I hoped he would be here on Sunday.
Thomas opened the doors, and the feeling of that familiar warmth was immediate.
He was here.
Why was he here on a Monday?
My heart skipped a beat as Thomas’s steps slowed. “What are you doing here?” he asked bitterly, although the bite to his rage was less today. Even in his anger and irritation, he sounded tired.
“I could ask you the same thing,” Azrael hummed, his steps silent as he made his way across the crimson carpet.
He reminded me of a ghost sometimes. Appearing whenever he wanted, so silent, that it was difficult to track him.
Not for me though. I always knew where he was.
Always.
“I have business,” Thomas answered tightly. “I am the pastor’s son, in case you have forgotten. Why are you here?”
“He’s also here for business, isn’t he? He and Pastor Masters have become so close these days. I know they are working together, how can you not?”
“I’m also here for business,” Azrael answered with a smile. “Or have you forgotten that your daddy favors me? Oh, so many secrets, so little time,” he sang.
He was teasing Thomas. Mocking him. I felt a muscle twitch at the corner of my lips again, something tingling in my chest. Amusement, I think the word was. I couldn’t remember the last time I had felt such a thing.
Thomas’s legs stiffened. “You don’t know the first thing about secrets,” he seethed.
“Oh?” He pondered, his feet coming into view. “Well, go on then. Get to yourbusiness,” he dismissed, walking by us.
Thomas grumbled and clicked his tongue, ordering me to move.
I took one step after him just as Azrael passed on my left side. “So you do hear me.”
I felt that muscle twitch again, but this time, one corner of my lips flicked up. It felt strange, tight, unnatural, but I knew what it was.
A smile.
My heart fluttered, my skin warming all over. I had pleased him. I wondered if I still had a chance to be his Favorite.
“Careful, little sinner, some might think you have emotions too,” he warned, that lilt in his voice almost playful.
My face warmed and I quickly continued after Thomas, who was so determined in his mission that he hadn’t noticed that I had momentarily paused beside Azrael.
I forced that smile down, itching to touch my hair, to touch the braid that had surely gotten his attention.
Maybe I would wear two braids on Sunday. Maybe then he wouldn’t be able to help himself. He would request for Pastor Masters to become a Leader just so he could take part in sharing me.
Although, I had my doubts that Thomas would allow that even though he was donating me to the church.
It would be the exact same, but maybe it wouldn’t. Maybe Azrael would be different back there. Maybe I wanted to show off a little for him, just to see exactly what he would do. His gaze was so different than anyone else’s, he had to be different too, I was sure of it.
I wanted him to be different so this feeling inside of me could make more sense.
I didn’twantto go to the Back Hall and be watched by the Leaders, but being watched by Azrael? I craved it every Sunday. I felt empty until I felt his eyes on me. Whatever that feeling was, I wanted to keep it forever.
Thomas led me over the threshold of the Back Hall, and we made our way to the changing room.
He put me in pigtails, sheer tights, a bra that pushed up my breasts, and a green leather dress that scraped against my skin and hugged my thighs so tight that if I were to spread my legs even a little, it would slide up to my hips.
