Page 9 of Bride By Initiation

As hard as I tried to figure out how he would know my most intimate thoughts, there were no answers. The temptation to talk to Fiona about what had happened grew, but something about John's warning stopped me from confiding in her.

Several months passed, and John never reappeared. I began to wonder if I'd been delusional. Did I want to know the truth about my father's past so much I made the entire encounter up?

Then, out of nowhere, I ran into John. Or maybe I should say, he ran into me.

Fiona and a huge group of us girls were out for the night. A new club in town had opened. We were all on the dance floor, and I'd spun around right into his arms.

He leaned into my ear, demanding, "You've done well keeping our secret. Take the hallway past the bathroom to the exit sign. Go now and wait for me there. And smile so you don't draw attention to yourself with your friends." He spun me in a circle, released me, then stepped in front of Fiona and grabbed her to dance.

I didn't hesitate. I weaved through the sweaty crowd toward the bathroom and found the hallway. It took John ten minutes to arrive. Once he did, he swept me out the door and into the alley.

The conversation hadn't lasted long. He informed me, "The Omni think you're close."

I arched my eyebrows in question, clueless as to what the term "Omni" meant.

His stern voice sent chills down my spine. "Vows cannot be undone. They aren't reversible or revisable. Do you understand?"

I stayed silent, wanting to know everything about the vows he spoke of, but part of me had wanted to run.

"I need to know you understand," he demanded.

I squeaked out a "Yes."

"Good. Once you decide to enter The Underworld, you're pledging your life to the organization. Every task assigned to you leads you toward the truth. Each step you take moves you forward toward your destiny."

"What's my destiny?" I blurted out.

John's expression grew darker, laced with his crooked smile. He dragged his knuckles down my cheek and held his fist in front of my face. Then he turned it, displaying a mark.

The soft glow in the alley required me to look harder. At first, I assumed it was a faded tattoo, but then realized it was a brand, which horrified me but also electrified my curiosity.

Something about the skull adorned with flowers struck me—beautiful femininity mixed with bloody masculinity while hinting at love. Staring at it unearthed something deep inside me, something I couldn't explain. I wasn't able to look away. It held me in a trance, wondering what it meant and how he got it.

John's voice turned softer when he said, "Ah. You understand it." He then moved his hand away.

I slowly met his gaze, swallowing hard.

He continued, "There's only one way to get inside. You pledge your life to The Underworld, and there's no going back. Are you ready, Zara?"

Adrenaline and anticipation swirled within me, and a loud inner voice screamed at me with conflicting messages.

John lifted his fist again, seducing me with the skull to the point I almost agreed.

But then he pulled back and stated, "You're not ready. I'll return, and you will then be ready to pledge your allegiance and step into your destiny."

"I-I don't understand all this," I admitted.

"But you want it," he insisted.

I opened my mouth, my insides quivering, but nothing came out.

His expression went neutral. He patted my shoulder and then disappeared, leaving me in the alley.

That was three months ago. I hadn't seen him again until tonight, and he surprised me by showing up out of the blue.

"Another drink?" Molly asks, tearing me out of my thoughts.

I take my gaze off the front door, glancing around the pub at my family and friends, and know I need to leave. Who knows what happened between John and Sean? Knowing Sean, he's going to demand that I explain who John is, and I'm unprepared to answer his questions.

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