Page 141 of Bride By Initiation

They both have olive skin, dark hair and eyes, a pointed nose, and thinnish lips.

Amalia is maybe an inch taller.

Valentina continues, "Zara, you get to pick which woman gets initiated into The Underworld."

My heart races. I glance at her, remembering what happened last time someone didn't get initiated.

She adds, "First, they'll pick which initiation they want. Then you'll decide who is worthy of completing initiation."

I shake my head. "I don't know how to choose."

Valentina nods. "Sure you do."

"Why can't we initiate both of them?" I ask, hoping there's some miracle.

Valentina's eyes turn to slits. She seethes, "One woman's a traitor. She's disclosed things about The Underworld to others that she shouldn't have. The other women has not. She has kept our secrets close to her heart. She's eligible to be initiated. So you must choose."

I gape at her.

"You can do it," she encourages.

"I don't know which of these women is a traitor," I scoff.

Valentina puts her fingers over my lips. Without room for negotiation, she asserts, "You will use your gut, and just know."

My anxiety escalates.

She refocuses on the women. "Now, before Zara picks, you two must decide which initiation you want. And it's up to you. Whatever you choose is what we will do if you survive."

I put my hand on my stomach. Bile rises, and I swallow it down.

Please don't make me kill anyone again.

Please don't make me kill anyone again.

Please don't make me kill anyone again.

I say this over and over in my head, but the dread in me grows.

Valentina points to the pool.

A man wearing a white robe and a skull mask kneels next to the water. He chants something low and incoherent.

She states, "You can choose the Ceremony of Water and Flames, which will baptize you into The Underworld. Or..." She points to the seven men.

They all stroke their erections, lewd expressions plastered on the faces.

Valentina continues, "Or you may choose the Binding of Flesh Ceremony. If chosen, these seven men will pound The Underworld into you."

I gape at Valentina.

"Don't look at me. Watch them," she instructs.

I refocus on the women.

Maria scans each of the men with a smirk on her face. "I choose Binding of Flesh all day and all night long. You can keep your Water and Flames."

Shock fills me at her response.

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