Preacher Man

by Jessa Kane

outside. He comes every Sunday night, like clockwork, to watch me through the window and it’s the highlight of my week.

The town preacher, Joseph Stark. A man whose very job is to quiet the devil inside his followers, yet he teases Lucifer himself to life inside me. Makes him dance.

I reckon it’s me that’s the cause. They can sense the devil inside me and know how unfulfilled I am.

One might think a former mafia hit man would have better self control. When it comes to Mila, only Mila, they would be wrong. I slip more and more toward madness with every day that passes without me inside her.

“The baptism didn’t work,” she whispers. “I still have the devil inside me, preacher.” A fist tightens around my throat. “Who told you the devil lives inside you?”