Page 65 of Sin and Salvation

I couldn’t help but be nervous, but my mates had instructed me on what I needed to know. Like the mate bond, there was no going back after this.

For once, I was glad to sink myself into something permanent. They were my family; these oaths would be my promise to them.

At first, I’d balked at the idea of actually joining the MC. I was a stripper, and had no intention of leaving that occupation until baby demons were on the table; I didn’t even have a bike or know how to ride one.

But my mates had made it very clear: I’d killed Maxime Giraud. I’d defended the club. My power could be used as a weapon, and I’d wielded it in defense of my people.

One way or another, I was joining the MC.

I’d eventually let them talk me into it. The Black Hearts revved their bikes, and we headed out into the night.

Concordia flew by, and we slowly headed out of the city. We rounded Lake Calleis, and eventually I realized we were heading to its sister lake, Litae.

We pulled in as the moon was rising high over the city, and I stepped off the bike into a parking lot. We were by the lakeside pavilions, where I’d wanted to stay so badly as a kid.

“I thought it would be nice… if we did this somewhere you’d always wanted to go back to,” Crow said, sounding gruff and a little embarrassed. “Usually we hold the initiations in the club itself, but I wanted something special for you.”

I smiled up at him. I’d always wanted to come out to Lake Litae, a place I felt I would never belong. “That’s sweet of you.”

My mates led me to a pavilion overlooking the glittering waves. Only a few of the Black Hearts had come with us to witness this; now that Maxime was dead, we didn’t have to roam the city as a giant pack anymore.

The freedom was absolutely breathtaking.

But even without a massive audience, a bundle of nerves grew in my chest as I faced Crow. He’d pulled out a silver knife, the blade gleaming with the moon’s light.

“Are you ready, Venus?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

Aeron and Zane surrounded me, bolstering me despite my nerves. It was a huge step, binding myself to the MC like this… but I was ready.

“This oath is binding. To us, loyalty is all, and you’ve proven yourself. Bring no shame to the Syndicate.”

I knew now that the Syndicate was more than just the Black Hearts; we were only one small fraction of all the territories. Everything I did from now on would reflect on them as well.

I was ready for it.

“He who falls behind, is left behind.” Crow smiled, and I could almost hear his unspoken words:you won’t fall behind, sugar, you’ll be ahead.

Then he raised the knife, and I gave him my hand.

“Blood in, blood out,” he said, neatly slicing my palm, then his own.

“Blood in, blood out,” I repeated. We gripped each other’s hands, palms slick and warm, and I felt the blood magic of the oath take root in my own.

No matter where I went, it would always be part of me. I could no more break the oath here than I could anywhere on earth.

With those words, I was now a Black Heart.

“Welcome to the club, sugar tits,” Aeron whispered, brushing a kiss on my head. He managed to completely destroy the solemn silence of the oath with that.

“You jerk,” I hissed, but Zane was shaking with suppressed laughter.

“And we got you a welcoming gift,” Aeron said. “Cover your eyes.”

Crow released my hand. To my surprise, our palms were fully healed despite the smear of still-wet blood. The scar was white and pearly, the pain gone.

But Crow put his unmarked hand over my eyes as they marched me back towards the parking lot. I tried to tug his hand away, but he was stronger.

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