Page 210 of Chandelier Enthralled
I held my breath as I peered around the corner. There, in the center of the chamber, Jewel stood poised, caught in the very heart of a circle. The scene before me was unlike anything I’d expected—a dark, primal gathering, an ancient ritual that reeked of power and mystery.
But it wasn’t the ceremony that held me in awe. It was Jewel. She was not a participant, but the focal point. She was being worshipped, venerated in a way that seemed almost otherworldly, as if she were the key to something far greater than I could ever have imagined.
The scent of wild musk hit me as masked revelers swirled and danced, their bodies close but their intentions hidden beneath layers of black silk. Under the blue light, an intoxicating blend of desire and erotica filled the air, each touch lingering like a whisper of danger, a promise of forbidden pleasure.
Then I saw it—the unmistakable symbol of Satan. A naked man was standing before her, his head crowned with the twisting horns of the devil, his cock erect and menacing. His dance movements exuded an unsettling energy, as though the very air around him shifted, thick with something malevolent.
All the while, Jewel looked on, amused in that stark way of hers—as though having a naked man, a supposed powerful deity worshipping her, was only natural.
This was an ancient orgy, one where the scene appeared carefully choreographed and was acted out dramatically. The clash between spontaneous fucking and grand gestures of worship offered up a heady scene.
In the center, Jewel reigned supreme. Even though she was masked, her pleasure at watching this all unfold around her was evident, as though she was high on a drug and completely absorbed in their celebration of her.
It was obvious now. She had tried to turn Pendulum into an American equivalent ofthis.
I readied myself to face her, to threaten her with revealing the truth about this and what was in Dean’s notebook if she harmed Greyson.
Oh, God.
He was already here—and he was confronting her.
Surprise flashed in her eyes and then recognition that it was him standing before her. I couldn’t hear them, but they were exchanging harsh words, and whatever he was saying alarmed her.
Jewel’s terror was evident, even behind her mask.
She turned and ran, lifting her hem as she bolted through an arched doorway.
Greyson, with his usual calmness, followed her out of the crypt, taking long strides, pursuing her.
I was too late to stop him.
It was good to see the terror in Jewel’s eyes. Who could possibly deserve it more?
The consequences of her actions were crashing down around her. She wasn’t untouchable after all.
Because of me, a man willing to end all this suffering.
“This is going to hurt,” I told her. “Brace yourself for a delicious death.”
“You wouldn’t dare in front of all these people.”
I shrugged. “These kinds of people love a good blood sport. Because they’reyourpeople.”
She scanned the faces around her, as though looking for someone who would realize she was being threatened.
They all looked drugged out to me—high on booze, drugs, or endless sex. A heady combination and enough to be a welcome distraction.
Justice buzzed around her like an invisible bee, ready to deliver its final sting. How beautiful karma is, with its exquisite insight. Not one more person would suffer because of her. Not one more person would lose their life because of Jewel’s sick agenda.
“This is a decent place to die,” I bit out. “Bravo.”
She flew out of the crypt, scurrying along the hallway.
I’d never seen her behave this way before, as though she’d glimpsed her reflection in an unforgiving mirror.
I strolled casually after Jewel so as not to attract attention. I made sure I was away from the madding crowd before taking longer strides after her. Having viewed a map of the castle’s layout, I knew where she was headed—a dead end.
And it gave me a dark satisfaction.
