An Ember's Touch

Digging Holes

“Morning, beautiful.” 



“Fuc-what?” Sebastian growled into his pillow and buried his face deeper into it.



Nate leaned more in the doorway, whispering it. “Just wanted to let you know that Kassandra’s here waiting for you.” 



Sebastian perked up just from her name, automatically slapping his nightstand for his phone. There were a couple of texts from his sister, the casual wake up dirty girl picture from Dank, one missed call from Randall, and a text from Kassandra. He licked his dry lips and perched himself on his pillow, scratching his bed head. At least she came over later or I wouldn’t be getting up at all. It was already going on one, thankful he got to sleep in today. He dropped his phone face down and waved Nate off, leaving him to stare at his pillow. 



Yesterday replayed in his head, admitting having s*x with Kassandra in the treehouse being highlight of it all. Later at the meeting having to explain himself when the Hunter brought it up, fun and games being said. But then his mind quickly bubbled at the fact of Alice was f*****g with Balter’s head, and especially what Vincent said. Ask him about the Frey Boys…was he behind it then? I doubt it, I can’t see that prick killing people. He peeked through his bangs when Kassandra stepped in, double-taking. He couldn’t help but marvel at her. She was wearing a high-waisted, mid-thigh skirt and a tank top tucked in which complimented her busty figure, and knee-high boots. Her chocolate hair was down on her shoulders which ended in curls. Instantly, Sebastian was thankful that he was laying on his stomach and was able to hide his morning wood. He couldn’t help but stare the longest at her soft thighs, forcing himself to stop. He sniffled and groggily cleared his throat, looking into her blue eyes then. “What’s up?”

“Balter woke up today.” Kassandra fixed her purse strap more on her shoulder, watching him slip over to the side sat with his back to her. “Said it was a couple of guys who must have came up behind him. His friend found this near him.” She fished through her purse as she came around the bed. Sebastian was quick enough to pull the blankets over his lap as she did, confused when he got handed the card.

Kassandra watched him idly stare then grip it with both hands, saying it huskily under his breath. “…That bitch.”

So he does know. “Who is it?” 



“It’s uh.” Sebastian eyed her legs through his messy hair and his c**k secretly twitched. He fluttered his eyes, wishing the door was shut or he would pulled her onto the bed and began to strip her to start off his morning good. “Let me wake up first, but nothing good.” He murmured, handing it back then wiped his face. “I’m gonna jump in the shower, go ahead and hang out with Nate till I get out.”

“…Alright.” Kassandra frowned a little, squeezing the card. He had to know. 



Picturing all the things he would do to innocent little Kassandra, Sebastian made sure to jerk out his s****l frustration in the shower. When he came out of his room, he found her overlooking Nate and Hunter’s shoulder while they were at the kitchen on Nate’s laptop. From the concentrated look on Kassandra’s face, it wasn’t anything s****l which shocked him a little. Hunter must have just got up too since he was still in gym shorts and Basketball Jersey. His black hair was still a porcupine’s back and currently had his glasses on still. Kassandra spotted him first coming over as he dried his hair off with a towel, walking around to see Nate was sketching out in his drawing tablet next to it. Soon enough, she was encased in his shower smell which made her lady bits quiver a little. She did her best though to remain not bothered by it as he leaned his hand on the island and watched Nate did his magic. 



“So this is you guys branding?” Kassandra questioned out-loud. 



“Yeah, but more rush hour.” Nate answered before Sebastian could, Hunter got up and went for more coffee. “We’re usually more all gathered in the same room discussing ideas.” 



“Speaking of which.” Sebastian, moving around Kassandra. “Anna might have got a dip in with Coach, so I want you to go with her if it does fall through.” When he turned back, all three of them were idly staring him down. “What?”

“Coach? As in the Coach?” Nate c****d a brow, Hunter resumed to pour himself a cup.



“You want a cup, Kassandra?” Hunter was ignoring the baffling news, Kassandra snapping out of it by fluttering her eyes and watched him put sugar in his mug. 



“I, uh, what? Coff-oh. Yes, please.” 



Sebastian rolled his eyes and went into the fridge. “It’s nothing big, you’re acting like Anna.”

“Sebastian, this is big!” Nate laughed, settling his stylus pen down. “Do you know how much we can profit from this?”

“And what I told Anna last night,” He settled the milk in the counter and shut the door with his foot, raising a finger. He raised his voice out if irritation. “This is my brand, not theirs. I’m not bending backward for their pleasure just because they’re big and mighty. Alright?”



“No problem.” Nate brushed off the hostility with a snort, Kassandra looking to him. “But it just means we gotta kick it up a notch.” He closed his laptop and got up, stacking his tablet on top and gathered everything. “I’m jumping on your computer for this stuff.” 



“Fine.” Sebastian pinched his nose, groaning low. 



“And this is why his sister runs the brand most of the time.” Hunter slid a cup in front of Kassandra who perked up.

“You have a sister?” 



“Yeah.” Sebastian went into the cabinet, grabbing Cinnamon Toast Crunch then went for a bowl. “We’re partners, she runs the brand and attends the meetings while I attend my underground stuff. I just fund her and the brand to make sure it keeps going.” 



“Which is functional.” Hunter sat back down. 



“Anyways.” Sebastian sighed, grabbing a spoon from the drawer then came over. “That card is a signature of Alice Klause.” he took a seat, getting both of them to look over. “Which I got a few questions for your brother since I got word he’s been working for her too. So, he must have done something to piss her off.” He shoveled cereal into his mouth, shoving down the rumor that Balter officially wants to join the System. From what he’s seen in the past, he was just as rebellious as his sister from getting get his nose into the wrong places. If anything, worse. He wouldn’t be surprised if Kassandra came off offended by it, swallowing and tilted his head to the side. “And I’m a person who likes to get to the bottom of things so I’m not making that part up.”

“My brother wouldn’t work for any of you unless you he got something out of it.” Kassandra gripped the island, trying to contain herself but her hands began to tremble. “So what was he getting out from Vincent exactly?”

Sebastian blinked. He wants to be a member, Kass. “I’ll ask him that.” He shoveled more cereal into mouth without breaking eye contact.

“Alice has been up to no good lately.” Hunter suddenly announced, surfing his phone. “She’s been wreaking havoc in her jurisdiction. Question is if it’s Demetri’s plans or hers?”

Sebastian’s gaze tore to Hunter who sipped on his coffee. Feeling eyes on him, Hunter lowered his cup and glanced to see Sebastian’s calm expression. Kassandra shifted in place and huffed audibly, “How many members are there really?”

“Don’t know.” Sebastian’s dark eyes swiveled back to her.

“And who is this Demetri guy?” she rose her voice. “I thought you would tell me about the System.”

Hunter sipped on his coffee and made a soft noise, getting up. “I’m gonna go check on Nate and his sudden obsession.” He brushed passed Sebastian who only stared back at Kassandra, either of them not standing down from the staredown. This girl. Sebastian suddenly smirked and slipped his spoon into his bowl and cracked his neck side to side. “I told you about the System.” He rose a brow, planting his hands and stood up.

“It sounds like you just told me the tip of the iceberg.” Kassandra swallowed, watching him calmly walk alongside the island. His vibe was different, it was like a hungry wolf was slowly zoning in for the kill. “The more I ask the more of the iceberg rises up.” She pressed, walking backward from him.

“Because there are things you don’t need to know about.” Sebastian raised his voice, “If you value your life, you won’t ask any more questions.”

Kassandra gripped the edge of the couch, tipping her chin up. Her heart was throbbing nervously in her chest, feeling like a little rabbit corner. With little courage, the rabbit puffed up her chest. “My brother is in the hospita-”

The wolf in Sebastian snapped, shouting it. “Your brother is in the f*****g hospital because he was f*****g stupid!” Kassandra flinched which made Sebastian run his hands through his hair and turn around. He bit his tongue and groaned heavily, instantly pissed at himself. For a second, a dark memory of his mother’s smile flashed in his head which made his stomach knot up. Calm yourself, Sebastian. Then the picture on Vincent’s wall flickered like an old film. “Yeah, I’m a bad person.” He turned around and balled his hands into a fist, “But do you think I’m the worst? If you do, then finding out about the System isn’t for your faint heart.”

Kassandra gulped and daringly pushed off the couch, stepping closer. “I don’t think you’re the worst. I just want to know what my brother is getting into.”

“No.” Sebastian growled huskily. “I’m not watching another person dive headfirst into this black hole.”

“I already have my foot in that f*****g door when I first laid my eyes on you!” She screamed, enraged. Her voice rang through the house. Sebastian’s racing heart was drumming against his rib cage as he watched her take another step. In sick awe, he watched her blues eyes darken. For the first time ever, he saw the blue water in them thrash and break waves. She thumped his chest. “So don’t you dare pull that f*****g card with me. I looked up the symbol on the card last night, I found out about Alice before you even told me of her. But nothing links her to the System, why is that?”

Sebastian sneered and leaned in closer, feeling the spot she jabbed him burn. He glimpsed at her thin, soft lips then hissed it to her. “Because in the eyes of the true members, she’s not part of it. She’s just a f*****g substitute, a leech.”

Kassandra crossed her arms. “Well, you’re quick to judge if my brother went to work for her too.”

“That’s because your brother is…” Sebastian bit his lip and snapped away for a second, almost letting it go.. “Why are you so f*****g headstrong on getting into this mess?!”

Before Kassandra’s mind could repercussion, she blurted it out. “What makes you so dangerous?!”

Sebastian’s head jerked back, taken back. The house was dead silent, creeping into wittiness his reaction too. Here he was, silenced by a girl who didn’t know s**t about what dangers she was putting into herself. Let alone, he thought he was keeping her away from it but her mouth but was just clawing her deeper into the pit where he lived. He got a sick twinge in his stomach, feeling his nerve snap. Within a second, Sebastian grabbed the back of her neck and jerked her against his chest. Shockingly, she only made a little hiccup but kept her dark glare on him. Sebastian fell into the trashing water, easing up on his grip. He flared his nostrils and forced himself to exhale calmly, speaking softly. “The things you wanna learn about so much kill people without remorse, Kass.” He blinked, re-gripping her neck and glanced at her lips for a second. Why was this woman so intoxicating? “The system killed my mother when I was 12. Right. Before. Me. By force, I jd no choice but to join them. It was either watch my sister die next or I f*****g join them.” He growled huskily, Kassandra instantly frowned at him. Sebastian swallowed a painful lump and continued, “I almost got out a few years ago, that was till they killed my girlfriend. Car accident, remember? Kass, you are only safe if you don’t peak their God damn interest. Keep investigating like this and your body will be found in a dumpster.” he blinked, feeling Kassandra’s hard blue eyes began to soften and glass over. “I’m not the worst, but dangerous…I can be just…like them. ”

“But that doesn’t make you the bad guy.” Kassandra croaked.

Sebastian groaned and shifted his hand, tangling his fingers in her hair and tipped her chin up a little. Kassandra closed her eyes and swallowed, Sebastian watched a tear roll down her cheek. From the little race in her breath, she was scared and he wasn’t proud of it. It made him pissed at himself. He brushed the tear away and kissed his cheekbone then brought his lips to her ear, “You’re only saying that because I’m only letting you see what you can handle.” When he leaned back, they locked eyes. “Now…stop asking about the System and the members before they start looking for you. Got that?”

She gently nodded, relief fluttering her chest when he released her hair. He brushed past her, picking up his cereal bowl. “My brother.” She rubbed the back of her throbbing neck and turned to him. He dumped the soggy cereal in the sink and rinsed the bowl out, “Let me be in the room when you question him.”

Sebastian gripped the edge of the steel sink and leaned down, deeply groaning with irritation. “Fuc-…why?” He glared over his bicep.

“I feel like I don’t know him anymore.” She blinked, joining her hands against her stomach. I keep him happy, he keeps me safe. She hesitated but walked over to him, touching his side at first. She ignored his intent stare as she watching his side gently move, trailing her nails down to the jeans. She hooked her index finger in, “You told me if I basically keep you happy, you’ll keep me safe.” She blinked and locked eyes with him. Intrigued, Sebastian inhaled as he stood up straight.

“How can I when you’re being stubborn?”

I was being stubborn? “I care about my family, okay?” She gently shrugged, playing with his belt.

Sebastian watched her fingers for a second then eyed her skirt. Sebastian, stop thinking with that head. He closed his eyes and tilted his head a little, “But being like me doesn’t mean you’ll be safe.” He reopened his eyes, bright and hungry.

Kassandra swallowed and ran a finger along until she felt a V-line through his shirt. “I don’t know…then…then you’re just gonna have to punish me for it.”

Sebastian swiftly wiped his hand over his mouth and looked out the kitchen window to Nate’s car parked outside. He cursed under his breath and scooped her up by her thighs.

A squeak slipped from Kassandra when she got dropped on the bed, watching him go back and lock the door. He came back over and stripped his shirt, eying her legs. “If you really want me to punish you.” He went into his nightstand, Kassandra’s heart fluttered but skipped a breath when he pulled out blue fuzzy handcuffs. He spun them around his finger as he crawled onto the bed, locking eyes.

“Just be gen-”

Sebastian laid his thumb over her soft lips and wrapped his palm around her jaw, leaning in closer. “Not this time, babe.” He murmured and kissed her forehead. “Get up against the headboard.” A nervous smile twitched against her lips, slipping out from underneath him. Why was I agreeing to any of this? Why did I even tell him to punish me? Her mind shriveled with regret when he clasped one wrist then the other, she yipped when she got flipped onto her stomach. “Now grab it.” Kassandra peeked over her shoulder and sat back on her feet, Sebastian’s hungry wolf eyes taking her in. She stood up on her knees and gripped the headboard, Sebastian feeling her up left thigh till his fingers found her underwear. “Tell me another fantasy.”

“I don’t know,” Kassandra whispered, feeling his fingers grab her hair and slowly pull her head back. Sebastian grabbed her waist and jerked her against him. At the moment, he was only half hard. “What’s your fantasy?” When he didn’t say anything, she glanced back.

He had a playing raised brow, letting go of her hair. “You really wanna know?”

Kassandra danced her hips a little against, making Sebastian’s eyes fall to her skirt. “Persuade me.”

Sebastian dramatically sighed and smiled, “Alright.”

~~~~~*~~~~~

“Jack and Coke, right?”

“Yes, please.”

Zodiac stripped his jacket and tossed it into the booth, eyeing the packed bar as he fixed his scarf. He pulled his knife out from his pocket and slapped it down, slipping into the booth. He pulled his beanie off and dropped it over the knife, watching the bartender walk back with a glass and bottle of Jack. Closer, he noticed she had envelopes pinched under her left arm. He rustled up his hair as she came over, watching her settled everything down. “Whose the mail from?”

“One from Sebastian Klause, sir. And another from Alice Klause.” she held it out to the man. “Did you need anything else?”

Zodiac pulled his aviators off and dropped them on his beanie, revealing a left green and right grey eye. He ran his hand through his aqua hair and before he took it, chewing on his matching snake bite as he ripped it open. “What’s the special tonight?”

“Shrimp shish kabobs, sir.”

“Just that. Extra crispy.” He pulled a letter out, “Thank you, Ariel.”

The girl smiled when she heard her name, blushing as she walked aywa He pulled the ashtray over and pulled his cigarettes out, lighting one up as he unfolded it. He quickly skimmed the single line:

I’m asking for a favor.

Zodiac smirked and exhaled to the table, raising his hand and snapped his fingers twice. A guy popped out of the booth and got up, walking over as Zodiac folded up the paper and settled it in the ashtray. He ripped the other envelope open as the guy slipped in across from him. “Tell me what’s going on downtown.” He murmured, unfolding the papers. It was release papers for Demetri Klause signed by the Feds, folding it up and read her letter:

Z,

Charlie got paperwork processed with a few favors. Now it’s your turn to pay your favor.

The man joined his hands and leaned on the table. “Vincent stole guns from the Miltary and is in the process of getting them back from the police where they were confiscated. Sebastian just handed a run down Casino over to Charlie. And Charlie is planning to expand up north, without doubt, needing their help.”

“And Alice is always up to her sleazy old ways.” Zodiac took a drag and ripped the paper in half, settle the scraps under the first letter. He lit the letters on fire and watched them burn, leaning back in the booth and rolled his shoulders. “They all seem to be busy. Good.” He flicked an ash into the little fire and picked up his drink. “Any messages?” He glanced at the man who shifted.

The man licked his lips and glanced over his shoulder to the bar then turned back. He leaned in a little and whispered it, “The System wants to see the mayor dead.”

Zodiac smirked at the burning paper, tapping his fingers on the table. “That’s a big request.” He c****d a brow and flicked eyes on him, “Is the mayor mysteriously ending up dead or are we making this public?”

“They have someone in mind.” the man slipped his hand into his coat, pulling a picture out. They exchanged looks as he took it from the man’s pinched fingers, looking over the man. “He does this and he’s in.”

Zodiac flipped the picture over and read the name out-loud. “Balter Folks…he doesn’t seem like a killer.” He lowered the picture to the table.

“He’s done initiation work for Vincent and Alice, both f*****g up.” the man shrugged, “But if he can do this big job, this is his shot at redemption.”

“Shot of redemption. Bold.” Zodiac tossed the picture into the fire and took a drag, “I’ll check him out.”