Page 94 of Bride By Initiation

Valentina challenges, "Are you tapping out, Sean?"

The air in my lungs thickens. My fist clenches at my side. The last thing I want is for Zara, who is now my wife, to be subjected to this. My role is to protect her, not throw her into the depths of this sadistic society. Yet I know the consequences of not doing what they want. I'm about to answer when Zara speaks up.

She lifts her chin, squares her shoulders, and declares, "Sean O'Malley doesn't tap out." She turns to me, swallows hard, and orders, "Let's go."

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16

Zara

Though her face is partially hidden by her diamond mask, I can see the shock in Valentina's eyes.

There's no other way. Enough people have died tonight, one of whom I killed.

My insides quiver harder at the thought.

I killed someone. An innocent man pleaded for his life, but I slashed his throat and then stabbed him in the heart.

What kind of animal am I?

Valentina recovers, her lips pursing as she studies me closer.

Sean digs his fingers into my waist, but I can't tear my gaze from hers.

There's something familiar about Valentina. I can't put my finger on it, andI'm sure I've never met her before, yet the look in her eyes is almost comforting. It makes no sense to me, yet I can't shake it.

I'm sure she's stunning without her mask. I think she might be in her late twenties, maybe early thirties, and her sharp features remind me of a model onthe catwalk.

One who'd eat me alive if I crossed her.

For some strange reason, I respect that trait in her. It's another aspect that feels intimate.

Somehow, I muster every ounce of bravery and don't flinch under her perusal.

Her expression morphs into one of approval, and she asserts, "Then don't keep us waiting. There are three stages of initiation, and you've only gotten through one. When the sun rises, you'll either be part of The Underworld or..." She pauses, pursing her lips, glancing at Sean, then back at me. "Not."

My stomach dives. At this point, the only goal is to get out of here alive with Sean by my side.

Valentina turns to face the crowd and puts her arm in the air. The gathering of people goes silent, and she points behind her, roaring, "Let the Performance test begin!"

Torches raise in unison, and the audience chants breathlessly, "Oh...ah! Oh...ah! Oh...ah!" They pound their feet and repeat the phrase over and over.

A buzzing ache fills my veins as I stare at the white silk-covered bed positioned in the middle of the huge bloodstain, pink rose petals strewn about, and the soft glow of flickering candles surrounding it.

"Zara," Sean murmurs in my ear.

I begin to turn toward him, but the bodies hanging on the flag poles, and the thousands of people watching us, steal my bravery. My heart beats so fast, I think it might explode, and my breathing turns shallow.

Sean steps before me, throws his arm around me, and slides his other hand into my hair. He pushes my face against his chest and murmurs, "I don't want it to be like this, but we have no choice. Forgive me before we do this." He pulls back and locks his conflicted, remorseful greens on mine.

I put my hand over his chest. His heart's pounding, just as out of control as mine, and I nod, stating, "I do."

A small amount of relief fills his expression, but it's short-lived. With his arm around my waist, he leads me to the side of the bed and then palms my cheeks. He presses his lips to mine, slowly sliding his tongue into my mouth and lazily kissing me until I'm clenching the lapels of his jacket, aching for everything I've deemed too risky for our friendship to survive.

The galvanic chanting lowers to a hushed tone, surprising me and pulling at the core of my desire.

Sean releases me, his chest rising and falling heavily, and keeps his eyes pinned on mine. He unbuttons his jacket and slides it off, then removes his bow tie and drops it on the floor next to it.

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