Page 135 of Outcast’s Vow

“Yes,” Father replies, bluntly.

“I’m going to be married to him? It’s happening? For real?”

“Yes.”

My whole body trembles. I can’t feel my hands anymore. I can’t feel my face. My mouth moves, but no words emerge.

This is a trap of my own making.

“I can’t do this...”

My voice is lifeless.

Father looks at me now. His eyes are blank. He’s resigned as much as I am to my fate.

“I may be Supreme Elder,” he says hoarsely, “but I still have to manage the rest of the Order, especially the Elders. Leopold is pushing for this. He wants Ethan in the Castaways, and there is nothing I can do to hold him back. This is not a choice, Sylvie. This is what you have to do. As my daughter.”

It’s exactly like the old kings in Europe during medieval times, marrying off their princesses to rival princes. Except now there’s more tailored suits than shining armor. And a hell of a lot less chivalry involved.

Baptiste chose me over the Castaways. My own father is choosing the Castaways over me.

Where is your husband now, Sylvie?

“I can’t marry him,” I defy weakly. “He cheated on me.”

Father waves his hand as if that mere act could somehow wipe away the word. And what Ethan did.

“It has been decided already. Mr. Thornton is a good match for you. He comes from a good family. He’ll give you a good life.”

“He won’t. He can’t.”

“This is final,” Father replies. “You no longer have a say, daughter. Do you even understand how close I was to losing you? Insisting on your freedom has pushed me into this, and even as Supreme Elder I can’t risk an open rebellion.”

“Dad?” I plead. “Dad, please. Please don’t do this.”

There’s a pause, and then a flicker of something sad behind those authoritative eyes...

But then the Supreme Elder of the Castaways simply puts down his papers and walks past me out the door. He doesn’t even look at me.

He leaves the room without saying another word.

52

SYLVIE

I step into the exclusive, elite, and revered heart of the secret Order. The Castaways mansion. The headquarters of the society, located in the rural outskirts of New York City.

The place where so many men have killed to enter.

And yet there is not one atom of me wanting to be here.

Women aren’t usually welcome in this sacred space, but I am invited tonight. Solely because I’m about to be sold off like cattle.

And my buyer is already here.

Dressed in a white dress, so similar to the ones the other girls wore at the Chase, I was driven here by Father’s goons in a tinted SUV, all the way from home. No more camo makeup for me. No more hiding in the rainforest. I’m no longer any different from those other Castaways daughters on the beach.

I’ve been led down a long flight of stairs into a labyrinthine chamber under the mansion. I didn’t even have time to admire the pillars and the gargoyles and the portraits lining the walls.