Page 62 of Bride By Initiation

She doesn't respond.

"Please, I want to know. Answer my question."

She leans closer, her lips twitching.

Tension builds between us, and my heart races.

Her cocky expression intensifies.

"Tell me," I demand.

In a confident tone, she answers, "You're going to marry one of them."

I start laughing. It's full of nerves. Then I declare, "No, I'm not."

Her features go stern, her voice equally so as she insists, "You will. The choice will be yours, but you will go through with it."

"And why is that?" I question, pissed off and not wanting to do anything of the sort.

She claims, "You want the truth."

I dig my heels in, restating, "I'm not marrying one of them."

Sylvia smirks. "You will. The truth is in front of you, so when it comes time, I'm one hundred percent sure you will say 'I do.' And vows in The Underworld aren't like out here, so know that going in."

My mouth turns dry. I snap, "What do you mean?"

Her smile turns cold. Her eyes burn with something that scares me even more.

A wave of nausea hits me, and I swallow hard.

She replies, "There is no separation. There is no divorce. It's your blood, their blood, and a lifelong commitment that can never be undone."

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11

Sean

My lungs work to expand with stale breaths. They got like that the minute I spotted Zara across the restaurant. Then she had to approach me and suffocate me with her floral perfume and begging eyes.

But I'm not giving in. She has information I need. She might as well be my enemy if she won't disclose it.

I shove through the crowd and step onto the rooftop deck, but the warm, early summer air is just as claustrophobic. There's a handful of others out here, but I ignore everyone, grabbing a beer from the bartender and stepping over to the corner. I stare at the twinkling city lights, wishing my father was still alive so he could answer all the questions I have.

I feel Brax's presence next to me but don't look at him.

He questions, "When are you going to tell me why you're upset with Zara?"

"I'm not," I claim, and take a big swig of my beer.

"You are,"he insists.

"I'm not," I repeat, turning away from him.

His voice grows angry. "Sean, I'm getting sick of being in the dark."

I turn back to him and grit through my teeth, "If anyone should be upset with anyone, it's me with you."

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