A man in a red cloak, mask like the one I'm wearing, comes out of nowhere. He wears a thick, red glove that runs to his elbow. He lifts one of the rods out of the cauldron. Sean's father's skull glows hot.
So this is how Sean and Zara got their marks.
"Step forward," the judge orders.
I don't see any way out. I curl my fist and put it on the table.
Two men hold my arm.
"Repeat after me," another judge orders, then begins reciting, "By the power of my blood and the oath of my name, I pledge my loyalty to The Underworld."
I don't want to say it. Every syllable tastes like betrayal.
Sean is somewhere in this madness.
He'll have my back if it comes down to it.
One thing Finn taught me is that life is a chessboard. Sometimes, to win, you move a piece you hate.
I spit the words, "By the power of my blood and the oath of my name, I pledge my loyalty to The Underworld."
Lies.
The judge continues, "From this moment, I stand as brother, soldier, and weapon."
Fuck you. I'll stand next to you and slit your throat someday, brother.
I repeat, "From this moment, I stand as brother, soldier, and weapon."
He continues, "I obey the Omni. I guard the table. I honor the skull."
I repeat it all. Every word. Crafting in my head what I'll do to all these people.
No matter what they burn into me, my loyalty belongs to Sean, to Finn, to the people who raised me and bled with me. These vows are noise. A sick, theatrical ceremony that means nothing.
They think this means they own me?
They don't.
When the last line leaves my mouth, the judge nods. "So it is vowed."
The crowd holds its breath.
Valentina directs, "Bite on the wood."
I put it in my mouth.
The blazing orange-red skull moves toward me, ready to claim my flesh.
My stomach flips. I clamp my teeth on the wood.
Valentina wraps her hand around my forearm, tight and steady.
I stare at her, then feel the heat approach me.
"This mark binds you to your vows. You will carry it until death," the judge declares.
I turn in time to see the skull pressed into my hand. Steam lifts into the air, my skin sizzles, and a burnt flesh odor turns my stomach. My muscles coil, my heart slams, my vision narrows.
