Page 146 of Ink Deep Devotion

She hesitates but then says, “The Rites of Passage.”

“I don’t understand how you know this, Avery.”

“There are seven ruling seats within The Rites of Passage, but that doesn’t mean the men have all the control. After shit went south in the past, a larger board of advisors was established. The kings don’t know who the advisors are. This keeps the advisors safe from persuasion. Their job is to keep the kings in line, to make sure they don’t abuse their power.”

“That’s how you know all of this. You’re an advisor.”

“No. My father is.”

“But you are offering to help me. Wouldn’t that be hurting the cause?” My world goes black as I seal my eyes shut.“That’swhy you’re doing it. You want to bring down The Rites of Passage.”

“No. I could never bring them down.” Her voice sours.“I’ve watched far too many women in our world have no voice; our only option is fighting to the death or running. You have to be utterly hopeless to fight when defeat is inevitable, but some would rather die than surrender. I’m willing to die knowing that I helped a few of you get away.”

What kind of heart does it take to march to your death with your chin held high? Avery has that heart beating inside of her, hardening her flesh, deafening her ears to the fear that her future is bleak, but her present is full of pride, knowing she took a stand against The Rites of Passage.

“Ask Blaze who Kristen Ferguson and Jacquelyn Vox are.”

I turn and grab my brush and pretend to paint as well. My other hand drums against my canvas. I ask Blaze and watch as his eyes dilate.

His throat rolls with a heavy gulp.“They were best friends. Kristen was engaged to Ronan Graves. The Graves ran an organ trafficking organization.”

I’m disgusted by the professions people in my world have.

“Kristen and Jacquelyn were in New York shopping for Kristen’s wedding dress. A dozen guards stood outside. They never walked out of the store.”

“What happened?” I ask Blaze.

“They vanished. Ronan tore apart the entire state and burned the shop to the ground. He never found Kristen or Jacquelyn. Jacquelyn’s family went to war against the Graves; they thought they were responsible and blamed Ronan for their daughter’s disappearance. The war got bloody. Fast.”

He grabs his palette knife and smears the paint all over his palette, mixing and mixing until the paint turns an ugly, muddy color. A thick slapping as the knife hits the paint floats around us, sounding like gasping sobs. His grip on the knife is hard, like he wants to lash out and stab my phone with it. If he could kill Avery, he would. That’s a fact.

“In the end, the two families killed each other off. Worked out well for Kristen and Jacquelyn if they are still alive. Now they have no one searching for them.”

Blaze looks at me. Hard.“Think about what you’re going to do and who you’re making a deal with.”

“I helped them, and I will help you. They are both alive and well. They are free.” Avery responds.

I look down at the paint-speckled floor.“I don’t want a war in my wake.”

“The only war will be between Dash and you. Dash has cut you off from your father, and only he is responsible for letting you slip away. You will simply vanish.”

“When and where?”Am I doing this? Yes, it’s really happening this time.

“On graduation day. That’s all you need to know. A friend will come get you.”

“I…I don’t know.”

“You’re scared for me,” Avery states.

“Yes!” I snap a little too loudly. I point to the canvas, faking excitement over what I painted. My guards eat it up.

“I know the risks. You need to know yours. Dash will never stop looking for you. I can offer you freedom, but it’s still a cage. You will have a new identity, live in a small town, be safe, andmake a simple life for yourself. No more traveling to big cities for fun, no more endless bank accounts. You stay in that town where you will be safe. I’ll give you a phone you can call in case of emergencies, but there is no guarantee I can come to help. I never know when my time will come, Mila, but for as long as I have, I will help those who need an escape be granted one. You’ll get a bank account that will last you a year if you’re smart; after that, you need to work. Can you do that, be utterly alone?”

“I think that’s exactly what I need. I don’t know who I am. Dash filled a hole, and then he made it bigger. I need to put myself first. I need to understand why I allowed that hole to start. I need to live without being watched; I need to survive without a man.”

And I need to inflict pain because I’m not innocent. I’m angry and bruised.“I need to hurt him for hurting me.”

“If he ever finds you, then I’m done. I vanish. That means no more girls will have me as their escape.”

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