Page 121 of Beloved Sacrifice

They entered the hall on the right-hand side. There were three doors off of it.

Devon motioned to the door marked with the letter A. “This one’s yours, Anderson.”

Weston shook his head. “We stay together.”

Rose looked around the hall and frowned, but didn’t speak.

Devon only nodded. He opened the door. “Both of you, then.”

Rose went in first, tugging him after her. She seemed almost eager.

Maybe she, too, wanted it to be over.

The room was small, but everything in it was elegant and expensive, from the plush carpet to the cherry wood vanity. There was a hook on the wall, a large black piece of fabric hanging from it. There was a second door across from the first.

Devon opened one of the large lower drawers in the vanity and pulled out a second piece of fabric, this one white. He placed it on top of the vanity.

“When the bell rings, exit that door.” He pointed to the one across from where they’d come in. Then Devon slipped out the other door.

Weston took a few steps and grasped the handle. The door opened. Weston froze. Had he known that would happen, he would have been much quieter. He waited like that, listening for sounds of Devon returning. But instead, the sound of shoes against marble continued to recede.

Weston motioned with his hand, waving Rose over. His heart started jackhammering against the inside of his rib cage.

Rose put a hand on his shoulder. “Wes.”

Something in her tone made him turn. She handed him the black fabric. He held it up. A hooded robe. He frowned in confusion for only a moment.

This was a formal ceremonial robe.

Rose picked up the white one and slipped it on, closing it in the front.

“Rose, the door isn’t locked. We have a chance to run.”

“I want to hope. It’s stupid. I know we’re doomed. I might even deserve it. But these…” She took a heavy breath. “These are the rooms they use for binding ceremonies. A, B, and C. Each member assigned to a room.”

He looked at the robe, and then back to her. “We’re getting married?”

Rose let out a little laugh. “Want me to get down on one knee?”

“Just because these are used for marriages doesn’t mean that’s what happening, Brown Eyes.” He stroked her cheek with his knuckles. “There might be…there might be a ceremony before…”

“Some sort of ritual before they shoot us in the head? Possibly. I was ready to run, but this…” She motioned to herself in her robe. “I want to hope,” she repeated.

Weston put on his own robe, and she helped him do the fastening in the front.

The bell rang.

Weston took her face in his hands and kissed her, fast and hard.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back desperately, coaxing him into lengthening the kiss. Weston dropped his hands, running them down her sides to her hips.

The bell rang again.

Rose pulled back, licking her lower lip.

Weston laid his forehead against hers. “I love you. I always have. I always will.”

Rose let out a sigh. “I love you, too.” She said the words with an intensity that made it seem like she’d been waiting a long time to speak them.

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