Page 27 of Bride By Initiation

She snaps, "Don't ever disrespect The Underworld. Never, never, never. Do you understand me?"

I put my hands in the air defensively. "Sorry."

Tense silence fills the air between us, and goose bumps break out on my skin.

She finally speaks again. "I thought you wanted answers, Zara."

I choose my words carefully. "I do want answers, but I don't understand all this Underworld stuff. I'm not looking to get involved in something I don't know all the details about."

"You've not told anyone about your encounters with John," she states.

"No."

"That's because you want in."

"Not true," I insist, but I wonder if she's right.

She studies me until I feel uncomfortable, but I don't flinch. She asks, "Don't you want better for your children someday?"

I jerk my head backward. "My children? I don't have children. I don't even know if I'm ever getting married."

She purses her lips, then cautions, "Don't speak such foolishness."

"I'm being honest. Besides, women don't have to get married these days. I have a career. I can get married later. And who says I need to have kids?"

She keeps the same expression on her face, and I realize I'm saying the wrong things. She returns to her friendly smile. "Zara, I come bearing gifts, and you should be excited about this."

I glance around. "I don't see any presents."

"Ha-ha. You're a funny one, I see," she says.

I tap my fingers on my thigh. "If you don't mind getting to the point of this, I have to work early in the morning," I say, ready to have my apartment back to myself, and still freaked out that this woman is in my living room when my dad has top-notch security on me at all times.

"Fine." She lifts her chin and stares at me momentarily, then reveals, "I came to show you who you'll be paired up with should you prove your worthiness to get through initiation."

"Paired up with? Worthiness? Once again, I'm lost," I admit with annoyance.

She glares at me.

The hairs on my arms rise. I stay silent, afraid I'll say something that will upset her again.

She continues, "It's an important decision." She grabs a thick binder off the table I hadn't noticed before and holds it toward me, adding, "This is for you."

I cautiously ask, "What's in it?"

"Pictures of men," she states.

My heart races faster. "Why do I need to see pictures of men?"

She rises. "If you're lucky, one of these men will be given the authority to choose you. You can choose them and move forward, or the opportunity will disappear. And then..." Her voice trails off. She looks away and swallows hard.

A shiver racks my body. I sternly ask, "The opportunity disappears and then, what?"

She takes a calculated breath, refocuses on me, and her lips tighten into a thin line.

I tense at the look she gives me.

"You'll soon find out. And trust me, you don't want to be on the unchosen side."

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