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“I’m not a virgin,” I blurted out.
A predatory grin spread across Draven’s face. He came forward, invading my space until we were nearly chest to chest, my back planted against the wall. I turned my head as a weak act of defiance. A gentle grip on my jaw corrected me, and with one neatly manicured finger, he lifted my chin so that I was forced to look into his eyes.
He leaned down as if to kiss me, trapping the air in my lungs.
“Tell me that lie again when I make your pussy bleed.”
“Why me?”
He sighed and brushed his lips over mine, forcing me to accept the feathered kiss. “It’s a shame your father was such a failure. You should have been raised within the society and taught the basic doctrine.”
“What?”
“Don’t look so surprised. I’ve waited a long time for you. I know this feeling isn’t one-sided.”
“I don—.”
“Shh,” he hushed me, brushing his soft lips over mine once again. “No lies. I don’t want to punish you, yet.” At my silence, he drew back with a soft chuckle. “You’re already such a good girl, you’ll do very well on the Isle.”
I didn’t have any idea what the hell he was talking about. Societies and doctrines—an isle.
Gathering the small bit of nerves, I had left, I straightened my spine and stared him down.
“Where are my friends and sister? Have you hurt them?”
Another grin twisted his gorgeous features, this one screaming of sinister intent. “Your friends are fine for now. They’ll be joining us for the festivities.”
“For now?”
With a devilish gleam in his eyes, he lowered his mask down and began walking towards the door, tossing over his shoulder before I was shut in again, “Eat. Remember You’ll need your strength.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
I believed that we could shape our destinies no matter the obstacles that presented themselves along our path. Life was about calculation and willpower, a simple formula that could place the world in the palm of your hand if you desired it.
I didn’t desire such a thing.
I was going to create a new one. Those beneath me and my people could have this rotting, pitiful excuse of a domain. I’d worked tirelessly to get where I was today and had no hard feelings about leaving it behind.
To many who were unfamiliar with who I was, I came off as a wealthy man who had a metaphorical silver spoon shoved up my ass. That assessment wouldn’t be completely wrong. My parents gave me all I could ever want, and then some. What they didn’t do, was solve my problems for me.
When I was seventeen my father, grandfather, and uncle sat me down and told me I would be taking over the Rothwell the minute I came of age. From that moment on I had to maneuver my way through the ranks of a belief system the Alistair and adjoining families had spent years twisting for their own benefit.
My father told our sect that I was the new patriarch, the leader, so to speak. The person they would unquestionably follow so he could step back. It was up to me to first earn their loyalty and respect and then keep it. No one could do something like that for me.
It was much easier than I thought to accomplish the task. I learned it was best to hold power with terror and charisma. Make those who looked to you for guidance both fear and worship you like a fucking god. Make them love you too damn much to hate you, no matter the terrible things you did.
I’d used this combination to get everything I wanted. I showed people I was relatable, but also not one to be fucked with. That all seemed ages ago now. I’d come a long way from who I’d been at seventeen.
There was a specific vision my closest confidants and I saw for the future of our clandestine society. As I wandered an empty hall of the Rothwell, I knew I would see it come to fruition. There were still a few last-minute details to handle before we could relocate to the Isle, tonight’s ceremony the most important.
I needed my future wife to be mine before she stepped foot on our new land.
Had my late uncle—her father—done what was necessary she would have been eagerly looking forward to this instead of being terrified by the unknown. He’d gotten his wife killed and then himself for being such a weak link, unable to maintain control of his household.
Passing by another door, I heard a male groaning from within and shook my head. Aside from my Della, this was such a disappointing bunch of flesh. At the end of the hall, Corbin and Kyle waited for me dressed similar to I was, their masks the only thing different. Only those on my level wore something other than the black or red metal coverings.
