Total pages in book: 331
Estimated words: 315585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1578(@200wpm)___ 1262(@250wpm)___ 1052(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 315585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1578(@200wpm)___ 1262(@250wpm)___ 1052(@300wpm)
She wears a pair of black heels with red bottoms. They’re really tall and skinny and come to a point at the end of her toes. I would think that they’re hard to walk in, but she seems to do it flawlessly.
Turning around, I avert my eyes to my hands quickly, but I know I was too slow when her pointy shoes turn to face me.
A hand grips my chin and yanks my head back. Her eyes scan my face, neck, and nightgown. “Pretty little thing.” She smiles at me, and I no longer like the sound of her voice. It went from comforting to threatening with one compliment.
“Well, you would know.” One of my father’s friends laughs.
“I suppose.” She lets go and steps away from me.
Something out of the corner of my eye gets my attention, and I glance to see what it is. I sit up straighter when I see it’s a girl. Like me. That’s new. “Hi,” I whisper, so as not to get the others’ attention.
She stands in the corner with her back straight, hands gripping a vibrant red purse. It matches the bottoms of the older woman’s shoes and stands out against her black dress. Her hair is the color of the sun. Bright and big curls. I wish I could do mine like that. It looks so pretty on her.
“Hey,” I whisper, unable to contain the smile on my face. “What’s your—”
“Everett,” my father snaps.
I slump over, and my pulse races. “Yes, sir?” I ask with my eyes now on the floor.
“Who the fuck are you talking to?” he demands.
I frown, looking up at him. All eyes are on mine, and I look to my right to see the girl standing there as still as a statue.
“Well?” he barks, and I jump.
“It’s okay.” The woman walks back to me and gives me a smile that she’s trying to play off as nice. I’m not buying it. I know what the devil looks like, and he’s in the room with us. “Who were you talking to, dear?”
“Uh.” My eyes shoot back to the girl again, and she’s not paying me any attention. I watch to see if her chest moves in her black dress, and I can’t even tell if she’s breathing.
“It’s okay,” the woman assures me. “You may speak.”
I lick my lips nervously. “The…the girl.”
She frowns and looks around the room. “You’re the only girl I see, Everett.”
No. “She’s right there.” I point at her in the corner.
“Quit fucking around,” my father snaps at me. “You’re wasting our time.”
I rub my sweaty hands on my thighs, causing my nightgown to ride up. The woman leans over and pulls it down, fixing it for me. Then she faces my father. “Have you had her tested?” she asks.
“For what?” he barks.
“Schizophrenia,” the woman answers, and I wish I knew what she was talking about. “The poor girl is clearly seeing things.”
I stand on the second-floor balcony of the cathedral, looking down over the pews filled with Lords. All of them in black cloaks and masks.
It’s a confessional.
I’m not even sure what the bastard did to fuck them over, but he’s paying for it.
A woman walks down the center aisle, passing around a glass bowl full of razor blades. They’re going to cut him for his sins.
He must bleed for his betrayal.
The Lords take payment in various ways, but it’s always the same—your life.
Once they are finished, I’ll sew him up and he will be collected. He’ll be dead to the world, but his heart will still beat. I don’t know where he will end up, nor do I fucking care.
Not my problem. I’m just here to do my job.
The woman glances up at me, and I make sure to keep my stare blank, giving nothing away. They can smell fucking fear, and I’m not afraid of her. Not anymore.
Those who don’t know about our secret society wouldn’t know who she really is. She’s as evil as they come. Men worship her. Think she’s the most beautiful creature they’ve ever seen. A goddess. Even my father fell for her, and he hates women.
It’s all a lie.
I’ve seen their version of hell, and although I survived, a part of me died as well. I’ve never been tied to the altar for a confessional, but I’ve been an offering to some. They take and take until there is nothing left for you to give. Then they call you cynical and unappreciative.
They strip you naked, tie you down, and fill you with drugs. “It’s what’s best for you,” they say. “You vowed your life to them.” The fuck I did. I never had a choice.
The Lord screams into his gag as blood pours from his freshly cut skin. He’s also pissed himself. They act so tough until payment is due. Then they’re all the same.