I glare at him, and before I can open my mouth, the timer goes off. Like well-trained livestock, the Feeders rise and turn towards the sunlit courtyard.
I stand, and as I move to join them, a Bleeder intercepts me and says, “Feeder zero-zero-eight, you are to be escorted back to your room.”
Jax touches my shoulder with a smile. “You should rest. You had a rough night.”
I look back to the Bleeder and nod.
While my friends make their way to the courtyard, I turn away and follow the Bleeder out of the mess and back to my room. Overwhelming tiredness washes over me, and a stinging ache throbs in my neck, though it somehow feels more like pleasure than pain. The Bleeder opens the door for me, and I collapse on Cole’s bed, too tired to reach mine.
The Bleeder waits at the door. My gaze drifts to him, and he says, “The god would like to see you tonight, but wants you to know you’re not obliged if you don’t want to. However, if you agree, tomorrow will be another day of peace.”
I grip my shirt. “Is it the same nightwalker?”
“Yes. The god left a letter on the bed.”
My breath shakes on the inhale, then burns on the way out. An ache fills my mouth, thickening my saliva. I want to tell the Bleeder to fuck off, but I didn’t get to ask the nightwalker what he saw in my memories, so this might be my chance.
“Did the letter say anything else?”
“That he enjoyed your company and would like to see you again. That was all.”
Pressing my lips inward on a deep breath, I exhale and say, “Okay.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ANTHESIS
Engaging in sexual activity with a Feeder is prohibited. If you desire them as your mate, you must turn them into a nightwalker. Failing to do so is punishable by death.
— Serun’s Law
“She has bloomed,”Mum says as she kneels before the altar inside the church. Candlelight dances down the aisle and flickers on either side of the pews, as if listening.
I stand beside her, a sickening churning stirring within me. Before me is a statue of a woman. Water spills from her eyes in thick silver tears, and flames rise from underneath her feet. Mum says this woman sacrificed herself to keep us safe. Whenever I step into this church, it feels as if a thousand eyes are watching me.
“Yes, we will begin the ceremony after I give birth. Hope says it’s another girl. So, we will wait.”
I glance up at the statue, unsure whether Mum is talking to herself or someone I cannot see or hear.
“Kneel, daughter,” Mum whispers.
Dropping to my knees and clasping my hands before me, I bow my head and listen, straining to hear what my mother is hearing. The candle flames continue to flicker around us, and the wind howls outside. As I take a deep breath in and let it out, a crackling sound stirs in my ear.
Insects scurry through blades of grass, and petals of muted hues unfurl as they bloom. It all weaves around me until I taste soil in my mouth, the sting of bugs breaking the skin, and blooming moonflowers spill from my back.
Through the ethereal noise, a voice like silk says, “Pir avacen.”
“You’re seeing the nightwalkeragain?” Cole hisses as I lean forward on the bed. From the corner of my eye, I catch sight of Manni and Emily wearing matching expressions of disbelief. “Do youwantto die?”
I grab Cole’s arm and shuffle closer to him. The potent and irritating scent of tangy sweat tickles my nose. He has been sitting in the sun again. “They gave me juice. They gave me fuckingpancakes! I can share it with you tomorrow—with all of you!”
He glares at me. “But that’s not why you’re doing it. You’ve been acting weird…”
Letting go of his arm, I plant my hands on the edge of the mattress and glare over at the Bleeder waiting for me by the door. “I was bitten. That bite left something on myskin. I want answers—to learn what it all means.” I lower my voice to make sure the Bleeder can’t hear me. “Because when we make our escape, the last thing I need is to risk having any connection to him.”
“Fair.” Emily grabs her pillow, props it between her knees and then wraps her arms around it. “I’d rather not have a nightwalker stalking us out there.”
Manni nods. “If Jax gets mad over it, we will defend you, Saya.”
