Page 66 of Bride By Initiation

"You weren't friends in the real world?"

His lips twitch. "The Underworldisthe real world. You'll soon understand."

I stare at him.

He chuckles. "You got more questions, son?"

A million race through my mind. But the one I ask is, "What about my mother?"

Surprised, he asks, "What about her?"

"I questioned her about the skull brand, but she didn't seem to know anything about The Underworld. But it wouldn't be the first time she lied to me."

Disapproval replaces his surprise. He asserts, "Answers will come to light when you step into your inherited role."

"More rhymes, no answers," I spout.

He sighs and pats me on the shoulder. "Sean, I know this is bothering you."

"Do you know?" I sarcastically ask.

A loud chuckle erupts from him.

I sneer. "What's so funny?"

Tears fill his eyes, and he swipes at them. He stops laughing and answers, "You're so much like your father."

Grief fills my chest, catching in my lungs. It happens whenever I think about my dad. But there's no time to dwell on it, so I force myself to take a deep breath. "Were you there when those thugs murdered him?"

Byrne's face falls. "No. I would never have let that happen."

"Why did they do it?" I question.

Byrne closes his eyes, as if in pain, then opens them. He releases a stress-filled breath. "As I said, lad, answers will come to light when you step into your inherited role."

"I don't know what that means," I admit.

"You have to commit to The Underworld. You have to accept your bid and complete initiation."

"Gee, sounds easy."

"Don't get smart with me, lad. I'm the messenger and your friend. Remember that," he warns.

Something in his tone tells me to back off a bit. So I confess, "I keep hearing about initiation, but I have no fucking clue what it is or means."

He nods. "You aren't supposed to, but it'll all make sense in due time."

"Sure it will," I grumble, pissed off with all his answers that seem to go nowhere.

His face lights up. He holds a finger in front of me. "Let's not forget why I'm here, lad."

I arch my eyebrows in question.

"Tonight is initiation. It's the end of one era and the beginning of a new one. All you have to do is embrace it." His voice drops when he continues, "But if you don't, there won't be any other initiations."

Goose bumps cover my arms. I ask, "End of what era?"

"I can't tell ya."

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