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I close the distance between us. “I’d rather it be me than you.”

She shakes her head. “No. Just… get somewhere safe.”

“Did you not read what we just found? What if they—Jordie, no.” I attempt to stop her again, but she gives me a warning stare.

I drop her hand, nodding once. She wants to do this. This is hers to finish.

And with that, the cursed hallways swallow her.

I take two steps at a time climbing the stairs to the balcony. I need to keep my eyes on her; I don’t want to miss a second. Asher and Blake have gone to retrieve Cassie and take her to the warehouse; there’s no telling what’s about to happen, she and the baby need to be kept safe. The Devil himself knows we’re going to need it tonight. Waiters look at me like they’re seeing a ghost, but I’m not surprised. I’m completely covered in blood, after all. But I’m not the sacrifice tonight.

I spot Jordie in the crowd immediately, her shoulders rise and fall with every step as her fingers play with the material of her skirt by the knife. Staff are wheeling in gold trolleys of dishes covered with a cloche.

“Where is my bride?” a voice booms, and I know exactly who it belongs to. The crowd parts into a circle around the middle, right where the staff are heading to. My gut drops as they reveal a huge pentagon painted on the floor, the golden trolleys placed on each point of the star. Jordie is none the wiser to the symbol she’s walking on, shoving people out of her way as the crowd squeezes tighter around her, and neither is she fazed about Samuel’s demanding question.

This isn’t a fucking wedding.

This is a sacrifice. They’re going to sacrifice her.

“Fuck,” I hiss as I watch her reach the edge of the circle where Samuel spots her. He grips Jordan’s elbow and starts dragging her into the middle. She tries to fight him, but she doesn’t put much into it.

She’s got this, Kain.

I’m right here. I will jump over this fucking bannister if I need to. My head becomes light, hands squeezing on the wood as I watch them. Then, the cloches are taken off, revealing…

Blood.

Body parts.

Limbs, fingers, teeth.

And at the tip of the pentagon is Lacey’s head. Eyes gouged out, mouth stretched over a small animal skull. My gut rolls with nausea.

What the actual fuck.

That’s enough. I wanted to let her do this, but I can’t fucking watch it.

A firm grip lands on my neck just as Samuel’s sleazy hands pull Jordie in and they start dancing. The grip forces me slightly further over the barrier, a deep voice grumbling in my ear. “Watch as your precious stepsister gets claimed in front of everyone.” He ends on a melody.

My blood simmers at Dorrian’s voice. I attempt to twist out of his grip, but he’s caught onto me firmly. I swing my head back and I clock him in the nose, causing him to grunt and let me go. I twist immediately watching as he cradles his face hunched over.

“You’re done here, Dorrian.” My breaths come in shallow as I cock my fist and land a blow to his stomach.

I knew they were corrupt. But this is much, much worse. And Dorrian knew. Knew this entire time. Was a part of it.

I should’ve taken her and run when I had a feeling.

But I fucking didn’t. And now we’re here.

Jordan

“Where is your wedding dress?” Samuel growls as his firm hand on my back keeps me glued to him.

My heart is in overdrive as I keep eye contact, finding the right moment to attack while fighting to keep my face neutral.

“Ready to be burned,” I mumble.

My cunt still feels stuffed from Kain, but I welcome it. Let it drive me.