Serpent in White

by Nyla K.

The Den belongs to the Head Priest of The Principality… Darian. It’s his home. The rest of us live in trailers, but don’t take that to mean anything negative, because they’re really nice. But he’s in charge. So he gets his own Den.

This is giving cult....

There are eight bedrooms, six baths, an office, study, library, home gym, the most fantastic kitchen you could ever imagine, three fireplaces, and a… lounge. I know, the lounge doesn’t seem as interesting as I just made it sound, but I’ll explain later.

I feel like im a character in the story with the way you are talking to me lol

I know I shouldn’t, but I’m like a curious kitten right now, pattering up to the door and twisting the handle. It’s unlocked. Checking over my shoulder, the coast is clear.

This can't be smart

he launches into one of our personal favorites. Closer by The Chainsmokers. It’s a ridiculous song for us to sing, but we kind of like that fact.

I was thinking exactly that lol

I awake from my little dream, sweating through the damn sheets.

I have a feeling that wasn't a dream...

desires I’ve never allowed myself to explore unleashed in the privacy of my bedroom.

I doubt you have as much privacy as you think

I decide to head into my lounge, likely in hopes Drake will show up. He knows where to find me.

Are yall?... You know...

"Give me a hit," I demand, and he raises a dark brow. I grit my teeth. "Please."

Drugs?

We’ve roasted two chickens stuffed with lemons and fresh thyme from the garden.

Thats all the seasoning?

My curiosity has taken a turn for the creepy at this point.

sure has

the moment you stop needing me to turn you out, brother dearest, you let me know. This arrangement could be much more practical.”

AAAHHHH!!!

Oh God. Oh God, oh God holy crap. What the fuck...

Oh ive been WAITING on this pov!

I can already hear everything they're thinking anyway,

Abdiel better watch out then because we all know what his thoughts are...

I'm distracted from Gina and the ale she’s pouring when I hear something new and startling, coming from a deep yet raspy source across the room. I take a sip from my drink to disguise myself while my eyes peer around suspiciously, and I listen... How am I supposed to look at him without remembering...

Oh NOOOO

Abdiel. That's who was thinking those… shocking thoughts just now.

Yup

He saw us. He saw Drake and me. In the lounge. But how?? How would that even be possible? Was he spying on me?

Yes to all the above

and yet we’ve never spoken actual words to one another. And every time I see his eyes, I’m always initially taken aback. Not because they’re creepy, although some would say they are. I honestly think they’re sort of breathtaking. I’m certainly without breath right now… “Abdiel Harmony.” Drake’s head cocks to the side, something smirk-adjacent on his lips,

Can he hear your thoughts too?

“Cut the act, Abdiel,” he interrupts me, tone sharp, yet still somehow smooth, like a blade. “We both know why you’re here. Is there something you want to say to me?”

Not if i dont have to, no

I’ve never had an injection before. I don’t mind needles, since I get tattooed, and acupuncture on occasion. But being injected with an unknown substance is a totally different thing.

Wait... Have you never gotten a vaccine?

I can’t be anyone’s first kiss, little mouse. You understand, don’t you? I really don’t,

Yeah there's definitely some logic missing there

“I’m gonna…” “Be a good servant and come when you’re called.”

HELP!

I actually allowed myself to feel special, as if he was bringing me into their inner circle. But after being dismissed like that, after he came and then immediately regretted doing so with me, I have to assume this is his thing. He gives people drugs, makes them feel like they’re one with God, takes advantage of their openness by messing around with them, and then sends them away.

It seems like abuse when you put it that way honestly

I’m uncomfortable, because we’ve never really talked much. Yet here we are now, chatting telepathically in the hallway of his home while he’s half-naked and sweaty. I might pass out.

The fact he is HEARING these thoughts of yours rn is sending me

I’m so nervous he’s going to hear my impure thoughts about him; that he’ll pick up on my little crush. My entire body is flushed, and I feel like my clothes might disintegrate right off my flesh.

See now if i were you id want to kill myself right about now

Because I’m sure he can hear everything I’m thinking, he backs up an inch, then stretches his arms behind his back, eyeing me while swiping at his bottom lip with his tongue, an act I just know I’ll be seeing in my dreams for the foreseeable future.

Can you please stop thinking so goddamn loud!

I tilt my head to wet my hair once more before I get out, thinking back to what happened today with Drake. And now this…

Youve had a big day today friend

We pull apart just enough to breathe, his hands on me and mine on him. And then he whispers over my lips, “Let’s get high, baby.”

Hot

I told you… I was waiting for you, my King. I think I’ve been waiting for you, too… Prince Abdiel.

Oh my God

“Apparently, Gem and Lauris miss me.” “Oh yea, we miss you like a yeast infection,” Lauris sneers and Drake bursts out laughing while Gem gasps, throwing her hands over her mouth to hide her giggles.

Yeah that was funny lol

"Where are you going, little mouse? It was just getting fun." "I'm going to find Darian," I mutter, leaving the study and heading in the lounge's direction to see if he's there. "You just admitted you have nothing for me... Nothing but games."

Oh you confident confident

Drake pulls back and his eyes become much more severe. There's heat in them, sure, but it's momentarily doused with rage. It sort of scares the shit out of me.

Same

“It should be special, baby. It’s your virginity.

I feel slightly different

“He’s on our land. I won’t let anyone threaten my family.” My family. Meaning me. Swoon.

LMAO

“I’m Darian,” I introduce myself. “This is my brother, Drake.”

Yall really should have rebranded your relationship

I should just leave them alone to do their thing… Like I was going to with Lars. Did it kill me a little every time I knew Darian was with him? Sure. But I’m used to pain. It’s part of my existence. And now the pattern is being repeated with his son.

Oh that's TEA

I’ve been a Domestic since I was fourteen, and I’ve been in love with him the whole time, whether I knew it or not. Am I to believe he only just noticed me?

I would like to believe that, yes

a large, flat rock that wasn’t there before. It’s black, like obsidian, almost sedimentary in its layers. It looks volcanic, though somehow shiny as well.

It cant be both volcanic and sedimentary... This description is confusing me

he’s gay. Alright, then… that settles it, I guess. I’m not sure why I’m disappointed all of a sudden. I have this weird stinging feeling in my gut, like jealousy, and it’s ridiculous. It goes against everything I just said to him… Plus, again, can’t stress this enough, I don’t know this person.

Are they entering in a new love interest half way through the book? Im so confused by this exchange

“It’s interesting meeting an Outsider. You’re so different from everyone I know.” “Outsider?” My eyes dart to his while we trek, side by side. “Yea. I’m part of a community,” he explains.

Community....cult....who can say?

her nose and large eyes actually resemble Abdiel’s a bit, which has me wondering if maybe they’re related.

This is the third mention of that. Please dont let that be true

That spot… there’s some spooky, other-worldly shit living in it, and I think you know that. I think you’re…” He pauses and gulps visibly. “I think you’re feeding it.”

fuuuck

Just because something exists, doesn’t mean it’s for you to know about.”

I kinda agree with that....

I’ve only ever lived in the States, but it’s not exactly as fabulous as us Americans try to make it seem, or some other countries think it is. They glorify the USA as the best damn place on Earth, but beneath the surface of our shiny, apple pie-scented land of the free is a dark, seedy underbelly; a prism of evils unlike anything God probably ever imagined when He, or She, created the earth.

Real

I’m trying this shit. Empyrean. And if I overdose and die, well then… it was meant to be.

Injecting An unknown substance into yourself unsupervised is insane

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Abdiel,” she whispers to him, but then stands taller, addressing the crowd, “But the people need to hear this.”

Dont

I witnessed Drake kill that man, in the clearing by the peak. I watched him drag the dude up the mountain, shove him to his knees and slit his throat. It was terrifying in the moment, but even more so were his thoughts. I heard him… remembering things. About his and Darian’s foster father. About their past. Drake killed that man, too. When he was only a teenager. And now, the people deserve to know who they’re worshipping.

Please get context first my god

“And then, of course, your leader. Your Head Priest.” My eyes land on Darian once more. “Five wives yet still no children? Doesn’t make much sense, does it?”

Okay let's not out people though

“Make a change. Vote out the King!” My voice is so loud it echoes through the trees. I watch the intrigued faces, all eyes glued up on me, and for one very brief moment, I actually expect them to cheer. But they don’t.

Why would they? No one likes beinh told they're brainwashed. Plus you didn't even give them clear reasons to doubt their leader...

Loyalty is the key I hadn’t anticipated.

No shit sherlock. This was a terribl idea from the start

I can hear a lynch mob forming in their minds, and it’s scaring the shit out of me. I acknowledge that I made a huge mistake here. I may have just gotten myself killed.

How has the thought not crossed your mind before?! You literally just saw Drake slit a police officers throat like a sacreficial lamb on top of the mountain for simply coming on to their land. What the fuck did you think he or any one else would do to you???? You have like zero self preservation skills. Are you passively suicidal or something?