“Just thinking back over the last year. Hell, the last two and a half years,” I answer as we cross the room to take our seats around the table.
I slip my hand into Liam’s and squeeze as we sit, grinning at how much he welcomes my touch. He’s still the only one doing all the tying in the bedroom, but light touches are his favorite new thing outside of the bedroom. Having two almost toddlers whose love language is putting sticky hands on your face when you least expect it is definitely a form of immersion therapy.
Returning my affection with a squeeze, Liam rubs small circles with his thumb against the back of my hand. “How long do you think we have to be in the penguin suits?” Liam mutters, adjusting the collar of his crisp white button-up tuxedo shirt.
“You’d think members of such high society would be acclimated to such clothing. Some might even say it’s the country club starter kit uniform,” I tease, and they all laugh.
The next hour goes over all the requirements for the upcoming year. I survey the room, noticing all the factions that make up the NOS. Many faces are new to me, but a few aren’t.
“Isn’t that Azrael?” Sebastian nods his head to the space to the left of us.
My gaze shifts to where a giant man whose entire face is covered in a skull tattoo sits back in his suit. He’s accompanied by three other men covered in tattoos as well. “Who are they?” I ask.
“The Lyc?an.”
I prepare to follow up with a tell me more, but Sebastian shakes his head, and Karl leans over and whispers, “A story for another day.”
“You will each find a blindfold and earplugs in the box before you. When instructed, please put these on. Anyone caught trying to violate these rules will be dealt with,” Tamara warns.
Picking up the case, I examine its contents. A silk blindfold and two black buds in a smaller container are inside. “I should bring these home,” I joke.
Sebastian’s gaze heats. “The things we could do with you while you can’t hear or see-these are coming home.”
My cheeks heat, and I clear my throat, refocusing on Tamara.
“You’ll all be called down to the center of the room, where you’ll be required to take the pledge. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be tattooed with the symbol of the Novus Ordo Seclorum on your right index finger. This will also be where your ring will go, keeping the symbol hidden,” she explains. Then she announces we’re waiting on a few more members so we can talk amongst ourselves.
We’re all laughing and talking while we wait for the induction ceremony to begin when Liam’s jovial mood morphs, his smile melting into a snarl. I attempt to spin to see what could change his demeanor so quickly, but Karl holds me in place.
“Ah, if it isn’t the beautiful Emma Bradford.” A thick Russian accent shouts, drawing Tamara’s attention.
Gritting her teeth, Tamara’s nostrils flare. “Mr. Volkov, you’re late. Please take your seat so we can finally proceed,” she commands.
Mr. Volkov hisses something in Russian before he says, “It’s such a tragedy I wasn’t able to make your acquaintance. Hopefully, that will change now that we’ll see more of each other at these events.”
“If you hope to keep your spine, I’d suggest you never try to make her acquaintance again,” Karl seethes, gripping his knife.
There’s another grunt, and then the noxious cologne assaulting my nose is gone. “Someone want to fill me in on what the fuck that was about?” I demand.
“After. Let’s get through this first, Love. We don’t want to taint the evening with the underbelly scum,” August explains.
Tamara orders us to place our masks and earplugs in, halting any protests I would’ve made about waiting.
I feel the person before their cold fingers tap my shoulder before helping me rise. The walk doesn’t last long before I hear the distinct sound of an elevator. I can feel the heat of other bodies, most of which belong to my guys.
The doors open and we file out, walking another ten steps before the smell of fire hits my nostrils. My blindfold is pulled off, and I look around the room. We’re in the inner sanctum of the NOS. Guliana and I have had meetings here over the last few months.
At the front of the room is a stage where a man prepares the branding station.
That explains the smell of fire.
A smiling Guliana signals for us to pull out the earplugs. “So glad to have you all here, finally.” Then, she approaches and hugs each of us. “I want to explain how tonight will work, as you all will have a different induction ceremony than the rest of the NOS members.”
Nodding, I move into August’s side, needing his comfort for this part. It’s bittersweet. We’re finally here, but Rowan isn’t.
“You’re all fucking fools if you think I’d ever let you win. Enjoy your love for the five seconds it’ll last.”
The words of the repulsive cunt still plague my nightmares. She’s cost us so much.
“Stay with us, Dove. It’s what Rowan would’ve wanted,” Liam encourages, but I want to tell him that if that’s the case, he should be here to tell me.
My eyes bulge from my skull when Rowan jumps from the platform, heading in Samantha’s direction.
“Rowan,” I shout, but he’s too focused to hear me.
A cry rips from my chest as I watch the scene unfold in slow motion.
Shaking my head clear, I focus on Guliana’s instructions. “We’ve moved to the private portion of the ceremony. You’ll each be called up one at a time and take the pledge.”
It’s time.
“Once you’ve done that, you will receive your brand. However, unlike the others, an invisible ink tattoo will circle it. Then the tattoo Tamara described earlier will be inked onto your finger before you receive your ring, which is only for appearance’s sake,” Guliana states.
Guliana moves to the podium, grabbing a gold metal box. Then she hands it to the man and continues. “In the meetings, no one in the room will ever know any of you are the Princeps or that Emma is the true Princep. This is what allows for your identity to remain hidden. As we discussed, you’ll fill some vacancies over the coming years. I will remain on until those spaces are filled.”
Karl steps forward and speaks, “I, Karl Preston Jefferson, swear to uphold the tenets of the Novus Ordo Seclorum. I pledge my loyalty to the Novus Ordo Seclorum. I pledge my allegiance to the mission and swear to take all I know to my grave, never divulging its secrets to nonmembers. I pledge this of sound mind, body, and spirit.” Then, the branding iron is pressed into the inside of his upper arm.
I have to cover my mouth to hide my snicker. Karl’s face is gleeful, and the person branding him looks almost appalled.
Karl moves over, and then Sebastian’s name is called. August quickly follows, leaving Liam and I standing at the bottom of the steps to the stage.
“Liamon Washington, please step forward,” Guliana orders, and he ascends the stairs, joining the others.
I sigh, staring at the empty space next to Liam. Rowan’s absence is glaringly apparent as only the four of them stand on the dais.
The echo of dress shoes reverberates off the hollowed-out walls of the once-quiet room, momentarily distracting me from watching Liam receive his brand.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.