Page 72 of Unbidden

“Did you guys get roses?” Tinsley asks hesitantly.

“We did!” V gushes.

“Ugh, I’m so jealous! I have one more year until I know if I’m in or not,” T grumbles.

“Um, sorry to interrupt you guys, but what the hell is up with this lingerie, V?” I ask her with a raised brow.

“It’s for us. I went through your top drawer to figure out your sizes. I hope you don’t mind, but I had to make sure we were prepared in case we received black roses.”

“What do black roses and lingerie have to do with a Samhain party? What the hell is a Samhain party, while we’re at it?” I ask, completely exasperated.

“Samhain is the original Halloween. The Celts celebrated their new year on November first. Samhain marked the end of summer and harvest and the beginning of a dark, cold winter. The winter was also associated with death. The Celts believed on the night before the new year, the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest. Samhain was the night the ghosts returned to Earth, causing chaos by terrorizing humans, damaging crops, and so on, so the Druids built huge bonfires where people gathered, burned crops, and had animal sacrifices to the Celtic deities. The Celts would wear costumes and masks and dance around the fire to keep the ghosts at bay. Then at the end, they would go home and relight their hearths and were protected through the winter,” Tinsley explains.

“Right,” I say hesitantly.

“That’s where Halloween came from. Around here, we have a huge Irish population, so it’s only fair we do it right. Besides, who doesn’t love a good mask?” V asks.

“That’s all fine and dandy, but I don’t understand how black roses and lingerie play into that,” I tell them honestly.

V and Tinsley share a look between the two of them before Tinsley sighs and turns back to me. She walks over and takes my hands. “Look, I don’t know much, but if you received a black rose, that means you were part of the chosen. Accepted as one of the upper tier. For you, this isn’t a normal Halloween party but an initiation. You may have to do something you're uncomfortable with, but it’ll set you up for life. After tonight, if you ever need anything, you’ll be able to call upon those in the group to help with whatever you need and they can’t deny you. Take it, Sage. Take it and run,” she begs.

“This sounds crazy,” I tell her while pulling my hands out of hers.

Not so crazy though. Didn’t Reed say something similar the other night? That he had to steal, but the girls would have to sacrifice something else?

“It is, but it’s worth it. I promise,” V says from her spot by the bed. “Now come on. I need you to put this on under your costume.” She holds out a black lace bra and boy short set.

I sigh. “You two owe me.”

“Totally,” they say in unison.

∞∞∞

Tinsley, V, and I are standing around in a group. V straightens, and I feel a hand slip around my waist. “Time to go, little fox,” Keaton whispers in my ear.

“Go where?” I ask softly as V takes Sterling’s hand.

“Don’t ask questions,” he murmurs while pulling me away.

I look over my shoulder and note Tinsley standing there. She mouths, “Good luck,” before turning away and heading back into the house.

“You have your mask?” he whispers.

“Yes.”

“Put it on.”

I slip the mask on as he, V, and Sterling all do the same, and then we walk into the woods along the edge of the lake. We venture farther into the timber for a few minutes before we come to the entrance of a clearing.

“Strip,” Sterling commands while taking off his shirt. Keaton and V start taking off their clothes.

Keaton looks at me and raises a brow. “Bra and panties, little fox,” he tells me quietly.

I watch Sterling take in V’s body and nod before grabbing her hand and leading her into the clearing.

I sigh. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” I mutter while whipping off my dress, keeping my mask in place, and dropping it next to V’s.

“It’ll be worth it,” Keaton tells me earnestly before taking my hand and following Sterling and V.

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