about.
I’d been locked in my room like a prisoner for four weeks. Then I’d been told the story, even shown graphic pictures.
All in an effort to protect me, to help me understand the way of life within the Sacred Sect.
At least according to my parents.
Then everything had returned to normal as they attempted to soft-sell the requirements, prattling on how happy they were even as tears had filled my mother’s eyes.
Everyone was rich within the community, their wealth measured in millions. Stocks. Bonds. Land. Incredible properties in several locations. Jewels. There was nothing that any of the members could want for, no luxury that hadn’t been supplied.
Their price? Allegiance.
Obedience.
Yet I knew they bathed in the blood of others, destroying anyone who stood in their way.
The men of the sect also held power up and down the East Coast, capable of putting the fear of God into everyone from politicians to members of law enforcement.
I rubbed the tears from my eyes, trying to focus on the road. I’d stolen a car. The thought made me laugh out loud. My God, I’d swiped one of the guests’ precious Mercedes.
You will face their wrath.
This was certainly a punishable offense on several levels. I could only imagine what would happen if they caught me.
I would never let that happen. I’d run far away. I’d change my name. I’d lose myself in some fucking jungle if I had to. I no longer cared. I just wanted to get the hell away from them.
To live my life.
The lights were getting even closer. Oh, God. Oh, God. I hunkered over the steering wheel, trying to pay attention to what was in front of me, but the emotions rolling through every inch of my mind were horrific.
All I’d ever wanted was a normal family with a mother and a father who were proud of me. I’d never pretended that I’d find an incredible knight or a hero of any kind who would sweep me off my feet, taking me to a magical land. That wasn’t me.
Now this. No. No!
I’d never gotten close enough to anyone to share aspects of my colorful life. To everyone who knew me, I was a simple girl from a modest family, paying her way through college like so many others. They didn’t need to know anything else. What did it matter now? Everything I’d worked for was likely already gone.
My job.
My condo.
My car.
Everything.
I knew how members of the sect worked and what they could do within hours. I had cash and I had my freedom.
For a few years, I’d believed my parents no longer cared about the ritual, the requirement of all girls who reached the age of twenty-four. After the day I’d been freed from my home prison, they’d never mentioned another word about the tradition or the requirements, even allowing and encouraging me to go to nursing school in another state. What had changed? Had my parents been threatened?
Or was this all about their greed?
My heart was hammering so hard against my chest that I had difficulty breathing, bitter tears staining my cheeks.
When the road shifted, the curve coming up fast, I was forced to hit the brakes. The massive engine of the car refused to let go of the rocky ride, the vehicle skidding across the road. I couldn’t be caught. I just couldn’t be taken back.
Lights seemed to be coming from everywhere as I tried to gain control, twisting and turning the steering wheel.
The hard thump as I veered over the edge of the road was jarring, the car now completely out of control. There was nothing else I could do but hope and pray.
But to what God?
I was woozy as the car continued to spin, finally slowing then stopping completely. I panted, grasping the steering wheel. The light infusing every corner of the vehicle suddenly became blinding.
Perhaps I should say a word of thanks to the powers that be that I was alive, except that wasn’t the truth.
I was now one of the undead. I laughed at the thought as a shadow shifted into the periphery of my vision, the door flung open and strong arms yanking me onto my feet.
It was him. The gorgeous man I’d kissed in the greenhouse, the one I’d hungered to lose all control with, enjoying a night of sin. The very one who’d been in on the ruse by the Sacred Sect. To hell with him.
“Are you out of your mind?” he demanded. “You were driving erratically. You could have gotten yourself