Where the Devil Says Goodnight (Folk Lore #1) - K.A. Merikan Page 0,77
dad.”
“I’m not gonna tell on him. Not that I particularly like Nowak.” Adam wouldn’t glance Emil’s way though and sped up, heading straight for the diagonal wall that now blew ice into Emil’s face.
He wanted to say it was late, that they had a long way home, but the words wouldn’t leave his mouth in the face of Adam’s confident strides. When torchlight slithered over the sharp stones, he expected to see bugs, maybe a lizard skittering away from the intruders, but the glow stole farther, revealing a narrow passage into the cliff.
Emil swallowed, trying to ignore the goosebumps erupting all over his body in response to the unnatural cold of the cavity. “We’ve hooked up on and off for a while now. It’s not like he’s my boyfriend,” he felt compelled to communicate this without beating around the bush, even though he knew Adam had told him in no uncertain terms that he wasn’t interested in breaking his vows.
“It’s none of my business. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked,” Adam said, touching the rocks at the entryway into the passage as an excuse to not look at Emil.
Emil ignored the unease that had bothered him since he’d laid his eyes on this very wall. The crack was only visible from up close, at a specific angle, but he supposed an average person might be able to get in there. If they were brave enough.
“It’s okay. He’s my best friend, I guess. I was never particularly close to anyone my age here in Dybukowo. I met other alternative kids once I started high school, but the school was far away and I could only spend so much time with them. Besides, many of those I got close to moved somewhere else since, so we lost touch. Now that Radek’s left for Cracow… It will be the same with him. People who leave Dybukowo visit less and less until they forget about their past and move on.”
“Didn’t he invite you to stay with him?” Adam asked, grabbing Emil’s forearm and directing it so more light could penetrate into the darkness of the passage.
“I’ve got no money, I’ve never held down a job, and on top of all that, I’ve got Jinx to think of, and I’m beginning to realize I will never leave this godforsaken village. That’s just the reality of it.” Saying it out loud made Emil’s heart heavy. There was a finality to admitting to someone how much of a failure he was.
The torch cast a warm glow on Adam’s face. Handsome, with eyes like jewels, it was in such stark contrast with the somber cassock, the thick, black fabric seemed like a trap, an anchor to keep him from rising off the ground. “Hope is hard to come by sometimes,” he said and gave Emil’s free hand a squeeze.
Emil’s throat tightened. “I must sound so miserable to you, but I’m not like this all the time. And I do love this forest. I love my house. I love living next to a stream and going on horse rides. It’s just that… sometimes I feel trapped, you know?” He and Adam had led such completely different lives, but what made them similar would be enough for Adam to understand where he was coming from. The night they’d spent together felt special, and he didn’t want to hide behind a mask any longer. “But I turn thirty tonight. I don’t know how yet, but I will turn over a new leaf.”
Adam’s mouth twitched, and he let go of Emil before digging into the pocket of his cassock. “Maybe this can bring you some luck,’ he said and unfolded a delicate golden chain necklace with a tiny cross pendant.
“Is this to save my sinful soul?” Emil asked with a smirk, but wrapped his hair around his hand and pulled it up, exposing his neck.
“I know you’re not religious, but I am. And I will pray so the tide turns for you,” Adam said as he stepped closer. Hesitation passed over his features, but he eventually reached behind Emil’s neck to fasten the necklace. The dainty chain of metal links was warm from Adam’s body heat when it brushed Emil’s skin, but neither of them said anything until Adam leaned back and put his hands in his pockets. “Happy birthday.”
The urge to kiss him was so violent he took a step back to create more distance between them. “Thank you. I’m sure it will bring me good fortune.” Sparks flew off his skin