Page 72 of Deadly Little Games

The imposing wrought-iron gates tower above me, and my hand hesitates on the handle. This is the moment—once I step inside, a new chapter begins. A new era. And I’m fucking ready for this.

I steel myself, then cross the threshold into the graveyard.

Gage and Hazen are already waiting outside the famous arched entryway of the tomb of our great, great, great grandfathers, who created The Brotherhood. They look over us now and will be part of the initiation.

“Can you believe this day is finally here?” Hazen says as he heads through the archway, with Gage by his side and me following closely. As we move further into the tomb, the darkness becomes suffocating, wrapping around us like a thick blanket.

“It feels like I’ve waited my whole life for this moment,” Gage says, flicking his lighter and lighting the candles in the sconces one by one, so we can see where we are going.

“Just didn’t think it would be like this. With my father in jail and everything a mess,” Hazen says.

My phone rings, and I pull it out of my pocket, seeing Freya’s name.

“You okay?” I ask.

“Yeah, where’s the graveyard?” she asks in a hurry, and I give her the directions, then she hangs up without saying goodbye. I frown, shoving my phone back into my pocket. I hope she’s okay. It’s not tradition for people outside of our families to watch the initiation but fuck the rules, I want her by my side on the biggest moment of my life.

The tomb opens up into a large area, the air heavy with the scent of aged stone and candle wax. Rows and rows of headstones stretch out before me, each one a solemn reminder of the important members of The Brotherhood who rest here. Nestled in the middle, an imposing gravestone pays tribute to the legendary founding fathers: Nicolas Ledger, Herold Hendrix, and Julius Fox. The entire area is blanketed in moss, and three skulls are perched on top as if they are staring directly at us. Fucking creepy, but cool.

We carefully traverse the space and stop in front of the center gravestone. Gage drops some twigs and logs into the fire pit that lies in front of the skulls. With a flick of the fire starter, Hazen directs sparks onto the kindling and the fire takes hold, marking the start of the ceremony.

For years, we’ve immersed ourselves in the stories of the initiations, delving into the rich history of our ancestors and the sacred ritual. Now standing here, on the threshold of going through it, everything feels surreal.

The flames of the fire flicker and sway, casting eerie shadows on the walls of the tomb. I pull my hood up to cover my head as Gage takes out the branding iron and places it into the fire. I fist my hands to mask the tremor that runs through them. Fuck, this is really happening.

The sound of hushed voices precedes my parents’ arrival, then they enter the chamber and make their way over to us.

My mother pulls me in for a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispers into my ear.

She releases her grip, and my father shakes my hand, then he limps over to the gravestone.

“Welcome, sons, to your initiation,” my father yells, his voice echoing off the walls and it’s the strongest his voice has sounded in weeks. “It’s your time to take over the reins, to sacrifice yourselves to the founding fathers and rule over The Daring Brotherhood.”

He lets go of his walking stick, handing it off to Mom, then he places both hands on the gravestone and bows his head. He murmurs something that I can’t fully comprehend before approaching me and standing in front of me.

I lower my head, the hood concealing my face, and stretch out my hands. He takes them in his.

“Do you, Lucas Julius Fox, vow your life and the life of your brothers to The Daring Brotherhood until your dying breath?”

“I do,” I say without any hesitation.

I signed my life away to them when I was first initiated in all those years ago. This is my life, and nothing stands in the way of The Brotherhood. Freya’s face appears in my mind,and it kills me, but that applies to even her. She’s one of us, and I love her like I do my brothers, but they and The Brotherhood will always come first. I’ve signed away my heart, soul, and spirit. She has part of me, but not everything. It’s just the way it is. The Brotherhood is my life.

“Do you agree to lead The Daring Brotherhood in the path of justice and be the voice of our people?”

“I do.”

“So be it,” my father whispers, letting go of my hands.

I take off my hoodie and T-shirt, placing them next to me. My nipples harden as the cool air gently brushes against my skin. When my father steps aside, I am fully aware of the next move to make.

I carefully stand on the gravestone of our ancestors and lie on their skulls, feeling their sharp edges against my back, yet I remain still. The fire comes close to my legs but doesn’t quite touch them. The sound of metal hitting the fire pit is painfully loud in my ears. Beads of sweat trickle down my forehead and back, and the real pain hasn’t even started. Fuck.

With the branding iron in his hands, my father leans over me. Chanting softly, he gradually lowers it.

“Fathers of The Daring Brotherhood, open your arms and welcome in your new leader.” He pauses as the hot iron sears my stomach and I bite down hard on my molars, holding in the screams. The smell of burning flesh fills the air. “Lucas Julius Fox!” my father’s voice booms, and loud clapping and cheers fill the cavern.

“And so be it,” my father finishes, taking my hand. He helps me off the tombstone and brings me into his waiting arms. He allows our heads to rest together briefly, then withdraws.

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