The tiny hairs on the back of my neck rise.
Ivy stares at the floor, her lips clamped between her teeth. Despite my silent prod at her to look up, her focus doesn’t stray from the ground.
Sabine chuckles low in her throat. I spare another glance at Chase, but his focus is straight ahead, muscles spasming in his cheeks as his jawline protrudes with a hard, tongue-severing clench.
“You must be wondering, foolish girl, why I’m not exiling you for your disobedience.”
At last, I meet her stare. “I’m not your show pony. You got your binder back. So, kick me out, or I’ll walk out myself.”
Sabine’s cheeks tic with amusement. “You’ve accepted our invitation, meaning, there is no possible way for you to walk out. It is up to me whether to banish you, but I’m inclined to provide you with a choice. Since your acceptance here at Briarcliff, you’ve been consumed by us. Hungry for our history and societal formation. And now, I hold articles of your mother in my hands.” Sabine lifts the binder, dangling the weight easily, despite her waif-like stature. “I doubt you’re willing to leave it all behind.”
I remain closed-lipped, but Sabine sees past it. She smiles. “Stay and prove this was all a misunderstanding, dear girl. Fall into our ranks and learn our history and all we have to offer. Or, attempt to sever your connection with us and see how far that gets you.”
Her veiled threat doesn’t hit its mark. She won’t kill me if I leave.
Piper wasn’t killed by the Virtues—it was Addisyn, her sister. Howard Mason is still alive, according to Chase, and after what I’ve seen in the bedroom behind the fireplace, Sabine likes her Virtues alive, well, and complacent.
Sabine could be calling my bluff.
But as I hold her cool, depthless stare, a tinned, inner voice asks, Is she, though?
“You have too many qualities that can’t be ignored,” Sabine explains. She passes the binder to Ivy, who moves to set it on her desk. “Curiosity, stubbornness, pride, determination, instinctive intelligence—the type of traits that cannot be taught, and which we Virtues covet. It is only your foolishness I must confront, and I can do that easily. So, I either ban you from our society, or I keep you as planned, and thus seal your lips from ever speaking of the Virtues. Or the Nobles, I suppose.”
Sabine includes the Nobles with the reluctant tone of including a neglected, middle child.
I jump on the opening. “What is Chase doing here? If the punishment is for me and involves the Virtues, why keep everyone here at all?”
“Oh, child.” Sabine gifts me with another serpentine smile. “Breaking you will be so much sweeter than allowing you to cleave yourself from the Virtues.”
The image of the adjacent room curdles into my mind, its implications turning those sickening bubbles into pops of acid. Sabine’s using some of these girls by offering them out for sex.
I can’t leave now. Not after discovering what Ivy is forced to do to keep her place as a Virtuous princess and save her family from poverty.
As if sensing my silent answer, Sabine grins. Gestures me forward. “Come.”
Sabine’s dress swishes against the stone floor as she spins, her gait over cobblestones unusually smooth as she leads us to the door to the inner temple.
I step toward Chase, but he stops me with a searing, bone-rattling look, then gives a minuscule shake of his head. Don’t.
Then, as if he hadn’t communicated with me at all, he stalks to his sister’s side and grasps her outstretched, shaking hand, murmuring into her ear.
Emma relaxes under her brother’s protection, her shudders visibly subsiding.
Sabine pauses at the doorway. “Are you coming, Calla Lily?”
There’s pressure at my back, Eden nudging me forward. “Go,” she whispers. “We have no choice.”
I risk one more glance at Chase before tottering forward, wondering if Sabine’s focus on me means the rest of them can get out unscathed.
Foolish girl is right. There’s no way Sabine will let bygones be bygones.
The large door guarded by the stone raven slides open, and Sabine disappears into the temple. When I follow her out with my friends at my back, I pause mid-stride and look up at the gold cloaks surrounding the balcony, interspersed with the black velvet of the Nobles.
I gulp, scanning the faceless heads and shapeless cloaks. This can’t be good.
They’re all here.
20
Sabine comes to a halt at the center of the temple, sweeping her arms out and raising her head to her audience. “My children, it seems as though we have a minor interlude before we continue our formal winter celebration in the Nobles’ tomb. Calla Lily Ryan thinks she can thwart our rules and bring in outsiders to learn our secrets.”
The room erupts in chants of “altum volare in tenebris,” masculine and feminine voices mixing into an eerie, unisex chant.
I lift my gaze to the rafters, at the mingling of black and gold velvet, for the first time becoming subjected to the Nobles’ scrutiny. Up until now, it was always the Virtues who tested my boundaries and stripped my soul. Other than Chase, the Nobles were ignorant of my initiation, or so I thought.
Yet here they are, about to witness my final trial.
Sabine clucks her tongue, disapproval etched into the thin lines of her face as she watches my hesitant and wary study of the room. “Come, dear girl.” But her eyes sharpen. “Don’t keep us from the night longer than you already have.”
Fingers brush against mine, the same touch I beheld at the dance, identical callouses sending a reassuring stroke over my skin.
I feel Chase’s knuckles against my palm before stepping forward and pretending nineteen sets of eyes aren’t staring at the top of my head, salivating over my potential demise.
Was every member made aware of our plans tonight? Is Tempest up there somewhere? I risk another glance above. Which one of these Cloaks haunted my dorm room at night, taking what they wanted while I slept?
With every step I take, I curse my weakness for authority. My need for companionship. I should be sprinting for the door.
Yet, I walk forward, summoned by the crook of Sabine’s finger, pushed by my dread over what will happen to Eden, Emma, Ivy—Chase—if I don’t bow down and take my spanking like a good, chastised girl.
No wonder my mom and Ahmar always worked alone. Almost nothing could be used against them if an angry criminal decided to take revenge.
Except … Mom’s dead.
As I move closer to Sabine, I’m positive that putting trust in others is vastly becoming my greatest mistake.
A flash of black alerts me to motion at my periphery. I turn. Daniel Stone waltzes out of another hidden entrance, his hood flipped back, his red cloak floating from the breeze of his prowl. When his pale eyes find mine, cold, skeletal fingers wrap themselves around my neck.
Daniel Stone’s footsteps echo throughout the temple until he comes to a stop beside Sabine. No sounds emanate from the balcony, no murmurs or shuffles. Complete, utter quiet has stifled all the bodies in this room, every single person, including me, choosing their senses over their motions as events unfold.
Sabine reaches out a hand, which Daniel clasps. “Just in time, Daniel. It seems our Calla Lily needs a lesson in loyalty.”
Daniel casts his gaze—briefly—in my direction. “Do as you wish, my love.”
An answering growl sounds from behind. It’s Chase.
Sabine says, “I’m afraid you’re faced with another choice, Initiate.”
A litany of possibilities fan through my mind. Back to the boathouse? Falyn’s unfettered access to me during school hours? Free reign on my dorm room and locker to plant additional rodent corpses?
I wonder where Marron is, and if he’s up there with the others, closed-mouthed and his interest piqued.
I keep my voice level when I ask, “And that is?”
“It’s obvious to me, and everyone else in this temple, that consequence to you is—well, of no consequen
ce. It is only if someone else, a person close to you, suffers, that you deign to give obedience any attention at all.” Sabine angles her head, adding, “Isn’t that right?”
I cover up my wince, but not in time. Sabine’s tongue runs along her lower lip at the sight. “The minute Ivy admitted your transgression, I started to wonder, should I punish your father? Your stepmother?” She arches a brow. “Your unborn sister?”
Horrible thumps rattle against my ribcage. I beg my body to stay calm. Don’t satisfy her by freaking out.
“Sadly, they’re not here.” Sabine over-emphasizes a pout. “And I do enjoy a show. Therefore, I am putting your pathetic accomplices up for auction, instead.”
A hollow feeling engulfs my center, and I fist my hands in an attempt to keep my hopes from drifting. “Don’t do this. We didn’t read anything. Discover anything.”
“Oh, but I must. Eden, come up to me, please. And dear Emma, come join your former queen. It’s been so long since we’ve been close.”
Emma’s eyelids fly shut, as if by falling into forced blindness, she can exit this nightmare.
“Don’t make me bring out reinforcements,” Sabine purrs, but it’s the sound of a cat toying with a long-dead mouse.
Gently, Chase pushes at his sister’s shoulder, ushering her forward. Yet, the look on his face, fury-born and relentless, leaves me to believe that Sabine thought of everything she could in order to get away with this. Otherwise, Chase would torch this moment and gladly drag his sister from the wreckage he wrought.
“And Chase, handsome prince of the Nobles, you too,” Sabine says.
Daniel interjects before Chase can react. “That is not what we agreed.”
“I promise you will be very amenable to these new terms, my love,” Sabine says, “when you discover that these two have not been keeping apart as ordered.”
Silence descends in the room. Daniel’s voice comes out as a quiet whoosh of steel. “Is this true, son?”
Chase cuts a look in my direction, but I keep my expression blank, my thoughts bland. They can’t read it in my face. I will never let them see how I feel for him. Never again.
Chase shakes his head. “I haven’t touched her since we got what we wanted, Father.”
“Liar!” Sabine shrieks, and for the first time, her face twists to reflect the Medusa she harbors inside, the jealous, reckless, awful recluse of a woman who’s lost both her daughters and only has this empty stone temple to show for it.
A lupine, toothless grin stretches across Chase’s face. “Prove it. Mom.”
Sabine’s cheeks blotch to a startling red. She opens her mouth—
“Enough.” Daniel comes between them. “If my boy says he’s been following orders, then I trust him. He’s well aware of the penalty that will follow if he doesn’t.”
Sabine breathes, in and out, through her nose. “That may be the case, but he’s still required to stand among these fools as one of Calla Lily’s choices. Then we’ll see if these two have severed their emotional ties.”
Daniel studies his future wife. They share a long look. Then, to my disappointment, he says, “I’ll allow it. Come over here, boy.”
Chase’s focus slides over me as he passes, but soon, I’m left with nothing but the freshwater scent of his wake.
No one’s behind me anymore. I’m standing alone.
Sabine preens in the middle of the group, settling her stare on each and every prize, before barreling into mine. “Everyone has their greatest fear, don’t you agree?”
I swallow. Nod. I’m so tense, my shoulder blades touch.
“I’ve yet to fully realize yours, but here are people you’ve gotten to know. Become friends with, even found a lover in one. With that comes the privilege of sensing their desires, their flaws, and the one thing that will bring them down.”
My teeth clench so hard, my jaw shakes with effort, but I force my lips to relax. My stare to remain benign.
Sabine continues, “If you are to prove yourself as a Virtue—that you are worthy of the title—then you have one way to redeem yourself. Choose one of these three to endure your final trial by submitting them to their greatest fear.” Sabine smiles, slow, full, and bright. “You are about to prove exactly why I’m keeping you as one of us. Because you’ve catalogued, with certainty, each and every one of their terrors. Emma. Eden. Chase. Haven’t you?”
She can’t be right.
But … as if charming a cobra from its basket, my mind betrays me.
I know their fears.
My cheeks go numb. Sabine watches me so closely, her eyes burn when she notes the flicker of realization in my expression.
“Good girl,” she murmurs. “Now tell us which one.”
Unable to withstand looking at her anymore, I lock eyes with my friends. With Emma, exuding terror through her pores, her face so pale, every burn mark and scar can be mapped. Eden is next to her, head bowed, hair falling forward, but what she’s endured is written all over her body—the baggy clothes, the full coverage of her arms, legs … and face.
Lastly, I come upon Chase.
He meets my study, unwavering and sure. The bronze of his irises darken to a hellish degree and are as intense as black fire licking at my cheeks. His forehead smooths and his lips are one line, closed and silent, but I can read what he wants.
I could understand his wishes even with my eyes closed.
Choose me.
I forget to breathe in those painful seconds of searching my friends.
His nostrils flare as if to say, I can take it.
My fingers ache to touch him. No. You can’t.
Because I’m sure of what will kill him, what will make him suffer the most.
… and I don’t think he has any idea of the fear I know lives inside him.
21
“My patience wears thin, child.” Sabine folds her arms, and in the din of the temple, nothing but the cracks and pops of flaming sconces sound out between her words.
I don’t want to choose. Eden and Emma have both endured so much, and Chase … Chase’s childhood sounds like an endless SEAL training camp ruled by his father.
How could I subject them to more?
“I choose me,” I say.
Sabine chuckles, while Daniel Stone sighs. “My dear,” he says, “as much as the books and movies make sacrifice such a bold delight to watch, that is not what we encourage within these societies, especially as a test of loyalty. We battle wills, we push emotions, and we force strength. Those are most encouraged through the sacrifice of others—while the one we test watches.”
“What my love has failed to mention,” Sabine adds, “is that we will choose for you if you do not.”
Saliva coats my mouth, thick and bitter as venom. Scanning the faces, I keep thinking no. Emma: no, Eden: no, Chase—
His confidence settles into my center—steady, stable, and sure.
Chase is the one who can take it. Chase emulates the three traits the Nobles embrace: strong will, controlled emotion, incredible strength. But … can I?
Chase won’t back down. Even as my choice scrambles, stretching and fracturing among the three of them, he won’t break.
I grasp at one last chance by focusing on Ivy, but her expression doesn’t hold support or assistance. It can’t.
I go back to Chase, holding his stare as I would the delicate petals of an ink-dipped rose.
“Chase,” I say to him, my voice rough and uneven. “I choose Chase.”
He nods, offering reassurance where there is none.
“How shocking,” Sabine says as she glides forward. “And as our newest Virtuous initiate, tell me, what is his greatest fear?”
Sabine’s body blocks my view of him, but I can predict what he’s assuming I’ll say. His greatest fear is losing his sister … or … he’s afraid he’ll lose his leadership of the Nobles … or … he’s afraid of his father.
But those are all abstract fears, relating to the future, where time is always variable an
d risky. Those fears could be conquered through making one single, tailored change.
Deep in my soul, I know that’s not what Sabine wants.
No, if I’m to prove myself as a Virtue, then… “Small spaces.”
The room seems to sigh, each person’s inhale mixing with their neighbors’ until it fills the lungs of the entire temple.
Sabine tips her head, her lashes eclipsing over her eyes in careful consideration. Daniel frowns behind her, and Chase—I can’t see Chase.
“Are you certain?” Sabine asks.
My lips are dry, seeming to crack open and bleed with each breath. “Yes. He’s claustrophic.”
Sabine turns her head to Daniel, her neck long and smooth. “Darling?”
The movement brings Chase into view, long enough to witness the surprise in his eyes and the color leeching from his face before he forces his features into such hardened determination, the remaining blood can’t escape.
Look at me. I’m so sorry, Chase. I’m so—
But he no longer has eyes for me.
My stomach pitches, and I fist a hand under my ribcage.
“Then I have just the thing,” Sabine says. “Don’t you agree, Daniel?”
Daniel’s lips are bloodless slashes in his angular face. “Yes. But I’ll say this, Sabine. It is better for all of us if you exile the girl, not punish my son.”
“Strong words coming from a man who dismissed the idea of self-sacrifice as concession stand fodder,” Sabine purrs.
“I’m simply—”
“Are you questioning my authority?” Sabine asks him. “In the presence of our young members? Or is your hesitancy to offer up your son merely proving why the Virtues have become more powerful in recent years?”
Daniel sets his jaw. “Do not do this here.”
“Do what?” Sabine asks, too innocently.
“Make me bring up your daughters.”
In an instant, the air in the temple becomes thick, heavy. Ominous. But I use their bickering to try to catch Chase’s eye, but he won’t even toss a look in my direction. Or anywhere. He stands behind his father, staring at nothing, while his sister murmurs to him.
Fiend (Briarcliff Secret Society Series Book 3) Page 16
