Page 228 of Malice and Surrender
Dave stopped walking, and my head flopped to the side as he placed me on something cold and hard. My fingers felt like they were touching rock, and the earlier fear I’d managed to control threatened to take over once more. I was in a hysterical fog, trapped inside my body like an animal trapped in a cage, but the cage was my flesh and bones. I didn’t need to see to know I’d reached my final destination.
The hum that had turned into a chant reached the end, and the room fell silent. I could feel the tears sliding down my cheek as the weight of my reality settled on my chest. Even if I could get free, this wasn’t like the warehouse. There were dozens of voices. I didn’t know where I was. I had no weapon, and my body still couldn’t respond. With every passing second, more would tingle and twitch, but it wasn’t enough to get up and run or fight my way through a crowd of any kind, let alone those hell-bent on making me a sacrifice.
More tears spilled from my eyes and felt cool on my skin as they fell and dried on my cheeks. For eleven years, I’d lived in constant fear of those that had hurt me. Eleven years I blamed the wrong man, and the moment I let myself live and breathe and believe in love and a happily ever after again…they struck. I’d let my guard down and never suspected who the real culprit was. Did Irene know what Dave did? Did she even care? It didn’t matter, but so many questions swirled in my head.
It was like they were waiting for the moment I let my walls down to take me and finish what they’d started. The feeling was coming back to my jaw, and my teeth chattered. The longer no one said anything, the more scared I became. I should’ve been happy that no one touched me, but not knowing where they were and what they were doing was somehow worse.
“Today is a special day,” Father said. His loud booming voice pierced my heart with more terror than I ever thought possible, and all I could think about was my guys.
Kai. The first love of my life, the other half of my soul. I could so clearly see our chance to rebuild the future that had been stolen from us. I could feel his hands and how he made me feel protected and safe.
“Today, we will complete a ceremony that was interrupted and left uncompleted. A circle that should have brought us more power from the beginning.” He said, and I tried to block him and the crazy out.
Avro. The sweetest man I’ve ever known. Who was there for me through so many terrible nights and helped me step out of my shell with his unwavering patience.
“By completing this circle, we will feed evil one of its own, and just like a snake eating its tail, its mouth will be too full to bother us and our righteous path that only God can see.”
Jace. The way he commanded everything and pushed me hard to step out of the shadows of my fear and become who I wanted to be. Our short time together had shown me there was so much more I wanted to do before it all ended.
This man who claimed to be a Father, a man of God, was no more than a charlatan. The world needed fewer people like this. People who twisted religion into whatever they wanted it to be, whatever served them. They were wolves in sheep’s clothing who planned on stealing everything from me—the potential laughs and smiles, the soft touches and stupid arguments over who ate the last cookie. I wanted it all.
My jaw clenched tight, and my shoulders twitched, the muscles firing and coming to life as Father kept talking. Those in the room would call and answer during parts of his ludicrous speech. They had held me down and taken what they wanted, but not this time. I’d fight to my last dying breath.
The room fell silent, and all I could hear was the pounding of my heart and the woosh of air leaving my lungs.
I couldn’t stop my whole body from jerking as someone touched my leg. What felt like fingers traveled along my body until a hand gripped my chin.
“And so we meet again, Kitten,” Father whispered close to my ear. I no longer wondered what the Devil sounded like. This man had walked straight from hell and into this room.
“Your death was stolen from me once. Your friend Jim couldn’t stomach it any longer and called the paramedics. He was weak and undeserving of the robe, but there is no one here to help you today, Kitten,” he whispered so only I could hear. “I’m going to enjoy every second of this.”
The only Jim I had known was Dave’s friend, who was like an uncle to me. My body revolted against the thought that not only Dave but also Jim could do that to me. No other explanation made sense.
He took a deep breath, smelling my skin, and both my legs spasmed and jerked on the table. “Oh yes, you do smell so sweet. We will all fill you with our godly seed to wash away any lingering darkness before your demon body is sacrificed.”
“You’re…”
“What’s that, Kitten? I didn’t understand that demon tongue of yours.”
My eyes fluttered open, and I stared into the eyes of the man who had worn another’s face for too long. His dark eyes felt like they were penetrating my soul and trying to steal it from my body. I hated him. I hated everything he did to me, everything he stood for.
“You’re…a…dead…man,” I whispered and then swallowed down the dry and smoky taste from the candles in the room.
Father smiled at me, but it was cold and calculating. I could see in his eyes he was envisioning me screaming in pain. There was an edge to his stare that had all my instincts screaming serial killer dressed up in religious robes. My hand twitched at my side, and I tested my fingers. They all moved.
“You’re still the same, Kitten. I see we didn’t break you well enough. Not to worry, we will tonight,” he said as he pulled the red hood over his head.
I tried to lift my arm, but it only raised slightly before flopping back to the stone. I was panting hard when he finished lighting the rest of the candles.
“Profit Dave, begin the shackling process.”
“Yes, Father,” Dave said and stepped up to pull a thick chain and leather cuff from under the table.
“No…don’t…touch…me,” I growled and coughed. I tried to yank my leg away, but it was heavy and slow. Dave grabbed it easily, holding it in place while he fastened the cuff. I felt an intense combination of panic and rage as Dave gripped my second leg.
The leather was securely in place, and Dave moved toward my arms when we heard a scream that froze everyone. I glanced up at Dave and Father. They looked worried. Or was it just my hopeful imagination?
Like a switch was hit, the sound of gunfire could be heard. The distinct roar of not just one but dozens of motorcycles echoed through the room, and my bottom lip shook.
