Souls Unfractured
A Hades Hangmen Novel
Tillie Cole
Copyright© Tillie Cole 2015 All rights reserved
Cover Design by Damonza at www.damonza.com
Formatted by Stephen J Jones
No Part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written consent from the publisher and author, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be uploaded without the permission of the publisher and author, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is originally published.
This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, actual events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters and names are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
The publisher and author acknowledge the trademark status and trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned in this book.
Dedication
For Thessa, the original Flame Whore. You begged me for this story.
Your wish is my command.
CONTENTS PAGE
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Epilogue
Author’s Note
Souls Unfractured begins immediately after Heart Recaptured ends. To fully enjoy this novel, Book 1, It Ain’t Me, Babe, and Book 2, Heart Recaptured, should be read first.
As is the theme with the Hades Hangmen Series, Souls Unfractured features religious beliefs and practices that, although may seem extreme and shocking to many, are inspired by real ideologies from existing, or pre-existing Christian cults and sects. This novel also includes the growing, and very controversial practice of serpent handling and poison consumption in religious services. Again, this was inspired by the ideology of existing Christian sects. Some scenes have been exaggerated for the purpose of the story, especially in how the male protagonist, Flame, uniquely views the world, and in particular, these controversial practices.
I would also like to note that many people around the world exist in these particular sects and never abuse the doctrines or sermons preached. Many follow these sects peacefully, safely and devotedly just like any other faith. This novel explores the abuse of these practices only.
Please also be aware that Souls Unfractured contains scenes of severe sexual abuse, taboo topics, violence and sexual assault.
Glossary
(Not in alphabetical order)
The Order Terminology
The Order: Apocalyptic New Religious Movement. Beliefs based on selected Christian teachings, strongly believe the apocalypse is imminent. Previously led by Prophet David (declared himself to be a Prophet of God and a descendant of King David), the elders and the disciples. Succeeded by Prophet Cain (nephew of Prophet David).
The members live together in a secluded commune; based on traditional and modest living, polygamy and unorthodox religious practices. Believe the ‘outside world’ is sinful and evil. Have no contact with non-members.
Commune: Property owned by The Order and controlled by Prophet Cain. Segregated living community. Policed by disciples and elders and stocked with weapons in case of an outside world attack. Men and women kept in separate areas of the commune. The Cursed kept away from all men (except the elders) in their own private quarters. Land protected by a large perimeter fence.
New Zion: New Commune of The Order. Created after the previous commune was destroyed in the battle against The Hades Hangmen.
The Order’s Elders: Comprises four men: Gabriel (deceased), Moses (Deceased), Noah (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Charged with the day to day running of the commune. Second in Command to Prophet David (deceased). Responsible for schooling the Cursed.
New Zion Council Elders: Comprises three men: Brother Luke, Brother Isaiah (deceased), Brother Micah (deceased).
Prophet’s Hand: Position held by Judah, Cain’s twin brother.
Second in command to Prophet Cain. Shares in the running of New Zion and any religious, political or military decisions concerning The Order.
Prophet’s Advisor: Third in command to Prophet Cain. Position held by Brother Luke (former New Zion Council Member). Advises in religious, political and military matters. Works with Prophet’s Hand.
Disciple Guards: Male members of The Order. Tasked with the protection of the commune lands and the members of The Order.
Lords Sharing: Ritual sexual act performed between male and female members of The Order. Believed to help the male get steadily closer to the Lord. Performed in mass ceremonies. Narcotics often used for a transcendental experience. Females are forbidden from experiencing pleasure as punishment for carrying the original sin of Eve and must perform the act when required as part of their sisterly duties.
Awakened: Rite of Passage in The Order. On a girl’s eighth birthday, she is to be sexually ‘awakened’ by a commune member or, on special occasions, an Elder.
Sacred Circle: Religious practice exploring the notion of ‘free love’. Sexual intercourse and behavior with many partners in a public setting.
Sacred Sister: A chosen woman of The Order, tasked with leaving the commune to spread The Order’s message by sexual means.
The Cursed: Women/Girls in The Order deemed too naturally beautiful and inherently sinful. Live separately from the rest of commune. Seen as too tempting to men. The Cursed are believed to be significantly more likely to sway men from the righteous path.
Original Sin: Augustine Christian doctrine that says mankind is born sinful and have an innate urge to disobey God. Original Sin is the result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God when they ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. In The Order’s doctrines (created by Prophet David), Eve is blamed for tempting Adam to sin, thus sisters of The Order are seen as born seductresses and temptresses and must therefore obey men.
Sheol: Old Testament word meaning ‘the pit’ or ‘the grave’ or ‘the Underworld’. Place of the dead.
Glossolalia: Incomprehensible speech displayed by religious believers during an episode of religious ecstasy. Embracing the Holy Spirit.
Diaspora: The dispersion of people from their original homeland.
Hill of Perdition: Hill on the outskirts of the commune. Used for seclusions of New Zion’s inhabitants and for punishments.
Devil’s Men: Reference to the Hades Hangmen MC.
Hades Hangmen Terminology
Hades Hangmen: One-percenter Outlaw MC. Founded in Austin, Texas, 1969.
Hades: Lord of the Underworld in Greek mythology.
Mother Chapter: First branch of the club. Founding location.
One-percenter: The American Motorbike Association (AMA) were once rumored to have said that 99% of bikers were l
aw-abiding citizens. Bikers who do not abide by AMA rules name themselves ‘one-percenters’ (the remaining non law-abiding 1%). The vast majority of ‘one-percenters’ belong to Outlaw MC’s.
Cut: Leather vest worn by outlaw bikers. Adorned with patches and artwork displaying the club’s unique colors.
Patched in: When a new member is approved for full membership.
Church: Club meetings for full patch members. Led by President of the club.
Old Lady: Woman with wife status. Protected by her partner. Status held to be sacrosanct by club members.
Club Slut: A woman who comes to the clubhouse to engage in casual sexual acts with the club members.
Bitch: Woman in Biker culture. Term of endearment.
Gone/Going to Hades: Slang. Referring to the dying/dead.
Meeting/Gone/Going to the Boatman: Slang. Dying/dead. Referring to ‘Charon’ in Greek mythology. Charon was the ferryman of the dead, an underworld daimon (Spirit). Transported departed souls to Hades. The fee for the crossing over the rivers Styx and Acheron to Hades were coins placed on either the dead’s eyes or mouth at burial. Those who did not pay the fee were left to wander the shores of Styx for one hundred years.
Snow: Cocaine.
Ice: Crystal Meth
The Organizational Structure of Hades Hangmen
President (Prez): Leader of the club. Holder of the Gavel, which is symbolic of the absolute power that the President wields. The Gavel is used to keep order in Church. The word of the President is law within the club. He takes advice from senior club members. No one challenges the decisions of the President.
Vice President (VP): Second-in-Command. Executes the orders of the President. Principal communicator with other chapters of the club. Assumes all responsibilities and duties of the President in their absence.
Road Captain: Responsible for all club runs. Researches, plans and organizes club runs and ride outs. Ranking club officer, answering only to President or VP.
Sergeant-at-Arms: Responsible for club security, policing and keeping order at club events. Reports unseemly behavior to President and VP. Responsible for the safety and protection of the club, its members and its Prospects.
Treasurer: Keeps records of all income and expenses. Keeps records of all club patches and colors issued and taken away.
Secretary: Responsible for making and keeping all club records. Must notify members of emergency meetings.
Prospect: Probationary member of the MC. Goes on runs, but banned from attending Church.
“For fractured souls are like magnets.
Drawn to collide into an impossible bliss…”
Prologue
“Did you kill anyone else out here?”
I watched the little black-haired bitch—Mae’s sister—ask Prez if we’d slaughtered anyone else in this motherfucking cult hell.
Prez nodded his head.
“Where is he?” she demanded.
Prez didn’t respond, and my head twitched and my skin pricked as her green eyes narrowed.
“Please! I need to see him!” she shouted. Her pale face had gone bright red and her hands had begun to shake at her sides.
Prez pointed into the woods, and in no fucking time, she hightailed it into the trees. My jaw clenched and my hands fisted as I watched her go.
Viking leaned in, stopping just short of touching me. He knew not to fucking touch me. “You carved that fucker up Krueger style, didn’t you, brother?”
I stayed staring at the woods, catching the bitch’s dress disappear in the distance.
“Flame?” Viking pushed.
My teeth gritted, remembering piercing that fuck with my blades and I snarled. “I fucking hacked him up good. That bible pedo fucker deserved to die like that.”
“So that’ll be a yes. A huge fucking yes to the extreme makeover, Krueger edition.”
But I didn’t respond to Viking. Didn’t respond because the black-haired bitch was walking back out. And I watched her all the way. I counted her every step as she moved closer. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven…
I watched her chest rise and fall. She was breathing hard. She was fucking breathing so hard. Surely she wasn’t pissed that the disciple pedo was dead?
“Sister?” Mae ran over to her, but the little bitch’s green eyes were on Prez.
“Who killed him?” she asked, pushing past Mae. Her face moved from one brother to the next, looking each in the eyes.
And I stared. I stared and I twitched, and felt my blood begin to boil.
The fucker had deserved to die. I’d fucking got hard watching that fucker die. I’d watched the life leave his eyes. I’d watched his blood spill. And I’d motherfucking loved it.
Then the little bitch reached me. Her tiny frame stood below me and those huge green eyes looked right up into mine. “Was it you?” she asked.
My blood rushed faster through my body, and I nodded my head. “Yeah, I killed the fucker,” I spat.
I tensed, my muscles jumping, waiting for her to defend that cunt. To tell me I was evil, wrong and a killer—shit I already knew.
But before I could fucking think, a cry left her throat and she jumped forward and wrapped her arms around my waist. My heart fired in my chest like a fucking cannon and my hands fisted and rose into the air as her hands touched my skin.
I couldn’t be touched. I couldn’t be fucking touched. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, I started to count, waiting for the flames to hurt her. Waiting for the pain… eight, nine, ten, eleven… My eyes snapped down as I reached eleven, expecting to see her pain.
Eleven.
But she wasn’t hurt.
Eleven.
I’d gone past eleven.
The little bitch’s arms tightened around my waist and I looked down in shock. I saw her thick black hair. I saw her back rise and fall with her breaths.
“Thank you,” she whispered and pressed her cheek against my chest. “Thank you so very much.”
My lungs froze as she thanked me. But I didn’t understand. Like always. I didn’t fucking understand anything.
Why wasn’t she hurt from my touch?
Why was she fucking thanking me?
Then her arms tightened again, and I wanted to touch her back. I wanted to motherfucking touch her.
Heart still pumping from the rush of the kill, pulse slamming in my neck, I squeezed my eyes shut. Forcing my arms down, I took a deep breath, and pressed my hands to her back. As my hands touched the material of her dress, I sucked in a breath, feeling her body jump under my palms.
I almost pulled back, the feel of her in my arms fucking with my mind. But that was shot to hell when I felt wetness on my chest, on my skin, and the bitch, cried, “You freed me. You freed me from him.”
At those words my eyes snapped shut. My heart sprinted in my chest, but the flames in my blood, the heat in my blood, was calmed.
The flames never calmed.
They forever fucking burned.
But with her…
I wanted to grip her tighter.
I wanted to hold her closer, but then she dropped her arms and pulled away.
My hands clenched at my sides as I watched her go, then just before she reached her sisters, she looked back at me and asked, “What is your name?” Her voice was shaking, like she was scared. But her eyes never left mine. They fucking burned into mine, making my heart pound.
Then I thought of that question. My name…
“Flame,” I said, pushing my other name far from my fucking mind, the name I couldn’t stand.
I froze as she dipped her eyes and smiled. My fingernails dug into my palm, so I could fucking try and stay calm at that smile. “You have my eternal gratitude, Flame. I am forever in your debt.”
The air blew out from my mouth as she turned and walked away, but I couldn’t stop staring at her.
My eyes dropped to my hands and I stared at my palm. I’d touched her. I’d fucking touched her and I hadn’
t hurt her.
Then my stomach fell. Because the flames were still under my skin. I could feel them. And if I touched her again, I could hurt her.
“Fuck man, you alright?” AK stood in front of me blocking my path to the little black-haired bitch.
I held up my hands, palms up high. “I fucking touched her,” I whispered. “I fucking touched her.”
AK nodded. “I know, brother. You doing okay? You’re not gonna go psycho on her ass, right? No thoughts to slit her throat going through that head?”
Moving to the side, I looked over AK’s shoulder and asked, “What was her name? What the fuck did Mae say her name was?”
AK glanced back too and said, “Maddie, I think?” He took a deep breath. “Yeah, Maddie.”
Maddie, I thought, then whispered her name aloud on my lips. “Maddie…”
Within hours we returned to the compound and the brothers from out of state, along with most from our club, drank and fucked the night away. But I could only see Maddie. I could only see her in Styx’s apartment window where she’d taken up position. I didn’t drink, or smoke, instead I watched her sitting on the window ledge, watching me back.
I paced below her window until AK and Viking dragged me home to my cabin. But I couldn’t get her the fuck out of my mind. Kept seeing green eyes and long black hair in my head. Kept feeling her hands around my waist.