headliner. It’s exciting, even if it’ll come with more pressure.
Either way, it’s not more stressful than what’s going down as soon as we finish this song.
I mean, it’s not that stressful. We’re already bonded, but there is the added element of having our families in the audience.
Cove has been poking around in the bond during our entire performance. I think it’s safe to say she knows something is coming. She just isn’t quite sure what it is.
Our final song comes to an end.
Cove looks exceptionally confused as Ravvi leads us into “Die With a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.
This song doesn’t have heavy drums—at least not in the version we’re featuring. This frees up Creed to help out.
He does us a solid by heading over to help Clover out of her guitar. I hand mine off too, collecting my violin from the stagehand.
Ireallywanted to play piano for this one, but none of our songs called for having one on stage. It would have given us away.
Declan comes out as Ravvi sings the first verse.
My brother has the perfect voice to land the vocals, and the sharp tones of my violin only make his voice sound smoother and creamier.
