Page 91 of The Devil's Hunt

Running my fingers over the engagement ring on my finger, I opened the red card left on top of my immaculate white dress.

Inside, it read:

“You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love, I love, I love you. And wish from this day forth never to be parted from you.”

-Archer

Smiling, I put on the carefully chosen white dress, letting it fall to my ankles. Laurent appeared behind me, holding a white crown, vines twisted into band-like thorns. He set it on my head, and I turned to face him.

“You look beautiful as always, Mila.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t be nervous. Once this is over, I’ll dress you up for the masquerade, and you’ll be the belle of the ball, just like you were meant to be.”

“You always know what to say to make me feel better. I am so glad to have you.”

“Always. Now, let’s get you covered up. Kai and Theo are waiting for you.” He pulled the veil over my face, and I followed him downstairs, where Kai and Theo stood at the front door. They were both dressed in black robes and hoods and held their devil masks in their hands.

Theo held out his arm. “Ready to play the part, Mila?”

I nodded and accepted both of their arms. They led me outside and into the maze. The fog enveloped us like a thick blanket, muffling the sounds and casting an eerie glow on the twisted hedges. The path we walked was familiar yet different that night, the shadows playing tricks on my eyes. I clutched Kai and Theo tightly, relying on their guidance through the maze. The moon produced an eerie glow over the towering hedges, casting long shadows that seemed to danceas we walked. As we approached the mausoleum, torches were lit, and the door was open, waiting for me to enter.

“Mila, before we take you in, we want you to know that whatever happens down there, we are loyal to Archer and you. If you decide you can’t follow the rites of The Brotherhood, we will give our lives for you and Archer to have a chance,” Theo said before putting on his mask.

“Agreed,” Kai replied, donning his mask.

“I appreciate you both. There will be no dying today. I know what is expected of me.”

“Hey,” Theo grabbed my arm, stopping me from heading inside. “Please know that we won’t hurt you.”

“I know.”

Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the threshold of the mausoleum. The air inside was cold and heavy, sending a shiver down my spine. I walked down the stone stairs into a bigger room, surprised to see it open into a space I didn’t expect. The mausoleum was not just a dark, dusty tomb, but a room filled with rows of church pews and an altar at its center. Figures in black robes and white masks lined the pews, their eyes fixed on me with intense scrutiny. The room was lit by flickering candles, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. At the center of the room stood Archer, dressed in black ceremonial robes like Kai and Theo, his face obscured by his gold devil’s mask. The air was heavy with incense, and the sound of a low, haunting chant in Latin filled the room.

I could feel the weight of everyone’s gazes on me as I made my way down the aisle, flanked by Kai and Theo. Archer's piercing eyes locked onto mine as I made my way to him, my heart pounding. The weight of the moment pressed down on me like a boulder, threatening to crush me under its enormity. I squared my shoulders and marched forward, knowing there was no turning back. The members of The Brotherhood watched in silence, their masked faces unreadable.

A sense of calm washed over me as I approached the altar where Archer stood. His presence anchored me in a way that nothing elsecould. Without exchanging a word, we knelt before the altar, our hands clasped together. The officiant, a tall figure draped in crimson robes, raised a gleaming silver chalice and began reciting ancient words reverberating off the stone walls.

Archer's grip on my hands tightened, grounding me in reality as the world around us seemed to blur. The weight of his love surrounded me like a shield, protecting me from the unknown. And in that moment, I only saw him.

The officiant's voice rose and fell like a haunting lullaby, the words weaving a tapestry of fate that bound Archer and me together in ways deeper than I could fathom. As the final words of the ancient ritual echoed through the chamber, the flames in the braziers flickered and danced, casting an ethereal glow over us.

Archer rose from his kneeling position, pulling me up with him. With a soft touch, he lifted my veil, revealing his eyes full of vulnerability. Our eyes locked, and I felt as though the world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us standing in the center of the room. The weight of The Ceremony and its significance pressed down on me, but looking into Archer’s eyes, I found an unspoken reassurance that everything would be alright. His thumb brushed lightly against my cheek, his touch warm against my skin, grounding me in the present. Without breaking eye contact, he spoke in a strong and gentle voice, “Mila, from the moment I met you, I knew you were my destiny. I bind myself to you. My body. My mind. My soul. I am yours, and you are mine. If death comes for me, I shall wait for you. We shall not part in this life or the next.”

He nodded, his eyes blazing with unspoken intensity, signaling for me to repeat the vow he made to me.

I nodded back, looking at his eyes that sparkled with unshed tears. I saw the depth of his emotions laid bare, his love for me shining through the mask of stoicism he usually wore.

“Archer, I bind myself to you. My body. My mind. My soul. I am yours, and you are mine. If death comes for me, I shall wait for you. We shall not part in this life or the next.”

The officiant stepped forward with a golden knife with intricatedesigns on the blade. Archer accepted it, his gaze never leaving mine. As he pressed the sharp edge against my bottom lip, I felt a slight sting before my warm blood began to trickle down my chin. Taking the knife from him, I mirrored the action.

Without a word, he lunged forward and crushed his lips against mine in a kiss that spoke volumes, sealing our bond in a way that transcended mere words. The metallic taste of blood coated our tongues as we devoured each other. I closed my eyes, losing myself in the moment as the world around us faded away, leaving only the sensation of his lips on mine.

When we finally broke apart, gasping for air, something flickered in Archer's eyes—a hunger that matched my own, a primal need that transcended the bounds of reason. Without a word, he took my hand and led me to the edge of the altar.

Archer leaned in close, his warm breath tickling my ear as he whispered, "I love you, Mila. No matter what happens next, remember that."

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