Page 156 of Eternal Obsession

Great. Another cryptic message.

I headed out.

Chapter Sixty-Two

ORPHEUS

Eager to finish what I started, I checked to see that all was in place.

The towering pillars of Stonehenge offered up their silent prayers to the night. The moon’s radiance reflected off their formidable shafts. The last time she had been here, Ingrid had gazed down at the very stone she now lay upon. Now she was the victim. I had brought her here, carried her through the air, tied and bound her.

Ingrid was terrified as she glimpsed the two uniformed figures slumped over, laying to her left at the base of one of the stones. She arched her neck, attempting to look behind her. Another female was tied to one of the pillars. The female, whom she judged to be no older than twenty, stood upright and was eerily calm, her long golden ringlets falling over her face.

Alex tugged at my shirt. “Let her go, please. Catherine has remained loyal.”

“Shut up, Alex, you’re distracting,” I commanded and tightened Ingrid’s straps.

“Let’s talk about this,” Ingrid said.

“It won’t be long now. Just be patient.”

She pulled on her restraints. “My guards are coming right now.”

I pointed to the dead policemen. “Those were your guards.” I turned to my consorts. “Remove these corpses. When the ceremony is over, I’ll need you again, but not until then.”

My men complied.

I checked Catherine’s bindings. “Catherine, all this time that you spent with me and you were never mine. Denounce him. Choose me and I’ll let you go.”

Catherine turned her head away, giving her answer.

“So predictable.” I approached Ingrid. My hand moved over her face, pushing her hair back. I readjusted her clothing, straightening out the cuffs of her sleeves. “I will bestow upon you the gift of immortality.” I kissed her forehead. “Alex, it’s time,” I said.

“Time for what?”

“Novice, prove your loyalty,” I said.

Alex froze, gathering his thoughts. He flew toward me and pushed me backward, striking me against the large stone. Baring his teeth, Alex bit hard.

“You have made your decision then?” I grasped Alex’s hair, using it as a lever to pull him away. “Have you not learned by now that I am all-powerful?”

I forced Alex against the stone. I wiped his tears. “So now you have forced my hand. A decision is to be made. I will let Catherine go after Ingrid is transformed.”

“No!” he said.

“So when you are ready, you may begin.”

“Begin what?” Alex said.

“Do I have to lay it out for you? I have no intention of turning Ingrid.”

Alex shrunk back, realizing. “I will not.”

I reached out for his arm and shoved him toward Ingrid.

Alex gazed at her. “Ingrid, I won’t let him hurt you . . .”

“Less talk, more action,” I said.