Page 30 of Eternal Surrender

Ingrid would be Orpheus’s.

She would be mine.

Nearing her, knowing the longer I kept her quiet the more likely I’d keep her alive, I removed the necktie from out of my coat pocket and held it up.

Ingrid looked horrified. “Blake’s tie! What have you done with him?”

“Do exactly as you’re told, and Blake won’t be harmed.” I held her jaw. “You only speak when I permit, understand?”

“Where is he?” she dared.

“Seems you misunderstood.” I pinched her jaw. “This remains closed.”

Marcus’s quizzical frown revealed his intrigue. If he approved, the others would follow his lead.

“Prepare to mark her as property of a Status Regal,” I ordered the blonde, and faced Ingrid again. “This is an honor you’ve yet to earn.”

The brunette assisted the blonde, preparing the equipment and heating up the small metal brand. They waited for it to glow orange.

“Your life’s hanging by a thread,” I whispered. “I need you to do exactly as I say.” Pressing my fingertips against her lips, I emphasized the need for her to remain silent.

A thin leather strap was placed in the palm of my hand, and I rested it against Ingrid’s lips and said, “Bite on this.”

Ingrid screamed when she caught the blonde approaching with the red-hot poker.

I shoved the leather strap into her mouth, forcing her to bite down and then shot a glance at the blonde. “I’ll do it.”

The blonde held Ingrid still.

I pressed the glowing brand to the center of Ingrid’s left inner forearm and the smell of burning flesh arose, a faint sizzle. The small black circle was forever marked there. Ingrid’s keening escaped the edges of the leather gag.

The blonde took the poker from me and stepped away.

The strap fell from Ingrid’s mouth and her legs gave way, leaving her dangling forward, held solely by the shackles. I lifted her, hugging her into me, waiting for her to regain consciousness.

With a kiss to her full lips, I brought her back to me. “You belong to Orpheus now.” Though I doubted she’d heard.

The room fell quiet, the only sound was of Ingrid’s short breaths, her anguished sighs filling the chamber. Her tears fell faster than I could wipe them away.

“Everyone out,” I said.

“Why mark her if you’re going to turn her?” Marcus asked.

“Orpheus’s command was clear.” I ran my fingers around the circle.

He directed them to leave and then threw me an uneasy glance. “You’re not an accountant,” he snapped.

Fear caught in Ingrid’s throat as she gasped, “Don’t you dare turn me.”

“You’ve yet to earn that right.” My fingertips pressed against her mouth hoping she’d get the hint.

She moved her head from to the side, her lips trembling. “Let me go.”

“Ingrid, stay with me,” I whispered. “I need you conscious.”

She lost her composure, only this time I let her fear turn in on itself and watched her frenzied struggling with nowhere to go.

“She’s not ready for Orpheus,” I warned Marcus.