I was certain on that table was where the Black Claw made their sacrifices to Droga. It made me sick to look at.
At the room’s head was a dark, raised bench, similar to a courtroom. Thirteen lengthy figures in dark black hoods stood on the bench, looking down upon us like they were our overlords.
My throat felt parched and choked. After all these years, I’d finally found the cult… but never in my darkest dreams did I imagine I’d be in this situation, posed as a pig for slaughter. One false move, and they’d kill us all. I’d have to play the ruse well.
It was a good thing Emma and I had practice at being exceptional liars.
Callista strode to the center of the room, and bowed before the acolytes. “I’ll leave you to them,” she said. She turned on her heel and left through another door, abandoning us to our fate.
“Alexei Valeri.” The hooded figure in the middle spoke first, his voice deep and booming. “You have some nerve showing your face around here.”
The acolyte threw back his hood. At the cultist’s face, I gave a start. I knew him. I’d met him before. He’d been covered in blood and tied up when last I saw him, but the aging face and dark eyes I’d recognize anywhere.
“I apologize, Acolyte Vesper,” Alexei said, and he knelt to the floor on one knee. “I hadn’t seen the light until now.”
An acolyte beside Vesper scoffed. It was a woman, eyebrows thin and arching. “Why should we not kill you now, Alexei? Give us one reason.”
“I understand my actions were treasonous, Acolyte Xantha. To make up for my absence, I bring these three as an offering, tributes to the family who wish to join our cause.” Alexei gestured to the three of us, and we remained silent. “I have gone out into the world and recruited more people to our family. Hopefully this will earn your forgiveness.”
The acolytes looked between each other, but it was Vesper who spoke. “Our family is one of acceptance.”
Alexei’s shoulders remained taut, and I knew no forgiveness was truly given. They were keeping Alexei alive as a lesson, to show the other cultists that even if you succeeded in leaving, the effort would be futile, because you’d always come back.
“But we do not welcome you back with open arms,” Acolyte Xantha broke in. “Your treachery will have to be punished.”
Alexei nodded. “Do with me as you see fit.”
“It is not you who will bear the brunt of the punishment, but your mate.” Acolyte Vesper gestured to Kiara. She stood tall, but Alexei’s face blanched.
He stepped in front of her. “You can’t blame her for what I’ve done. The fault is mine for running away.”
“We can’t be sure if your intentions to join our family again are true if you’re not willing to prove it,” Acolyte Vesper replied coolly. “And what better proof can you offer us of your true intentions than your mate?”
Alexei looked like he wanted to refuse. I was sure the mission was over before it even began.
But then Kiara stepped around him, and said, “I’m willing to do whatever is needed to join the Black Claw.”
“This isn’t necessary,” Alexei insisted.
“I’m stronger than you think.” Kiara leveled Alexei with a look, then turned toward the acolyte. “I am ready to take his punishment.”
“Excellent,” Acolyte Vesper replied, and he motioned to the other acolytes. Hooded men disembarked from the bench and walked toward Kiara, extending their arms. Fear shone in her eyes as they grabbed her, but brave girl, she didn’t cry out.
Alexei went to move, to protect her. I grabbed his arm and held him back.
“Don’t,” I whispered. “We can’t blow our cover.”
Alexei’s teeth were clenched. “This is just the start of it.”
“Then endure it, and resolve to find the stone quicker, so we may get out of here.”
Alexei writhed, but I made him stay put. We observed in horror as Kiara was forced to lie upon the stone table. I was certain they were planning to sacrifice her, and we’d have to step in, before Acolyte Vesper cried, “You will be branded, in the way of the family. If Alexei does not attack us in the process, we shall know he came here for the right reasons.”
A cultist pulled a knife out of his cloak. He muttered an incantation over it, and the blade glowed white-hot with illusion magic. Another cultist yanked down one side of her pants, exposing her hip bone. Kiara held her breath as a collection of cultists swarmed in, pinning her legs and arms down.
The cultist with the knife pressed it into Kiara’s skin, and she began to scream. Smoke and the smell of burning flesh rose into the air, twisting my stomach.
I reached out to grab Emma’s hand. She pressed a hand to her mouth and held back tears as she watched the acolyte brand Kiara with a grim, almost ecstatic satisfaction. Emma’s body was tensed, ready to spring. By only the gods’ help did she remain still.
