Page 62 of Sacrifice

It was one thing for the heartless bastard to get rid of me to save himself, but to get Rose killed in the process was another thing entirely. I wouldn’t let it happen. Wouldn’t let him get away with this shit.

My left hand moved on the smooth stone altar as I shifted my weight yet again, and my fingertips met with something hard and jagged.

“What’s this?” I muttered, turning my head to the left. Under the moonlight, I spotted a sharpened stone sitting on the altar beside me and Rose. Someone from the Covenant must have accidentally left it there earlier. A careless mistake for them, but a boon for us.

“What?” Rose replied. “Did you find something?”

“Yes. There’s a stone here,” I said. “I think I can use it to cut the ropes around our wrists. I just need to grab it properly.”

“What can I do to help?”

“Just move when I move. Ready?”

“Yes.”

We shifted, bodies moving in sync. I twisted my wrist, trying to angle my hand toward the stone, but the ropes were too tight, biting into my skin with every small movement. My fingers strained, brushing against the jagged edge. It was so close now. So fucking close.

"Rose," I muttered. “Lean to your right. Just a little."

I felt her shift behind me again, her body tensing as she moved. The ropes stretched, loosening just enough for me to reach the stone.

“Got it.”

I clenched my jaw, focusing on the rough surface beneath my fingertips.

“You really think you can cut us free?” Rose asked, voice tinged with a blend of hope and anxiety.

“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”

Slowly, carefully, I dragged the sharp edge across the binding at my wrist, wincing as it scraped against my skin. The rope frayed, but not fast enough. The crowd was still cheering, chanting louder now, their excitement growing with each passing second. We didn’t have much time before someone noticed what we were up to.

“Come on,” I muttered under my breath, sawing at the rope with renewed urgency.

Rose shifted again, keeping pace with my movements. “Is it working?”

“Yes.” I gritted my teeth. “I just have to keep going.”

A sudden shift rippled through the crowd, and the jubilant singing and chanting faded into an eerie, expectant silence, leaving only the crackle of fire in the night air. The energy in the clearing had changed, as if everyone knew something big was about to happen.

I glanced to my right as I continued sawing at the rope. Augustus had moved away from the bonfire and was now standing in front of the crowd, flanked by the other elders. In one hand, he held the large ceremonial dagger I’d seen him draw across the previous Tetrad sacrifice’s throat four weeks ago.

He raised his free hand high, and his voice rang out, clear and commanding. “Brothers and sisters,” he called, his tone filled with reverence. “Allow me to address you on this most sacred evening.”

The crowd obeyed, not a single voice daring to break the tension. Several sets of eyes turned toward the altar. Towardus.I could feel their gazes burning into my skin, their anticipationthick in the air. My pulse quickened, the stone still hidden in my hand, but there was no moving now. Not with so many people watching so intently.

Augustus lowered his hand, stepping forward, and began to speak again. With the crowd’s rapt attention back on him, I was able to return my efforts to the rope without anyone noticing.

“Tonight, the elders and I come to you with some somber news,” Augustus said. “It will be extremely difficult for you to hear. A great shock. I must offer you my deepest and sincerest apologies for that.”

A murmur of confusion rippled through the crowd, but they quickly hushed again.

“Tonight marks the final blood moon of the Tetrad. It was meant to be a joyous occasion, culminating in the sacrifice of our final celestial virgin. My beloved daughter, Rosamund,” Augustus went on, gesturing to the stone altar. I froze again as everyone turned their gazes toward us once more.

“Is the rope almost broken?” Rose whispered.

“Yes. I just have to wait until they stop looking,” I muttered, eyes on the gathered crowd. “Or they’ll realize what I’m doing.”

Augustus finally began to speak again. “The elders and I have served Alderwood to the best of our abilities over the years. We have devoted ourselves to the Entity and followed the words of his doctrine to the letter in order to keep everyone safe,” he said. “However, it is with great sorrow and regret that I inform you… despite our efforts, we have failed in our mission.”

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