You will be cleansed by the light of the moon. The Warden has proclaimed it. I’ve been given the honor of leading you in the ritual to purify your body, your mind, and your soul. It will only be me, dear one, and another chosen attendant. No one else–certainly no males.
No males means no guards. Liora is making it clear that the purification ritual is our best time to break in and sneak her and Oriana out. She isn’t saying anything directly, but that’s wise because she and the acolytes are probably being watched.
And then what?
the unidentified speaker asks. Noah thinks it’s his sister, Oriana, but there’s no way to be sure.
Then you will be pure and ready for the Alpha Rites. Do not be afraid. Fate will guide us.
There are a few more passages of the unidentified speaker sharing their fears.
I don’t want to be chosen.
Liora shushes them.
It is an honor to be chosen
she proclaims. It’s in stark contrast to the way she begged me to help free her daughter when she visited me in the tower, which makes me think she’s definitely putting on a show for the guards.
But do not worry. Fate will reveal your path at the time of purification.
I use the computer to type to Noah.
That’s our chance.
If we can get past the guards, we can get Liora and Oriana out.
Noah erases what I’ve written and types,
When?
I bite my lip and type:
Tonight
It has to be tonight. Do we tell Brick?
Noah shakes his head.
The door swings open, and I jump back from the computer as Madi walks in. “Thank you for looking this over, Noah,” she murmurs while signing. “This project has been a challenge from the start.” She’s keeping it vague for the guards.
Noah quickly erases all traces of what we’ve done from her computer. “Glad I could help,” he says.
“Did you have enough time to review everything?”
All done, I sign. My gut is churning. Do we confide in Madi? Or will she take what we share and run straight to Brick? We can’t take the chance in case he decides to stop us.
I glance at Noah, but his face is blank.
Madi seems to understand. She inclines her head. “You’ve been invited to lunch with Brick and I. I will warn you–the Moon Co Bros will all be there.”
“Moon Co Bros?” I ask.
To my surprise, Noah grins. It’s good to see some of the tension leave his face. “That’s what we call Billy, Jake, Vance and Sully. Technically, I was a Moon Co Bro, too.” His smile slips a little.
“Once a Moon Co Bro, always a Moon Co Bro,” Madi says and signs cheerfully. “Although why you like hanging with those alphaholes, I’ll never understand.”
“You mated the head alphahole.”
