Page 18 of Anathema
Suddenly, we weren’t the only two here; he brought at least six additional members with him, all covered from head to toe in black cloaks and faceless masks. Adrian was dressed in a slick black suit as if he were the prince of darkness and deception himself. Very fitting.
“I’m here for you, of course. Our newest pledge into Anathema.” He smiled and held out his hands, presenting the two cloaked individuals behind him.
Unease was a bitter taste in my mouth. I knew Adrian was fucked in the head, but not to this extent. I was never fond of him when he was dating Madison. A manipulative asshole that controlled her in the worst of ways. He bent her to his will, and she was too naive and blinded by her love for him even to notice it. Chyler drew the short end of the stick, trying to protect Madison from his controlling and possessive behavior, and she still holds their breakup over Chyler’s head to this day.
“You have a lot of nerve luring me here. I told you the last time we saw each other that I wanted you to stay the fuck out of Madison’s life.” I growled, my words laced with venom. If I could spit acid directly into his face, I would. Melt that smug ass smile off his face permanently.
“I don’t see Madison here, do you?” Adrian took a step towards me, and I took one back.
He was far too comfortable with this exchange, and I didn’t want him anywhere near me. His dark hair fell over half of his face, and his bright green eyes glowed in the dim lighting surrounding us. He looked every part of the villain he truly was. A monster that hid under your bed until the lights went out and you were at your most vulnerable.
I swallowed, glancing over my shoulder to see how much more space I could put between us before I was walled in by the rest of the members he had brought with him.
I was unarmed by request, but were they as well? Or was I no better than a rabbit trapped in a fox den? I hated being the rabbit. I was always the fox.
“Look, your first task is already set up for tonight. As far as I’m concerned, you have two options here. You can either come with me willingly and begin your initiation into Anathema or turn around and leave.” Adrian’s voice carried a subtle hint of irritation towards me as he held out his hand, and the four bodies behind me parted, leaving a gap to exit in the direction where I had come from.
He was baiting me; he had to be.
“It can’t be that simple. I know who you are; what you are.” There was disbelief and a slight tremble in my voice.
There was no way he would let me go knowing his identity. They could kill me right here and now, and no one would ever know. I would disappear… just like Monika, except no one would care or notice that I was gone.
Chyler wasn’t here anymore; she was too busy with Atlas. And Madison… Madison and I haven’t talked in months since she started dating again.
I was alone, on my own once again.
“It is, and you have ten seconds to decide. I don’t have all night.” Adrian snapped as he checked his Rolex and returned his gaze to mine. “Tick-tock, Alexis.” He added.
“I have questions,” I blurted out, hoping to buy myself some additional time to consider and weigh my options, even if it was mere seconds.
When I entered these tunnels, I was confident in what I was doing and what I wanted. I had brushed off Eli's warnings as if they were nothing. Unafraid of what was to come. But now that I knew Adrian was involved in all this, I wasn’t sure about my choice.
Could I work for someone like him? Why did he even want me to begin with?
He sighed and slid his hands into his pockets. His gaze examined me, determining if I was going to be a more considerable pain in the ass than he initially signed up for.
“If you come with me and start your initiation, I'll answer all your questions. The more you know now, the bigger of a nuisance you are to us… Which begs the question: Are you a threat or an asset to Anathema, Alexis?” He held his hand out to me with an expecting nod.
My pulse began to race, and my eyes bounced between his piercing gaze and his hand. I held my breath and knew this would be a decision I would eventually regret. I was jumping off the deep end into a pit with no way out.
But I had so many questions that needed answers.
I’m so sorry, Madison and Chyler…
Releasing my held breath, I placed my hand in his, and all of the light that once illuminated the tunnel went out.
Just like my fate, we were sealed in darkness, and I held back a scream.
Chapter 8
Alexis
Adrianhadbroughtmeto a large open cavern. It looked like an underground cathedral, except it was far from it. It had high vaulted ceilings and several torches spread out along the walls, illuminating the expansive area.
There was nowhere to sit, just a large open space, with black torn fabric draped along the walls and the Anathema symbol at the room’s far end. A white rabbit with a red letter A dripping down its fur as if painted with fresh blood. The sight of it sent a shiver down my spine.
“Where are we?” I breathed in awe as I took in my new surroundings. Who would have thought that all of this was here, just sitting underneath the city?
