After what feels like an eternity, they stop. “We accept your oath and welcome you into the Luminary family. You may kiss us.”
What the what? My head automatically turns to Mom as firm fingers grip my chin, forcing my face back around. The man shoves his hand in front of my face, and a shuddering breath leaves my lips when I realize they mean kiss their hands.
Oh, thank fuck.
I never want to know what old man tongue feels like in my mouth.
One by one, I kiss their hands, working hard to contain my shiver of disgust.
“You may stand,” the last man says, and I rise awkwardly and inelegantly to my feet, my knees half numb from kneeling for so long.
“Come with us.” My uncle takes my left hand as a different man takes my right.
I keep my head up, my shoulders back, and my gaze straight as we walk toward the table. Nerves are firing at me from all angles as I feel copious eyeballs locked on my naked body.
“I am the Greed & Gluttony Luminary,” Rhett Carter says, lifting me up onto the edge of the table. He lowers his hood, letting me see his face. He’s handsome for an older guy with dirty-blond hair and brown eyes. He’s around my dad’s age, if I had to guess, so early forties. He stares at my face with a neutral expression, but his eyes drill into mine as if he’s trying to burrow his way into my skull and hear what I’m thinking.
Behind him, my uncle moves in the direction of the fire pit.
“Knight.” Rhett Carter’s voice elevates as he calls his son forward.
My neighbor, a guy I was only introduced to on Saturday at the party, steps up beside his father. He lowers his hood and looks at my face. I appreciate that both men don’t gawk at my body.
“This is my heir, Knight Carter. I believe you have already met.” I nod, and Knight gives me a little jerk of his head before returning to his position in line.
Another man steps up beside Rhett. He too lowers his hood, fixing me with a ravenous smile as his gaze roams my body from head to toe.
Perverted prick.
I channel my inner Pamela and stare straight ahead while he drinks his fill.
“I am Walter Salinger, the Pride & Wrath Luminary,” he says, puffing out his chest. “And this is my son and heir, Tobias,” he adds as another guy I just met comes up alongside him.
Toby leers at me, licking his lips as he feasts on my breasts and my pussy. He makes no attempt to disguise his interest. He’s a good-looking guy, but his inner ugliness shines through, negating any attractiveness. He makes my skin crawl, and it’s hard not to cover myself or punch him in the nuts.
Angry whispering tickles my eardrums as vile Toby continues ogling me like I’m his next meal.
“Quiet.” Eric Stewart’s command rings out around the room, and the whispering stops. He comes up in front of me as Toby reluctantly walks away. “I am the Lust & Envy Luminary.” A gorgeous guy with dark hair and Jase’s green eyes approaches, and Eric introduces him. “This is Balthazar Stewart, my eldest son and heir.”
More heated murmurs are exchanged in the background, and I’m guessing it’s Jase and Bree.
Eric Stewart’s expression doesn’t alter as he turns around, leveling his gaze to the left, and the murmurs stop again.
Walter Salinger smirks. Rhett Carter looks like he’s two seconds from murdering someone, and Eric Stewart looks unconcerned and disinterested. My uncle is still doingwhateverover at the fire pit, so I can’t see his reaction.
Unlike the Salingers, Jase’s father and brother don’t ogle me, keeping their attention focused above my neck. I appreciate it until I realize what I’m thinking and dismiss it. They may not be outwardly ogling me, but they are still facilitating this humiliation.
Baz walks away a few seconds later, and then it’s my uncle and cousin’s turn.
“I am the Sloth Luminary,” James says, peering deep into my eyes. His expression conveys no familiarity. The cold dead look in his eyes mirrors my mother’s when she’s wearing her mask, and I don’t know how I didn’t spot the family resemblance before. “And this is my heir, Julia.”
I stare straight through her as she fixes me with a smug grin, her eyes sweeping over my body in a derisory fashion. I hold my breath for a few seconds until she walks away and Uncle James returns to the fire pit. Then it’s only me and The Luminaries around the table. My uncle comes forward, wearing heavy gloves and carrying a black cast-iron stick with a raised circular piece at the end.
All the blood drains from my face. Maybe I should be grateful it’ll be far quicker than a needle, but it’s going to hurt like a bitch.
ChapterThirty-Four
Ashley
