Page 55 of Bride By Initiation

I don't know what I said that struck her as funny, but I say, "Some say I do."

She nods. "I suppose you do."

Silence ensues, and my chest tightens.

She steps closer and curls her finger. I lean closer and she whispers in my ear, "Do you think your father's position allows you to not abide by the rules?"

I pull back so my face is in front of hers, answering, "No. I do not. I was careless coming here. I admit it. I was thinking about making it on time, and I apologize. It will never happen again. But I can assure you, I can vouch for this man."

She tilts her head and inquires, "Why do you have so much loyalty for him?"

I sternly repeat, "I vouch for him."

She steps back and glances over at Brax. Her gaze travels from the top of his head to his feet and back up. She smirks. "Granted, he's sexy in a rough way, but so are others. Why are you vouching for him?"

"I know who he is," I say without hesitation.

She raises a brow. "You know who he is?"

"Yes."

"Ah. You're a foolish one."

"Why is that?"

She glances at Brax again, then pins her gaze back on me. "You think you know people, but I can assure you, you do not."

My mouth turns dry. Before John entered the scene, I would've said I knew everybody close to me, but now there seem to be secrets, possibly lies, and I don't know what to think.

Her eyes brighten, but sadness laces her voice. "Ah. I see. I've spoken a truth, and you're unable to deny it."

I stand straighter. I assert, "I can vouch for this man, and I will not kill him. If you must, take my head and let him go."

"You would rather be killed than kill him?" she questions.

My heart beats faster, my pulse pounding between my ears. I nod, affirming, "I would rather you attempt to kill me."

Her lips twitch. "Attempt?"

"Do you believe I'd go out without a fight?"

She studies me for a long time, and the crowd circled around us deathly quiet.

She finally smiles, then warns, "Those who vouch for the uninvited choose a different path."

It's another riddle full of confusion. I admit, "I don't understand what that means."

She glances again at Brax, then turns her attention back to me, challenging, "Are you sure you want a different path, Sean O'Malley Jr.?"

I don't know what the different path means. All I know is there's no way I'm killing Brax. So I nod, and in a loud voice shout, "I vouch for this man."

The crowd gasps.

A look of approval crosses her expression, along with something else. But then it dawns on me what it means. Maybe it's the mask hiding part of her face, but I didn't immediately see it. Yet I know what it is. It's pure sadistic evil. I've seen it before on men, and a few women, but she surely has it.

She snaps her fingers toward Brax.

The men release him and push him toward me. He stumbles, finds his footing, then stands next to me.

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