Page 103 of Bride By Initiation

Something cold hits my hand, and it's an instant relief. I refocus onthe burned spot. The second man applies more balm to my brand and then wraps it in plastic.

The man who gave me the wood says, "You can relax now. You look like you're going to break your teeth." He releases his grip on my forearm.

I spit the wood next to me.

"Good job," Zara praises.

I stare at her, feeling semi-crazy, wondering how she can be so calm when she's about to have this done to her neck. I turn to Kirill. "Brand me on my neck instead of Zara."

He jerks his head backward.

Valentina's amused laugh fills the air.

I growl, "What's so funny?"

"You can't take another member's mark," she claims.

"Why not? She's my wife," I remind her.

She shrugs. "So what? That doesn't negate her duty to The Underworld or eliminate her obligation to fulfill initiation. Or allow you to steal her earned right to wear the skull."

"It does if I'm taking it for her," I declare.

Kirill warns, "Keep talking like that, Sean. We'll brand you in your neck, and Zara will still get hers."

"Listen—"

"Shut up, Sean," Zara interjects.

I snap my head toward her.

Her eyes turn to slits. "Don't say another word."

I open my mouth, and she puts her hand over it, threatening, "Enough."

Your ass, my hand, little brat.

She rises. "I'm ready."

Valentina puts her arm around Zara's shoulder. "Come with me, darling."

"Now she's your darling?" I mutter.

Valentina turns and says, "Zara and I hold no harsh feelings toward the other, do we?"

"No," Zara replies, raising her chin and pinning me with a challenging stare.

Confusion fills me.

Valentina laughs. "It's okay. Lots of men don't understand the sisterhood. Come on, darling. It won't hurt too long." She leads Zara back toward the bed.

I rush after them, and the other men follow.

"Zara—"

"I need you to lie on top of me, Sean," she says.

I freeze.

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