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To get a business degree from a respected university and to open a restaurant in Atlanta with enough capital to make it through the first critical two years without fear of running out of money, plus enough to live on—
“Ten million dollars,” I finally finished on a gulp right as Dr. Nichols pulled out the speculum. “You can have me for ten million dollars, and I’ll obey whatever order I’m given. But that’s my price. Ten million.”
7
Montgomery
Perfection. Flawless.
Two words I used to describe how I functioned in life.
Two words that were both my strengths and my weaknesses. The need to achieve both at all times could cripple a weaker man, but I was far from weak. I knew that growing up with a silver spoon in my mouth would lead many to believe I had everything handed to me, when in fact, it was quite the opposite. My father made me earn everything.
Every single thing.
Even his love, and I had yet to do that.
I was not a spoiled rich boy who never had to work a day in his life. Even at the age of twenty-five I felt as if I had worked a lifetime.
Battle worn.
Seasoned.
Perfection. Flawless. My motto in life had gotten me far up until this point.
Although, as I stood in my tailor-made, all white tuxedo with a matching bow tie, I felt far from perfect and flawless. The pure white of my surroundings nearly suffocated me, and yet I felt soiled and marred with the tar of wrong doings of past, present and future.
The ballroom was white, the recruits who would soon have a ball of their own were also in white tuxedos. The only color in the room were the silver cloaks the Elders and members wore.
White and silver.
Ghostly in an elegant way.
“Are you ready to choose the unfortunate belle?” Sully asked as he walked up to where I stood and patted my back. “Blonde, brunette, or do you like the redheads?”
I didn’t respond. It sickened me the way Sully made it sound as if I were about to choose cattle for one of the ranches my family owned. I couldn’t let him get in my head. We were all gathered and ready, and it was just a matter of minutes before they would begin the ceremony.
“Want a drink?” Sully asked as he held up his whiskey straight. “I sure as hell would need it if I were in your shoes.”
I shook my head and glanced at the white, intricately carved grandfather clock that mastered the room. The hands of the face were golden sabers, adorned with tiny rubies. I’d loved that detail as a young boy, but tonight they seemed… deadly. “I’m good.”
“Leave the man alone,” Walker said as he walked up and stood next to Sully and me. “This shit is intense.” He looked at me closely, examining my face. “Are you doing all right? Anything you need?”
“A fucking drink is what the man needs,” Sully said as he finished off his own in one big swallow.
I disagreed. It was necessary for me to remain sober and on top of my game tonight. I had no idea what to truly expect. I had a pretty good idea of the basics since much of the ceremony and Initiation tasks were spelled out in the Order’s law book. But I wasn’t so naive as to believe I was prepared for what would come, not only tonight, but for the next 109 days.
I don’t think anyone could be prepared for The Order of the Silver Ghost. The inherited malice of the ceremony felt like a noose around my neck, but regardless… it was about to occur whether I was ready or not.
The clock struck midnight, and if it weren’t for the loud hammer strike of twelve chimes echoing through the room to notify us of that fact, the Elders and their canes were sure to. With each peal of the hour, the canes beat in cadence against the white floor.
“Bring in the belles,” one of the Elders demanded after the twelfth punch of his cane.
The recruits lined up with me in the center of the room. We stood at attention and waited. I wondered if the others were holding their breaths as I was or if that would come on their night. Maybe they were grateful it was me and not them.
I actually wished I wasn’t the first of my group so I at least could see what to expect. But at the same time, knowing could be worse than going in blind. There was a reason people turned to stone when they actually looked at Medusa. Don’t ever stare evil straight on.
Stay blind.
The room was silent until the sound of heels—delicate, timid—broke the asphyxiating anticipation.
Twenty young women.
I didn’t know this because I was counting, but because The Order of the Silver Ghost deemed the number centuries ago.
