Pain shot through Shaney’s shoulder, but that was like a paper cut compared to the agony wrought by that damned energy. Hudson released his other wrist and rubbed at Shaney’s shoulders. A groan of appreciation escaped Shaney’s lips.
Shaney turned his head toward Todd. “Told you...I...wasn’t going anywhere.” Shaney pulled up the corners of his mouth.
Todd’s attempt to smile failed. A momentary longing crossed Todd’s face as he watched Hudson cup Shaney’s cheeks and lean forward.
“You scared about ten years off my life—again.” The shaking in Hudson’s voice was undeniable.
“Sorry.” And Shaney was, but he also was the one who had to endure this crap. Hudson was still on his shit list. “Tired.” Shaney yawned, punctuating the statement. His lids felt as if they were made of concrete.
“Go to sleep. I’ll stay right here.” Hudson’s soothing voice helped to relax Shaney and lull him further toward slumber. Such a sweet voice, a voice Shaney could never tire of in a million years. Too bad Hudson had to go and mess everything up. Shaney needed answers from Hudson and every other person hovering in that room—well, except for Maximus. Shaney could always ask him why he was such a prick, but decided that would just get him killed. As for everyone else, they were going to pony up some answers, and then, Shaney was going to evict the fucking energy from his body with or without their help.
Chapter Eighteen
When Shaney awoke, Hudson was dozing in a chair beside the bed. Sunlight filtered into the dull, smelly room. The ugly black symbols on his chest had once again disappeared, leaving red, chaffed skin across his chest. Had Caleb succeeded this time? Could it be true? Well, no symbols and no energy, so he must have accomplished what had seemed to be impossible. Shaney sighed in relief. His old fucked up life was back, and he could leave this craziness behind. So where was the happiness he should have been rolling in? It was probably with the answer to the question foremost in his mind: Did leaving the craziness behind now also mean leaving Hudson behind as well?
Shaney swung his legs over the bed and rested his elbows on his knees. Hudson was slumped back in the uncomfortable chair, his head lolled to one side, his cheek resting on his shoulder. His face was beautifully relaxed. Shaney imagined waking up to that vision every morning. But just because the man had called him ‘baby’ didn’t mean he wanted Shaney. Many men had called Shaney ‘honey’ and ‘sweetie’ for a night, and the endearments had meant nothing. ‘Baby’ though…that was a new one. And it had meant something to Shaney, if not to Hudson. In this case, Shaney was sure he had imprinted on Hudson like a baby bird, and now, for reasons unknown, Hudson felt responsible for his safety. That was all.
Shaney slid silently from the bed. His bladder was two seconds from exploding, and his stomach had rolled itself into a pathetic ball of hunger. Heading into the living room, Shaney found Todd asleep on the rust-colored couch, snoring like a three-hundred-pound man. There was no sign of Caleb, Maximus, or—go figure—Mr. Anderson. The Antichrist might actually be trying to help him. How did Mr. Anderson even know Caleb? So many questions.
Shaney relieved himself and, going back into the kitchen, he found a box of donuts. He wolfed down three of the powdered ones and started guzzling from a carton of milk.
“Help yourself.”
Speak of the devil. Shaney choked on the milk and lowered the carton. Little, commanding, foul-mouthed Caleb leaned against the counter. Another Polo shirt, this one blue, and a duplicate pair of khakis. Shaney had a newfound respect for the purported scientist.
“Thanks,” Shaney mumbled, stuffing the carton back into the fridge. “So I’m guessing you’re not the sadistic killer I had you pegged to be.”
The corner of Caleb’s mouth twitched. “I’ve been called sadistic many times. Killer, no. I truly am trying to help you.”
Shaney cocked his head. “Why?”
“Because if anyone fits the roll of sadistic killer, it’s Silas,” Caleb said without blinking.
“Man’s a whack job. He said that he was my father. Said that he had created me and that Hudson’s grandfather had something to do with it, too. With everything going on, I thought I’d believe anything, but the man passed ‘go’ a long time ago.” Shaney shook his head.
Caleb remained silent, but the hesitant look on his face told Shaney he wanted to say more.
Shaney wiped the white powder on his fingers from the donuts onto his jeans. “How do you know my probe officer anyway?”
Caleb raised an eyebrow at the title, but said nothing. “Dan practices certain branches of the occult and has an interest in Sacred Geometry. I’ve known him for about five years. In fact, he is one of the people who contacted me about the odd energy occurrences in the area.”