Page 25 of The Claiming

As we walk deeper through the trees, the twigs crack under our feet and the dense woodland eats up our escape route.

Cassie is shivering in her thin vest and shorts and her nipples press against the fabric, causing my cock to wake up and pay attention.

Fuck, now all I can imagine is banging her against a tree, so I take a deep breath and point at a door in the distance.

“There it is.”

As we reach the door, Cassie’s eyes widen in disbelief.

“Wow, this is amazing. Who built it?”

I admit it’s impressive because it’s a fortress in itself and I explain, “Generations ago, this place was a monastery. The monks lived here in solitude with only prayer to lighten their day. They were peaceful, loving men but had great riches due to the donations from people who believed they could buy their way into heaven. Subsequently, many thieves targeted the monastery, and the monks were forced to build the dungeon.”

“That doesn’t sound very charitable,” Cassie adds in disbelief and I shrug.

“They were different times back then, and the church was corrupt. Anyone hostile who came here ended up in the dungeon. Their excuse for putting them here was that the devil had sent them. The thieves and murderers were locked in here until they escaped or died.”

“That’s horrible.”

She sounds disgusted, and I shrug as I reach for the iron key that is kept on the ledge above the door.

“Wow, they keep the key hidden in plain sight. Why not just leave it open?”

Cassie is incredulous, and I shrug. “They don’t. We were working in here yesterday, and Jesse was the last to leave. He left it here so Ali could make his delivery and he was supposed to return the key. He forgot.”

“What delivery?”

Cassie is full of questions, but she’s getting no answers from me.

“You’ll see when you sign up. There are many secrets in the dungeons and The Claiming is shrouded in mystery to anyone but those taking part.”

“Fuck, Frankie, you’re an asshole.”

I chuckle softly at her obvious irritation and as I edge open the door, I beckon her to follow me inside.

THIRTEEN

CASSIE

This place intrigues me. I can’t help it. I love it already and we’ve only just arrived.

Frankie also intrigues me. There is something about him that calls to my soul. He is poles apart from Jack and perhaps that’s why. Secretive, compelling and a hint of danger runs like a thread through the fabric of his depraved soul. I see it. I feel it and I love it.

A shiver passes through me as I regard the stone walls that are held up by the memories of the dark souls who called this their last resting place.

It bleeds of ancient tradition and I imagine the screams of the damned as they begged for their freedom.

Frankie is watching me as if he’s the gatekeeper to hell. Willing me to step into the unknown, promising he will follow.

I glance around me, desperate to explore every crevice and every corner, and Frankie’s voice is sinister in the shadows as he whispers, “What do you think of it?”

“I love it.” I whisper, my fingers trailing against the cold stone, desperate to walk deeper into the heart of the ancient monument.

“If you like the entrance, you’ll love the tunnels.”

“Tunnels?” My ears prick up and he nods, his eyes flashing in the dusky light.

“Come. I’ll show you.”

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