He pressed a hand to his chest, pointedly not offering to shake as if I were beneath him. It was a familiar gesture, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d learned this particular maneuver from my father, who had perfected it over the years.
“Forgive me,” he said. “I am Shroud Warden Merrick Oliver.”
My blood ran cold, and I was grateful for the doorframe holding me up. Given the context of his name, I saw a lot of Penny in his face. He had hard lines in contrast to the soft openness of the younger Oliver’s features. Maybe it was my abject disdain for the hypercritical elder brother, but I couldn’t help thinking Penny got the good looks of the family.
Despite my racing thoughts, I dipped my head in respect. Crossing the second highest ranking member of the Bone Men could be a death sentence.
“It’s an honor,” I lied. Against my better judgment, I moved back and held the door open. “Please, come in. Forgive the disarray.”
As Merrick stepped inside, his eyes swept the space. “I feel it’s only fair to be honest, Kitingor?—”
“Kit,” I cut in. “Just Kit.”
He quirked a brow. “I feel it’s only fair to be honest,Kit,” he corrected. “I was surprised to hear you’d come back to us. My wife insists that she always believed you would, but the timing feels convenient.”
“Your wife is…?”
“Violette Yost.”
Small world.
“She’s quite pleased that you’ve returned,” Merrick continued. “Though I’ll withhold my own opinions for now.”
“I understand.” I motioned him toward the couch, but he remained standing while I sat. “My father and I disagreed on a lot of things. I didn’t feel like I had a place here as long as he was in charge.”
Merrick stared down his nose at me. “Vaughn’s been gone four years. Why return now?”
“Figured I’d need a peace offering.” I feigned nonchalance. “Took me a while to find a recruit to fit the bill.”
“And where is this recruit of yours?” He glanced around the room again.
Apprehension slid down my spine, and I gripped the edge of the couch cushion.
“I sent him to the market for supplies,” I said. “We were running low after the journey.”
He made a sound in the back of his throat, then smoothed the front of his robes. “Then I suppose I’ll have to meet him another time.”
The thought of telling Penny that his older brother was one of the most influential members of the Bone Men made my stomach churn. Worse yet, this confirmed my suspicions that Merrick leaving the farm right before their father’s body disappeared was no coincidence. The Bone Men had known where to find the body because a Bone Man helped bury it.
Merrick scrutinized me from head to toe as if he aimed to see through me. After several long moments, he sniffed and looked away, and I wondered if he’d found whatever he was looking for.
“Vi seems to think you could be an asset,” he said. “I’m not sure I’m inclined to agree.”
“Lucky for me you’re not the Right Hand.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them, and anger flashed across Merrick’s features.
“Well. We’ll see whathehas to say about you.” He waved a dismissive hand. “Ifhe approves of allowing you to attempt your Oaths again, you and your recruit will join the other initiates and receive your brand in one month’s time.”
I shook my head firmly. “My recruit is here to offer his services to the cause, not to undertake initiation. And I’ve already completed the first Oath.”
His smile was a bit too smug for my comfort. “Over a decade ago, as I understand. Unfortunately, with the rest of your Oaths incomplete, you’ll need to start over. Renew your commitment, as it were.”
It had been too much to hope they would accept my inked-over brand and let me slide by to the second Oath. They wouldn’t care that I still remembered the words spoken over me as each piece of iron had seared into my flesh or that I could taste the bile that had filled my mouth as I repeated them back. After all, to suffer was to honor Eeus. What better way to reaffirm my dedication to him than to suffer a second time?
I did my best not to show that his revelation had rattled me. “Of course. I understand,” I said, and it was a wonder I managed to keep my voice level.
“Good.” His malicious smile didn’t waver. “Then I’ll leave you to prepare. I’m sure the Right Hand will send for you soon enough.”
Merrick turned, and I started to rise, but he held out a hand to stop me.
