me into the forefront. I was shocked at the connection I shared with her, as if the very gods above had thrown us together on purpose.
There was more at play here, a level of darkness that I prayed to God my brother could handle. One thing was certain. The ugly secret I’d promised to keep could never be revealed. There were far too many people who could use it to further unravel the community.
I held my breath as her father placed his hand on the ebony velvet bag, the only item in the center of the small table covered in black. Even from where I stood, I could tell her body was swaying. Her lips were drawn, her face pale even in the twinkling lights. She was pissed.
As Christian approached, the new patriarch of the entire Sacred Sect, the only people clapping were the community members. Perhaps the other guests were too afraid or too incensed. My brother had certainly acquired a huge number of enemies during the last year. As quiet settled over the entire group, I could still hear my heart beating rapidly, my pulse increasing.
“I am very proud of my daughter. I want to thank everyone for being here for this wonderful occasion. We all have so much to be thankful for. Let’s all raise a glass in toast to her twenty-fourth birthday. May God keep us safe and protected, wealthy and wise.”
The last words I’d heard my entire life for every celebration. Every christening. Every marriage. Every birthday. My God, nothing had changed.
“Hear, hear!”
“Yes.”
“Happy birthday.”
The wishes were all said with hope and happiness, as if Winter’s misery was the only way to continue bringing them joy and power. I raised my glass in solidarity as Christian tipped his head in my direction, his eyes boring into mine. A part of me was furious with him in particular, but this was our way.
An honor.
I wanted to choke on the thought.
Christian approached the table slowly, others lowering their head in reverence. While he wore a four-thousand-dollar suit instead of secular clothing, he’d assumed the part, accepting his role as king of the court with vigor. Very slowly he slid the Box from the bag and as I’d expected, he removed the ancient artifact from his breast pocket, a glorious jeweled knife. The piece was just another reminder of the old ways. Taking his time, he brought the Box closer for examination, turning it back and forth.
I hissed under my breath. I could tell by the expressions on Mr. and Mrs. O’Brien that they had no idea what to expect, her father already inebriated in order to tolerate the event. I couldn’t say I blamed him.
“The seal is intact.” Christian’s words reverberated throughout the tent.
Thank God he didn’t attempt to bless the damn wooden thing, or I would have wrapped my hand around my brother’s throat. I could hear the subtle laughter under her breath and noticed the harsh expression on her father’s face. Why were my hackles raised even more?
I glanced at the various guests, easily able to tell the sect members from outsiders by the confused looks on their faces. While one tenacious reporter had mentioned the ritual months before, he’d only learned a small portion of what the contents could mean.
And the power the Box could wield.
His fifteen minutes of fame had been replaced with other news, eliminating the focus on our community.
For now.
Unfortunately, the man’s tenacity had been rewarded with his murder at the hands of the Taglioni family. My brother would call the horrific action an olive branch. I’d called it a bargaining chip.
As far as tonight, Christian was risking another glorified piece in one of the local newspapers or magazines. Perhaps that’s exactly what he wanted, although I knew he would control whatever was said.
The entire situation was getting more interesting by the minute.
After slitting the seal, Christian handed the plain wooden piece to Winter, her hands shaking as she accepted her damning present. I had a feeling her body’s reaction was out of rage and not fear. He stood back, folding his hands together as almost everyone else in close proximity inched even closer. The damn smile on his face was plastic, a man merely assuming the part.
I could barely stomach the entire procession.
Winter took a deep breath then shifted her gaze around the room, her eyes full of venom. I’d attended four of these blasphemous events and the other three times the girls seemed to accept their honor as if the