Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 115933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
I made my way down the steps toward my Harley at the front, Ky following behind. Every brother slapped me on my shoulder in support. They all had my back.
Swinging a leg over my Harley, I took a deep breath. I held up my hand and pointed forward, signaling it was time to burn up road…
…A pair of wolf eyes spurring me on.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mae
“The guard will be right outside. Do not even think of leaving this room. Am I clear, Salome?” Sister Eve glared at me, her milky eyes stern with reprimand.
I nodded meekly. She left the room, seeming quite impressed at my show of compliance.
I stood in front of the mirror and stared at my reflection.
Déjà vu.
A floor-length sleeveless white dress. Hair down in soft curls, sections along the top of my crown pinned back by a flower garland. The smell of vanilla oil on my completely-waxed skin—but did they make a happy bride-to-be? Not at all. What I wanted to do was cry.
The padding of feet sounded outside the door and, as I turned the handle, Lilah and Maddie were already sneaking inside.
“Be quick,” I whispered, checking the hallway was clear of guards. My sisters ran inside and I shut the door as quietly as I could.
“Oh, Mae. You look beautiful,” Lilah whispered, as I ushered them onto my bed. Water began to fill my eyes.
“Mae, do not cry,” Maddie begged, reaching for my hand.
“I cannot marry him. I have not even spoken to him. He is old and decrepit.” My hand flew to my mouth as I choked on a sob. “They will force me to join with him. I… I cannot do it. I love Styx. I will not betray him! What am I to do?”
My sisters were sympathetic to my plight.
“There is nothing to do, Mae,” Lilah said apologetically. “You are back now. They will never let you go. You must do as they command.”
Something within me shattered with the realization. A part of me died.
I looked up and stared out of the tiny window at the setting sun. “How long do I have?” I questioned.
“Ten minutes,” Maddie whispered.
I nodded numbly. “Will you be taking me to the altar?”
“No,” Lilah answered.
I faced my sisters. “Why not?” I asked, confused.
Maddie shrugged. “We were told by Sister Eve to wait here until they come for you. We were told we will not be attending the ceremony, that we are still shunned. Banned from public events.”
I sucked in a breath through pursed lips. My Lord, I will have to go through with this hellish act alone.
Nothing was said for the full ten minutes. What was there to say?
The three of us sat in complete silence as I awaited my fate. For the full ten minutes, I thought of nothing but Styx. I wondered what he was doing right now. I wondered what they had done to him when I had been drugged. My Lord… what if they had—no! I could not think of such a thing. I focused on remembering his ruggedly handsome face, his unshaven cheeks, rough under my touch, his deep dimples that shone when he smiled, his full lips so soft when caressing me and his large hazel eyes the color of Fall.
I will see him again one day.
I felt it in my heart.
I reached forward, taking Lilah’s and Maddie’s hands. “I love you, my sisters, no matter what happens, okay?”
They both frowned and Maddie flinched. “What do you mean?”
I resolved not to stay married to Prophet David. I could not join with him, under any circumstance. I also knew what would await me if I refused. I was prepared to face any consequences.
I pulled Maddie in for an embrace. “Be strong, sister. Keep strong,” I pleaded.
“Mae—”
Lilah was interrupted as my bedroom door opened… Gabriel. Gabriel in his white ceremonial garments.
He ogled me as I sat on the bed and I shuddered as he smiled. “My, my, Salome, you look exactly like Jezebel sat there.”
My heart sank and my fingers grasped the bed sheets for security. “Do not talk of her ever again! You killed Bella. You are a murderer, Gabriel. You will burn in hell for your crimes.”
His smile faltered. “I did the world a service, ridding it of her darkness. She was a whore, a temptress of the highest form. She deserved to die. She was too disobedient to be broken into the righteous path.”
My fists clenched. “Why? Because she refused to love you? You made her a whore, kept her—us—locked up in this… prison. We are toys for you and the other elders to have your wicked way with… for your own entertainment! You raped us over and over and over again! And you took poor Bella, whipped her until she could not move. You left her to die from her injuries, bleeding out on a dirty cell floor! You bastard!”
Gabriel stormed forward and grabbed me roughly in his arms. I heard Maddie and Lilah whimper from behind me.
“It is the Lord’s way. It is what was revealed to Prophet David through his writings.”
I locked my gaze with Gabriel’s. “Bullshit! If you believe that, you are a fool! This whole setup, the teachings, the rituals, is all for the enjoyment of men. I read the real Bible when I was out there, the one not doctored to suit The Order’s purpose. I read about what normal people on the outside believe… and it is nothing like this!”
Gabriel went wide-eyed, completely shocked. He recovered to state, “Well, the outside world has surely corrupted you.” He leaned in close. “Must have been all those hours you spent under that mute devil worshipper.”
My eyes burned with rage. I lifted my hand and set to strike it across his face, but Gabriel seized me by my wrist. “I will enjoy breaking you back into our ways. Now Bella has gone, I have been needing a new project.”
Gabriel grasped the tops of my arms and abruptly spun me around to face my sisters. “Guards!” Gabriel yelled.
Two disciples entered the room and made a beeline for Lilah and Maddie. Maddie scrambled to get away, but a disciple grabbed her by the hair. She froze, pure terror gripped her.