Page 13 of Be My Sacrifice

My eyes close tightly as I force myself to take deep breaths and calm myself down, before I do something rash that I can’t come back from. Something that will most likely get me killed. Noah Rothesay has Gabriel’s child, and was always going to dispose of Dinah. He’s the one pulling all the strings at the Brotherhood, inciting further anger and demands on the population, as a means of garnering further control and power.

“Noah Rothesay needs to die,” the words leave my lips covered in malice, and with them, I cement a promise that at the first opportunity, I will see him dead. He will receive a brutal death to repay him for the one he already took from me, and the other that he tried to take. I will avenge Gabriel, and seek retribution for Dinah.

“Yes, he does. He embodies everything that is corrupt about our world. He must die, but it won’t be easily accomplished. He has grown in power and influence within the clutches of the Brotherhood. He’s made sure to surround himself with protection at all times, and he trusts no one.”

“There has to be a way to get to him—a place or situation where he is vulnerable. We have to get Gabriel’s son back, Mom. We can’t let them kill him, or worse, raise him in their clutches.”

“We will, Abraham, but right now, our first priority is to ensure that girl survives. She has become a beacon of hope for many. TheUnholy Ghostkilling off prominent members of the Brotherhood has stirred further unrest in the populace. People are starting to wake up to the reality that they are sheep being led to the slaughter, and the Order isn’t as untouchable as they were led to believe. If we have a chance to change this world, we need Dinah.”

We need Dinah.Her words vibrate on a loop in my mind. They need Dinah to lead this revolution against the Brotherhood. They want a leader and a martyr, when all I want is her. All I have ever wanted was her. If she survives, can I live with the knowledge that they want her to lead? That will put her right back in the eye of the storm, and ensure that she is a target for the Brotherhood’s rage. Wouldn’t it be best if they thought she was dead? Noah accomplished what he wanted: Dinah Camrose and theUnholy Ghostare gone from this earth.

“I know what you are thinking, son. I have had the same thoughts. She would be safer if they continued to think that she was dead, and while I don’t disagree, this is larger than what we want, or think is best. This is so much more than just one girl surviving and living out her days.”

Her features tighten, and determination fills her face. “One way or another, theUnholy Ghosthas to continue to target and kill reigning members of the Order. We can’t stop now.”

Understanding hits me; my mother is a fanatic. As much as she always cared for Dinah while we were growing up, treating her as if she were her own daughter, the rebel movement means more to her. She is willing to sacrifice Dinah’s precious life, if it can topple the Brotherhood.

Fuck, we are no safer here than we were with the Brotherhood. I have to protect Dinah, that is, if she survives. I can’t trust anyone here, not even my own mother.

“I want to see her, no, fuck that, Ineedto see her. Take me to her, Mom.”

Chapter nine

The Protector

Sammy

“Is…that…all…you…got?” I mumble through a mouthful of blood, some trickling out of the sides of my lips, and making its way down my chin. I have no idea how long I have been here confined to this cell, but it no longer matters. Nothing matters anymore now that she’s gone.Dinah’s gone, and I am still here.

My last hope is to provoke one of these Brotherhood parasites into finally killing me in a fit of rage, so that I can join my Nightstar in the afterlife. There is nothing left for me here, now that she is gone. I have been parted from her for too long already.

“You want some more!” The asshole swings his fists at my battered body, and laughs like a damn hyena before slamming one of his hands into my gut. If my wrists weren’t shackled to this wall above my head, forcing me to remain standing, I would have fallen over by now. I’m not sure how much longer my body can keep taking this punishment. I hope it won’t be long now.Just a few more moments, Nightstar, and I will be at your side. We can be together forever, baby. I’m coming to join you, Dinah.

“STOP!” A voice booms from across the room. My head is too heavy to lift, and both my eyes are swollen shut, so there is no way to determine who it belongs to. “We don’t want him dead, at least not yet.”

“Fuck… you,” I spit.

A hand digs into my scalp, yanking on my hair and forcing my head to lift on my weary neck. “What a disrespectful cunt you are, especially when I am trying my best to prolong your life.”

Now that the asshole is closer, I recognize the voice, and it belongs to a traitor. “I’m… going… to… kii… ll… you,” I mumble, my jaw aching with each syllable.

“How exactly are you going to accomplish that, huh? You think you’ll be able to kill me while chained to a fucking wall, dying bit by bit?” He leans closer until his breath slides across my face. “How disappointed she would be to see you giving in to your fate.”

A small burst of energy bolsters me as I’m filled with rage, and my body rattles the chains holding me at his words. How fucking dare this traitor even mention her? He’s the fucking reason she’s gone. He took her from me. He must die.

“Leave us, all of you,” his words are filled with superiority, but why wouldn’t they be? He’s a high-ranking Brotherhood scum. The son of a power-hungry psycho, who knows no limits in getting what he wants.Like father, like son.

“Sir, we’ve been ordered…” Whoever it was who was speaking never finishes their sentence, but the sound of flesh slamming into flesh greets my ears.

“Get the fuck out of here, before I rip out your fucking heart!” Ezekiel roars. I hope the cunt turns that pent-up rage on himself. He deserves a good beating.

I hear footsteps racing away, and the door to the room opening and then slamming shut. Minutes go by, the silence daunting. Knowing that he is just standing there, observing me like a fucking creeper, is making my skin crawl. “Come… to do… your… daddy’s… dirty… work?”

“You would think that, wouldn’t you? If I wanted you dead, Sammy, you would be. I certainly wouldn’t be spending my fucking time trying to keep you alive, and putting my own freedom on the line to save yours.”

“Spare… me your… lies, traitor.”

A strong hand grasps my chin and forces my head to stay upright, and even as I try to rip myself from its grip, it tightens further. “You have no idea the sacrifice I made. You have no fucking idea what I have lost. You think you are the only one who lost her!” He leans closer, his head leaning against mine, temple to temple. “I lost both of them. I lost everything I have ever cared about.”

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