Curiosity Killed Shaney(80)

Silas shook his head. “Such an ungrateful child, but, soon enough, you will know what it means to serve your father. Soon we will be joined, as if we were one, and your powers will be mine.”

That scrunched up Shaney’s face, as if he’d just eaten a lemon. “Sounds a bit incestuous. I’m sure my brother, Dan, would enjoy something like that, what with being the Antichrist and all.”

Dan lowered his head and hunched in on himself. Where was Mr. Attitude? God, he was like an abused puppy.

“Antichrist?” Silas guffawed. “Not even close. He’s a sniveling, whining nobody. I’m ashamed to call him my son. Unlike you, Shaney.”

Shaney watched the stillness in Dan’s body. Not one flinch from the harsh words. Just an eerie calm. Scream at him. Tell him to shut up. Tell him he’s wrong. Cry. Do something, Shaney thought, and then wondered why he even cared.

Because he hated to see people bullied and put down and picked on.

“He always was your favorite.” While Mr. Anderson’s lips had barely moved, but Shaney was sure the words had come from him. Silas either hadn’t heard or was choosing to ignore his son.

“Dan, bring me the scroll so I can get this started. Soon, Shaney, we’ll share your power. It will be marvelous. Daniel,” Silas commanded again to get his attention.

Dan’s head popped up, and he narrowed his eyes at his father. He then turned to a small table and picked up a book, the cover discolored, dirty and torn, and possibly scorched in places. Looked like Shaney’s biology book after that Bunsen burner incident in lab during ninth grade. It had taken two months for Shaney’s eyebrows to grow back.

Dan turned with the book in hand. Staring at the cover, he walked slowly toward Silas’ circle. The war brewing on his face was tumultuous. The man was dealing with something big. Well, when your father was the world’s biggest douche bag, you were bound to have issues. Shaney snorted at the thought. Silas may be his biological father, in a way, but his real dad had been wonderful.

“Daniel, give me the book,” Silas growled.

Dan shook his head. “Stop telling me what to do.”

Shaney cocked his head at Dan, seeing something behind the hard mask. Dan moved toward Shaney instead.

“Daniel John Anderson Friedmont, you will bring that book to me immediately.” God, he was talking to Dan as if he were five. Silas growled and stomped forward, then stopped short, realizing he couldn’t leave his circle. The angry energy sloughing off Silas filled the circle and surrounded Shaney like a cold draft and he shuddered. All he could think was ewww.

“You always were a loser, Daniel. Cassie, get me the book.”

Obediently, Cassie moved around the circle toward Dan. Shaney reached his hand out and Todd grasped it. In the palm of his other hand, Shaney quickly reproduced a blue ball of energy and threw the orb in Cassie’s path. Splinters of wood flew into the air and produced a small hole in the floor.

“Stop,” he warned her. Eyes wide, Cassie froze. “Anyone goes near him and I won’t miss next time,” Shaney warned. This was his party. Time he took charge.

Silas sighed. “Another Protector? Your handiwork I assume, Caleb. Doesn’t matter. There’s no way to stop this, Shaney. I will bind your powers to me. This situation is inescapable. And don’t forget your boyfriend here. I won’t hesitate to throw a jolt of energy, which will stop his heart permanently.”

Shaney wasn’t so sure about that. “Whatever you do will hurt you and me as well, so I’m assuming you can’t actually do anything.” He turned a slightly sympathetic look to Dan. “I’d hate me, too. I’m sure you were relieved to find out I was such a fuck up. I could blame you for making my life a living hell as my probe—I mean—probation officer, but I’m capable of doing that all by myself.”

Dan nodded. “That you are, but it doesn’t matter. Nothing I did was ever good enough for dear old dad. My mom, she died of a broken heart because of Silas. I told her he wasn’t worth it, that he was evil, but she didn’t listen.”

“Your mother was a whore I picked up off the streets. You were the unfortunate result of that encounter. And since we’re talking about evil, why don’t you tell Shaney how you got him to Hudson’s cabin so he could step into my trap? Tell him you’re the one who called Hudson about a break-in and knew that Shaney would be with him. ”

Todd’s grip tightened around Shaney’s and a small ‘no’ fell from his lips. Shaney patted his hand and Todd released him. Shaney focused on Dan.

Dan’s fingers were wrapped tight around the edges of the book. “Stop! My mother wasn’t a whore. You used her and then threw her away when you were done. You fucking bastard.” To Shaney he said, “I know I wasn’t nice to you, but I was jealous. You had the love of a man you didn’t even know. I warned Caleb about the cabin so he could protect you. I should have known you’d go back. I tried to keep you safe from Silas. Gave him false reports. Didn’t tell him you were showing signs of your power.”