Dance For The Devil by S. Kodejs

chanting. “The punishment you just witnessed is both unfortunate and unusual. Rarely must we employ the ultimate discipline.”
    Goat-man reached forward and procured a goblet, indicating they must drink. Amy took her turn, grimacing. It tasted like piss. She kept her hand steady on his penis, too afraid to remove it. “Our rules are few,” Goat-man continued. “Man’s true nature is one of lust and wilfulness. Like our brother the lion, we are kings of the jungle! We embrace hedonism. We welcome pride, indulgence, gratification...” He gestured at his swollen penis. “We celebrate our flesh! We have superior intellect. We are Gods! Vengeance is ours and we curse those who threaten to take it away.” A cheer swept the room, the chanting started anew, with increased vigor. Amy felt dizzy, felt herself sway.
    “You belong to us now, and that makes you more than mortal. Human laws no longer apply. Feel the freedom to do as you wish, whenever you wish, with whomever you wish. Your only allegiance is with Seth, and to him you must remain true or suffer the consequences. Do you agree?”
    Mesmerized, Amy found herself nodding. Pretty potent piss, she thought idly.
    Goat-man flashed a razor blade, and with snake-like precision, deftly carved a star into her arm. No, not a star, exactly. Looked like a star, only different. She felt no pain a nd watched in amazement as thin streaks of blood beaded up. Goat-man let her go abruptly, turning his attention to the other two, performing the same star-like incision. Only then did he dismiss them. The meeting was apparently over, and everyone rushed forward, clapping them on their backs. Jason was there, pushing her away from the others, and when they had made enough distance from the throng, he swept her into his arms and kissed her deeply. Then he withdrew a small pocket knife from under his robe and deftly sliced an incision on the underside of his wrist. Although the wound was shallow, the blood ran freely. Jason took Amy’s arm and pressed his cut against hers, allowing their blood to mix. “Now you’re one of us, Amy, and a part of me. See? We’re joined by blood.” He kissed her again. “I’m so happy now you’re truly mine. Oh, Amy, I love you so much.”
    **
    “Hi, Dad.”
    “Hey, Skeet. How’s it going, buddy?”
    “Carmen made some chocolate chip cookies. Want some?”
    “Yeah, buddy, I do. Thanks.”
    “How come you’re home so early? Are you sick?”
    “No, not exactly, S on.”
    “Oh. Fight with your boss?”
    Jake squinted at his son. It always amazed him how perceptive kids were. “Sort of.”
    “Did you punch him in the nose?”
    “No. Grownups try to resolve problems without resorting to physical violence.”
    “Oh.” They munched cookies for a few moments in silence.
    “I’ll tell you a secret. I felt like punching him.”
    Skeeter smiled. “It’s tough being an adult, isn’t it?”
    Jake sighed. “Yeah, Son, it is.”
    “Feel like talking about it? Sometimes that helps me.”
    “Oh, and when did you get so wise?”
    “I learned it from this old guy I know. You.”
    “Ha ha, smarty pants. Well, it’s like this. I made a new game and my boss changed it, behind my back. He thinks his version is better.”
    “Is it?”
    “Maybe. It’ll probably sell better. But I think he ruined it.”
    “What did he do?”
    “He added a bunch of fighting stuff to it, and I was trying to make it different from all the other fighting games. I was trying to make it special. Plus, it makes me angry that he did it on the sly. I think he should have been more up front.”
    Skeeter thought for a moment. “Keep your next idea secret. Don’t let him see until it’s finished.”
    “Hmmm.” Jake reached for another cookie. “Not a bad idea. But he’s the boss – he’s supposed to see my work.”
    “Keep part secret and show him the other stuff.”
    “Think so?”
    “Yeah. Dad? Are you going to quit?”
    “No, probably not. Quitting’s no way