Page 47 of Jayce

It’s also clear with the lack of attendance, a better idea didn’t surface.

“Are there any new ideas today?” Lucas asks those who came to support us.

“Plan A is a solid plan?” Circe says.

“Christos, were you not able to talk sense into your daughter?” Lucas asks.

Her patér shakes his head as if defeated.

Sometimes freewill seems more like a curse than a blessing.

“And all of you will submit to this other herd for the ritual?”

“The others changed their mind. It’s just the five of us,” Circe informs everyone.

Penelope and Evangeline are younger. They’d only recently started showing up at Twins looking for a good time. I’m pretty sure Evangeline settled for a night with me when Frank turned her down.

“I offer one more plea to change your mind, ladies. We will find another way.”

Circe shrugs. “How do we even know this Emjay is telling the truth? What proof has she given us?”

Emjay races toward the middle of the crowd. “Proof! You want proof!” She rips her shirt in two before pulling it off and tossing it to the ground. “This is your proof.”

She holds her arms out and slowly turns, giving each of us time to gaze upon the scars covering her back, her chest, and her arms. We’ve all already seen the one on her face.

“Have you seen enough?!” Damian roars before slipping the shirt he removed from his back over her head.

Amara and Maria take off running for their homes.

Circe holds her head up. “We’re in.”

“I can’t help but think your motivation is misguided, Circe, and that you’re bringing your friends down with you.”

“We know what we’re doing.”

Lucas shakes his head. If only we operated under an alpha like a wolf pack, but we don’t. Circe, Penelope, and Evangeline are free to make this decision.

“Atticus met with his son Jayce this afternoon. Together, they inscribed our request. Atticus, my friend, will you read it aloud?”

“Under the ancient traditions of our people, we request the honor of your presence for a mating ceremony of your daughters whom you seek. In exchange, we offer our own daughters for ceremony. In the event that a mating is confirmed, the male will join the female’s herd. Twelve males per herd, no more—no less. Three females per herd—no more—no less. In the event that a mating is confirmed and another male contests the mating, he may challenge her mate. The loser will yield or forfeit his life. The ritual is set for two nights from tonight after the sun goes down in the abandoned Jazzland. All parties will accept matings confirmed by Helios himself.”

“Any objections or suggestions?” Lucas asks.

When no one offers any other ideas, Lucas lights the invitation on fire while saying a prayer. “Helios, our patér, direct its path that it might land where intended.”

Chapter 32

Shay

When I ran from Jayce last night, I ended up on my sister’s front porch.

I remembered the kitchen blurring while the air turned suffocating. My breaths came in short, shallow gasps. I couldn’t fill my lungs with air anymore as they suddenly felt constricted. Jayce’s heartbeat thundered in my ears. Each pulse echoed like a drumbeat of impending doom.

I ran before the sensation of dizziness sweeping over me could bring me to my knees. Standing in front of Cill’s house, the ground beneath my feet tilted, as if the earth beneath me shifted.

I grasped at the door handle with trembling fingers and clammy palms.

It felt as if an anvil pressed down upon my chest, crushing my ribs. I clawed at the imaginary weight. A relentless force of irrational fear consumed my every rational thought.

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