Page 99 of Dirty Little Saint

“Get your hands off me,” a woman shrieks at the top of the stairs.

Laughter erupts. “Look what I found slinking through the hall.”

“Let me go!” she screams.

I know that voice.

Fuck.

I spin around and start to go back up when Riot grabs me. “It’s your turn to relax. Don’t give them any reaction.”

“She’s my sister,” I growl.

He places his hand on my chest, over the sigil Maureen gave me. “I know. But we have to go along with it. I promise you, I won’t let them touch her.”

Every corded muscle in my body is clenched. I want to attack until I remember that these clowns don’t fight fair. They’re old men who win their battles by drawing power from all the sigils they’ve carved into their initiates.

Villette’s eyes widen when she sees me as they shove her down the stairs. While they’re busy ogling her, I put my finger to my lips, motioning for her to stay quiet. She releases a quivering breath.

Holden smells her hair. “Expensive shampoo. Mmm, where’d you come from, sweet thing?”

I almost vomit in my mouth.

“I-I was looking for my boyfriend. He works here.” Villette’s voice shakes. She’s never been a good liar, but they are too blinded by their lust to catch it.

He thumbs her lip. “Well, if he works for me, then he belongs to me. And so do you. Come, sweetheart. You’re going to be part of something really special tonight.”

Fuck.

Riot grabs my arm. “Keep walking, Felix.”

Villette whimpers with every step we take. The descent seems endless. I hate myself so much right now. I never should have allowed her to come with us tonight. She should be back at Tenebrose, safe in her room at the Nest.

If we fail… I’ll never forgive myself.

They surpass me when we reach the bottom of the stairs. With my sister sandwiched between the three of them, Riot and I follow like bloodhounds, watching their every move as they lead us to the ritual room.

Riot laces his fingers through mine. “I keep my promises, Felix. She’ll be fine.”

I squeeze his hand. “I’ll murder them.” I don’t give a fuck if they are their fathers.

“I’ll help,” Riot mutters.

This moment might be my worst. But something flickers between Riot and me. A transfer of heat and energy through our fingertips. I believe him. I trust him. His loyalty is not to these men. It’s to us. Me, Atlas, Val, and Maureen. We are the ones he will kill for. No matter who the prey is. He’ll murder his own bloodline to protect us.

“I’m all in,” I whisper. “No more doubts. Carve my entire body up with sigils. I belong with you.”

“Mors tua, vita mea. Your death, my life, Felix.”

It’s not the death of flesh and tissue. Death is just an ending. A chance for rebirth.

I keep a trained eye on my sister and pick up the pace as we follow more closely. I can’t for any reason let them take her somewhere I can’t see her.

Riot jerks his chin up, motioning to what lies ahead. “Be ready.”

I swallow hard and nestle up behind Villette. I touch her back. I got you baby sister.

The lights are brighter through the entrance up ahead. It’s so fucking quiet I start to fear they failed.

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