Page 97 of Sundowners
As I grew near, the Source’s expression softened.
“Guardian Creed. We are truly blessed. Come closer.”
I moved with trepidation, unsure what the Source’s reaction to me would be.
I was shocked when they pulled me into an embrace, and I got a load of their latent power buzzing just below the surface.
“Always one of my favorites, one of my strongest initiates. What happened to you, Guardian Creed? You disappeared after your ceremony. I knew you persevered, but I could never see you or reach you. What happened?”
Is it possible they don’t know?
I glanced at Stephen, who had moved closer to the Guardian holding Roman.
“What didStephentell you happened?”
The Source glanced from Stephen to me. “What do you mean? After your ceremony? We went on to work with our next group of recruits at the next commune. Stephen became my escort and we went together, leaving Leader Bree in charge of the commune we left behind.”
“That’s what he told you?”
“That’s what happened.” The Source didn’t sound as confident, that rich voice that coated my insides like honey had the slightest tinge of uncertainty.
“Stephen and his minions killed everyone there and took you away,” I said, trying to sound calm. Stephen shook his head when I spoke. “They’ve been keeping you all these years, away from the truth.”
I caught Mark’s eye where he stood with Cross behind the circle. They were poised to move in protection of the initiates, who at least were no longer threatened with knives.
“Creed, you are mistaken,” the Source said, their voice softer. They stroked my cheek and held onto my shoulders. “That is not what happened. Now, if you would join us, I would be delighted, but it is crucial that we continue this ritual, as Samhain is beginning and the veil is lifting. Without the new blood and the infusion from the spirits… We can’t have that. It is crucial we continue.”
They tried to smile, but there was fear in their deep crystal-blue eyes as they stepped away from me and approached the picnic table.
“Bring the first initiate.”
I placed a hand on the Source’s shoulder, cringing at the thought I might lose that hand. “I can’t let you do that.”
They turned on me and the ground began to shake…violently. “You can’t stop the ceremony, Creed. There will be…consequences.”
“Creed, you need to step away.”
I looked to Roman, and saw Stephen’s hands around his neck as Roman fought to breathe. I gasped, but closed my eyes. Still there. “Stephen,youneed to stop this. Your use of terror is not The Way. It’s not right.”
The ground continued to shake, growing with force as The Source became more stressed. The Leaders gazed around in fear, moving toward the water and away from the trees, which had begun dropping debris. But the water sloshed violently against the shoreline, growing more agitated by the second.
“Stephen has been manipulating you,” I shouted to The Source over the chaos. “He’s hurting people and you’re the only one who can stop it!”
“Stephen?” They reached for him to help, but Stephen was wrestling with a now lucid Roman. The backup officers and Rey and Vanessa came rushing forward, all of them moving toward the Guardians who held the initiates.
“No!” The Source shouted as they held onto the table to keep from falling. They waved a hand and knocked everyone to the ground, except for me. “Creed, I don’t know what to believe, but this ritual must happennow!”
“You can’t! These initiates are not able to give con—”
“Silence.”
They threw me with a flick of their hand and I flew backwards, hitting a tree before sliding to the ground. My vision grew fuzzy, just as the four initiates were pulled toward the Source as if there was an invisible tether about their waists.
Roman was chosen to be first.
“No! Roman—”
The Source held their hands up and brought them down fast, and the weight felt as if a boulder had landed on my chest. I had no choice but to watch the violation of my beloved…
