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I look at each of them standing there with their chins raised in their air like they're in charge of the fucking world and their eyes on the men—I'm assuming—behind us.
I knew Gravestone was a weird place, but this right now is going beyond anything I ever could have imagined.
"Welcome to tonight's Initium. We have two offerings for initiation tonight. Gentlemen, I present you with Bexley Easton and Alexander Rexford.
Alexander Rexford…
Did he know about all of this, or is he as clueless as I am right now?
I don't know why I'm asking myself this as we're encouraged to turn around. His wide eyes and pale face say it all.
The second I look up from the stone floor at my feet, I lock eyes with the one person I want nothing to do with.
Cade fucking Kingsley.
He stands there in the front row with his crew on either side of him, his hood over his head and a smirk playing on his lips.
He knew about this. Whatever the fuck this is. That motherfucker knew.
"Tonight, on the dawn of a new moon, begins the initiation process. Over the next two weeks, the initium will be tested.” Phillip Cargill’s voice echoes through the chamber. “The status of Electi, though a birthright, must be earned. Upon successful completion of the Initium, on the night of the full moon, you will be anointed as Electi and take up your rightful place in society.
"Initium Easton, initium Rexford, please take a step forward." Every set of eyes before us watches as we both do as we're told.
"Electi," he barks, and Cade, Tim, Channing, and Brandon stand and take a step toward us. Amusement dances in Cade's eyes, and I swallow down my apprehension and hold his stare.
"Disrobe." The voice booms from behind us, and to begin with I don't think it can possibly be directed at us. That is, until Cade's brow rises as if his patience is running out. "You heard him. Disrobe."
"Uh…" I glance over at Alex and watch in horror as he does as demanded of him. The black fabric pools on the floor at his feet, leaving him totally naked.
"Easton," someone growls quietly.
Realizing I don't have much choice, I follow orders and allow the fabric to fall from my shoulders.
I regret it the second Cade moves and the reflection of the candlelight flashes in the blade I now realize he's holding.
My stomach twists with uncertainty.
“Please stand for the blood oath.”
One of the men behind us begins chanting something in another language I don't understand before the rest of the men start repeating certain words back to him.
Marcus steps up to me once more, and, when I look down, I find him holding that small glass vial that was inside the box.
Holy shit.
Blood oath.
They're not joking.
I look to my left, and my eyes collide with Alex's at exactly the same time Cade steps up to me, the point of his knife pressing against my upper thigh.
"Sanguis." The knife presses into my skin. "Imperium." He drags it across my thigh, pain burning through me. "Electi." Warmth begins to trickle down my leg before Marcus drops to his knee and collects some in the little bottle before twisting the top closed and passing it back to one of the men behind me.
Cade takes a step back, an accomplished smile on his face.
What just happened might be some kind of fucked-up ritual…
But he's going to fucking pay for that.
