Fuck, what is she doing here?
Does she know what this is—what danger she’s in?
Dotheyknow who she is? Would she still be alive if they did?
Or maybe that’s why they’re letting her sit in. Maybe they think I’ll choose the other offering, and they’ll be able to remove her from the equation, saving Avernia from imaginary collapse, if she tries to violate the unwritten pact barring an Anderson and Incarnate from coupling.
The way our ancestors did—Cronus and Manon, the last two surviving members of the original founders.
Their union had caused destruction, shaking Fury Hill to its foundation. Even outside the belief in the curse, Duponts were expressly forbidden from interacting with Andersons, which is why I tried so hard to stay away.
Why I didn’t want them to know about her.
But I can’t just let them take her from me. Iwon’tlet them.
My options are limited. If I ignore her, they’ll make her the sacrifice for sure. If I step in…
Clearing my throat, I walk toward them. The Director watches me like a hawk, unyielding in her perusal.
“Is there a problem?” she asks.
“Let them go,” I say, approaching the infuriating, troublesome temptress hidden behind that costume. “Take them to the back rooms and I’ll make my decision there.”
The Director shakes her head. “It’s not that simple. You have to?—”
“I know what I have to do,” I cut in sharply, bending so I’m eye level with Elle. From here, her hazel irises sparkle in the torch lighting, glistening with unshed tears as if she thinks I’ve somehow saved her.
When I reach out to take her chin, she relaxes slightly.
For some reason, it makes me feel a bit better too.
What happens next doesn’t.
“I accept,” I tell the Director over my shoulder, though I’m too nauseous to meet her gaze. “Sanguis meus tibi.”
Surprise flickers in the Director’s eyes. She lifts an arm, instructing the crowd to rise to their feet before sweeping it low. The crowd bends, bowing, each of them flipping over like dominos in favor of their new leader.
Their Incarnate.
“Welcome,” the Director says, ducking her own head. “We’ve been waiting for?—”
“I have a condition.” Straightening to my full height, I turn to face her. “Since I’ve had this sprung on me, I’d like the opportunity to prepare more. Extend the deadline for my choice and allow me more time to decide which offering deserves to be at my side.”
“That’s highly unorthodox.”
“I’m aware, but that is how I wish to do things. On my own time. This is an important decision, and it shouldn’t be made in the heat of the moment. We haven’t survived this long without proper vetting of our members, and we shouldn’t cut corners for our leaders.”
“I’m certain the recruiter did his due diligence?—”
“You have my condition. In turn, should you grant this wish, I will take a more active role as Incarnate and…” I swallow, mouth dry, as I glance at the second masked figure. My chest aches. “I will personally deliver the sacrifice for the joining ceremony.”
35
ELLE
The restof the night is a blur.
I experience it in snapshots, like photographs being taken where the flash blinds my eyes. I’m not even sure this is a night I want to remember, but when I’m led to this small, secluded area off the larger cavern, leaving Sabrina somewhere behind, I realize there isn’t much choice.
