accepting a congratulatory pat on the back.
Whatever relief I’m feeling is short lived. Again, I swallow down the bile threatening to make its presence known in all too dramatic fashion.
Percy tugs me down the long line of people waiting to offer their congratulations. I’m numb as I accept them, responding to empty words with only a smile and a nod and the occasional thank you, too preoccupied with what’s to come. The ceremony might be over, but the night is far from finished.
Because tonight is my wedding night.
Rage disappeared shortly after the ceremony, no doubt to tell Pike what just took place. I feel even more nauseous at what his reaction is going to be as I enter Percy’s trailer.
I’m glad my family isn’t appearing to me right now because even ghosts shouldn’t have to bear witness for what is about to happen in this room. The Ceremony, as it’s called.
Summed up, it’s a sick ritual where all future leaders of the Reich require witnesses to their union. In layman’s terms, they want to watch us fuck.
I remove my dress and undergarments and lift the covers, shaking as I slide between the cool sheets. I tug them up to cover my naked body. I remember Pike’s knife that’s strapped to my leg. I remove it from my garter and tuck it under one of the pillows.
And I wait.
There’re a thousand hornets stinging at my skin, puncturing every nerve I have as the door swings open. Darius enters first, draped in a white robe. His lined face is expressionless, but it’s his dark eyes that are glistening with amusement as he looks me over approvingly.
I ignore the impulse to protectively lift my knees to my chest and instead sit straight on the bed, my back flush against the cool metal of the headboard.
The other elders follow him inside the trailer, taking their places around the bed. I nod to Darius in greeting, and he nods back, opening a small book in his hands.
“We are honored to witness the consummation of the future of the Fourth Reich and are here to ensure that the joining takes place which will produce the next generation of pure bloods and pure souls.” Daruis closes the book and nods to the man I know as Eleven. He opens the door once again and in walks Percy with his hands folded in front of him and his eyes to the ground. He’s wearing the same white robe as the elders. The door is closed behind him. The sound of the lock clicking in place causes my spine to jump. The only jumping I want to do right now is out of the fucking window.
“God has honored you with this gift of your chosen one. May you serve him and the fourth Reich well. May you fulfill your duties and carry out his will as only he intended.”
I want to both vomit and cringe. God? Really? They’re bringing God into their bullshit? Then again, what better authority to claim to have than someone you can’t ask questions or demand the truth from.
Percy steps to the side of the bed, and Darius removes the robe from Percy’s shoulders to reveal a very naked, tattooed body underneath.
Percy doesn’t so much as look at me as he peels the covers back from my body, exposing me to the men in the room who lean over with interested, lust-filled eyes to catch a glimpse as he places his hands on my knees and spreads my legs.
I swallow hard, but I can’t stop my body from shaking. I can’t pretend that I’m not disgusted and afraid and even more angry as his chest grazes mine.
He’s supposed to be on my side! Why did he agree to this? Say something, Percy! I silently shout.
He pulls the blanket over us and braces himself on his forearms, leaning down he whispers in my ear, “Don’t worry. Trust me. Please.”
“Go on,” Darius demands, sounding both irritated and eager.
Percy slides his hand under the pillow and out of the corner of my eye I see him pull something from underneath, and at first, I think it’s my knife, but I can still feel it beneath my head. He reaches down, and I assume he’s adjusting himself because after a few seconds I can feel him positioned at my entrance, and I close my eyes. But no matter how tightly shut they are, it can’t block out the feeling of him thrusting inside of me. I take a deep