Page 133 of Bride By Initiation

She bats her eyes, beaming at me.

I point at the book. "What else does it say?"

She continues, "Memorize these laws. They are the rules that will guide you. They may not make sense initially, but every one is put forth to protect you and your loved ones. Each ensures your survival. Abiding by them will create peace throughout The Underworld and eventually outside it. Signed, Sean O'Malley, Founder."

I touch my father's signature, and the hairs on my arms rise, thinking about him holding this book and writing in it. I look away when emotions catch in my throat.

Zara puts her hand on my thigh. "Sean, are you okay?"

I take a deep breath and nod, admitting, "Yes, but this is hard sometimes. For so long, I buried so much of my father. I wanted to be him and remember him, but I also didn't want to, if that makes any sense."

Compassion fills her expression. She replies, "It does. Do you want to do this at a different time?"

I shake my head. "No. Keep reading."

She returns to the book, flipping the page, announcing, "There will always be 666 members who have a seat at the table. Revelation 13, with regard to 666: The mathematical results of "taking God's name in vain" and "changing times and laws" requires there are to be 666members at the table at all times unless an unstoppable imbalance occurs. Should it happen, it must be filled on the seventh moon."

Confused, I admit, "That sounds like a lot of gibberish to me. Mathematical results with a name, times, and laws? Makes my brain hurt."

She bites on her smile and shrugs. "I know. But that's what it symbolizes and what your dad wrote."

I rub my hand over my face then ask, "Okay, what about the seventh moon? Why does that matter?"

Zara doesn't answer right away, but then snaps her fingers. "Seven is another number like 666."

"It is?"

"Yes. In Genesis 1, seven represents a full and complete world. That would make sense."

I mutter, "Or bad luck."

"Or good luck," she offers.

Silence falls between us for a few moments.

Zara's lips twitch. "Was your dad into witchcraft?"

"Not that I'm aware of," I reply, but the uncomfortable feeling returns.

"Okay, well, the seventh moon it is." She flips the page and continues to read all the rules.

Most are about loyalty and trusting your fellow brothers and sisters. Then we get to an amendment. The original rule states both husbands and wives must have a seat at the table. My father added, "unless grandfathered in," and wrote "amendment #1" next to it.

My gut churns. I glance at Zara, feeling uneasier.

She softens her voice. "Do you think your mom didn't know anything, or do you think she's lying?"

My chest tightens. I admit, "I want to believe her. Maybe she didn't know, or maybe she didn't want any part of this."

Tension fills the air.

"Why would my dad grandfather himself in if he thought this society was the answer to a peaceful world for his children? Wouldn't he want my mother by his side?"

Zara says nothing, her expression full of compassion.

"She has to know," I decide.

"Sean, you don't know for sure," she warns.

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