“I’m dying it back after the ceremony. I like not being a blonde.”
Mom sighs, looking down at my face as she rubs the treatment into my hair. “I know you like being independent, and I hate asking you to conform, but you must, Ashley. There will be a spotlight on your head in the coming months. Pick your battles wisely.” She pauses to let that sink in before continuing. “Your case is pretty unique. Most all your peers have been groomed for this life since they were young. They went through initiation at ten. The board will be watching you closely, and you can’t step out of line.”
“I thought they couldn’t kill me.”
“There are other things worse than death.” Her cryptic words and clear warning filter into the silence between us.
“Why now, Mom? Why have they decided this?” I close my eyes as she massages my hair.
“It’s my fault,” she whispers, and I blink my eyes open. Tears coat her lashes. “I waited until you were eighteen to marry Richard and have his child because I thought you were safe. Everyone is initiated young and fully trained by the time they graduate high school. There is no precedence for what they are doing with you. At least not in recent times.”
“Then why are they?”
She leans back, squirting more liquid into her hands. “I presume it’s because of your Manford blood and the fact I have just been approved to return to the fold. We had to seek permission to marry because Richard is of the Stewart line and I’m of the Manford line. They agreed and told me I was pardoned for good behavior and I would be warmly welcomed back into the circle. It hadn’t been made official yet, but an announcement was forthcoming. They told me my unborn child would be born into the society, but they mentioned nothing about you. A friend suggested they were looking at you a few weeks ago, but we received no official news, and James had heard nothing, so we were hoping he was mistaken. Until I received a call yesterday.” Her features darken, and her fingers tighten on my scalp. “They told me your initiation was next week. I don’t understand why they lied or why they felt the need to kidnap you in the manner they did. I will be having stern words with my brother.”
She wraps a plastic covering over my hair before urging me to sit up. “Thank god, I hopped on a plane the second I hung up after the call.” Her jaw looks tense as she rinses her hands. “It’s happening so fast they haven’t even given us adequate time to properly prepare you. I asked for time, but it was immediately denied. The board has said you must be initiated and trained immediately. I’m sorry, honey. I wish I could have stopped it, but there is nothing anyone can do.”
Silence descends again while I mull over all of it. It’s such a crock of shit, but I have seen how Jase has been controlled despite his protests. I’m not going to get away with denying them.
“This has all been sprung on you, Ashley. I remember how much I struggled to accept everything expected of me, and I was brought up in this world, so I fully understand how challenging this will be for you, but I’m begging you.” She looks straight in my eyes. “Please go along with it. Don’t fight back or challenge them, especially on something as trivial as your hair color.”
“It’s not trivial. It’s about freedom of choice!”
She puts her hand on my shoulder. “I know, honey. Believe me, I do. For now, just promise me you’ll obey, and we’ll work something out.”
I don’t dignify that with a reply. I’m in no position to make promises to anyone, not even myself.
After the beautification is finished and my blonde hair is styled and dried, Mom hands me a gold cloak. “What’s with the different colored cloaks?” I ask, reaching for my bra and panties.
“Gold is for luminaries, silver is for masters, and black for those grunts who make up the special task force teams.”
“Degrading but functional,” I admit, moving to put my bra on.
“You can’t wear anything underneath,” Mom says, interrupting me.
I stab her with a pointed look as acid churns in my gut. “Why?” I’m pleased my voice sounds calm even if I’m anything but on the inside.
“Part of preparing for the ceremony is to be at one with nature. To exist in our raw state as we were first born in this world.”
“And?” I want her to just spit it out.
She wraps the cloak around my body. “You will be naked for your inspection.”
Bile floods my mouth. “Inspection?” I say it low, almost under my breath.
“Come.” She walks to the door, not looking at me or answering.
“Mom.” My sharp tone warns her not to bullshit me.
She exhales heavily as she casts a glance over her shoulder. “I’ll explain when we get to the ancestors’ room. Follow me.”
With little choice, I trail her back out into the main room and over to the other door. It makes a creepy, eerie sound as she pushes the door open. I stop in the doorway, staring inside in initial horror, my fear over this so-called inspection instantly forgotten. “What the hell is this place?”
“This is the ancestors’ room.” Slowly, she spins around in the circular space, encouraging me with her eyes. I take a cautious step inside the room, trying to take it all in. In the middle of the space is an ornate rustic wooden table resting on top of a stone podium. Around the edges is a row of lit candles. But it’s the walls of this room that equally fascinate me and creep me out.
“Are those real skulls?” I ask, tipping my head back and staring skyward. The room extends upward like a tower, far beyond the line of my vision. Everywhere I look, wrapped around the entirety of the walls, stretching as far as I can see, are shelves packed full of old skulls. Lights are dotted among shelves and behind some of the skulls where the eyes used to be. It’s super creepy, and a chill dances down my spine.
“Those are the skulls of every Luminary leader from each of the four families dating back for centuries.”
