Page 14 of Savage Blood
“Let’s get this over with.”
“Here.” Jax handed me the ornate gold and onyx dagger, not the least bit afraid I’d stab him. “Cut your palm and let your blood drain into the bowl.”
The sting of the blade barely registered against my palm as I dragged it over my flesh, and then Jax snatched the knife out of my hand. Warm blood oozed from the wound and into the bowl, filling the air with a metallic tang.
Roman appeared beside me, took my palm, and wrapped a cloth around it. “That’s enough.”
Jax arched an eyebrow as he examined the small pool of blood glistening under the enormous chandelier in the middle of the room. “Are you sure?”
“Only a small amount is needed.” Roman pulled me toward the chair Barric had placed in the corner. “Please just cooperate, Tate,” he muttered under his breath as he gently forced me to sit, the crescent moon piercing his ear swaying as he spoke.
“Unchain Enid, and I will.”
“I can’t do that, but Barric won’t hurt her. She’s toovaluable to him.” The circles beneath his eyes seemed even darker now. “He’ll use her again to force your hand. Be prepared.”
My jaw clenched so hard my teeth ached. “Why are they doing these rituals?”
The doors on the other side of the room opened, and a gaunt man with a slender build—thinner than I’d ever seen on a shifter—strode across the floor, wheeling a cart with a stack of folded black material and white masks.
Knots fisted in my stomach at the sight of those cloaks and garish masks. The newcomer stopped the cart and pulled a bundle of candles off the second shelf. No one acknowledged him as he set the red wax cylinders around the room at equal distances from the center.
More Collective members filed in, and I recognized a few from Silver Ridge. When Amelia glowered in my direction, I couldn’t resist flipping her off. The sharp scent of rage wafting from her brought a smile to my lips.
The bitch couldn’t touch me.
But shecouldget to Enid. Barric wouldn’t be half as mad if Amelia killed her just to hurt me. The way Amelia’s hard stare lingered on Saint’s mother made it clear she realized that too.
As The Collective members plucked their robes and masks from the cart, Roxie and two male shifters led Ruin into the room. Chains dangled from his wrists, and his wet hair dried in waves around his face while water saturated his clothes and stuck to his lean body. Roxie’s hair was also wet.
If they’d had sex, the shifters could smell it on them. Roxie must have showered quickly and drenched Ruin to cover the scent.
Either she was smart, or Ruin instructed her to do it.
Probably the latter.
When the high demon caught my eye, a cocky grin pulled his lips apart.
Did they really screw each other?
“Oh, look.” Ruin jerked his chin toward the members as they dressed. “Still wearing the Nosterium’s old ceremonial garb. They’re unnecessary, but they give a dramatic flair to the whole event, don’t they, Barry?” He winked at the alpha.
Disgust crinkled Barric’s expression as Roxie and the pair of shifters led Ruin toward the center of the room. “Why isn’t he gagged?”
Roman pinched the bridge of his nose while he walked to the table and then tapped an ancient leather tome. “He has to say the chant, Barric. He can’t be gagged for this.”
Barric rolled his shoulders to loosen the tension stiffening them. “You could have shut him up until the very moment we needed his mouth.”
“Idohave a special mouth, don’t I?” When Ruin blew Roxie a kiss, she averted her gaze to her black boots.
“Get the hook, Ben,” Jax called out, and the lanky shifter who’d wheeled in the cart turned a crank on the wall, lowering a huge hook that looked like something right out of a slaughterhouse.
The foreboding metal grinding of gears and rattle of chains echoed through the grand room. Roxie lifted Ruin’s bound hands and stuck them on the hook.
“Behave and I promise not to torture Tate for the rest of the day,” she said with a strained smile. “I know you still have a soft spot for her.”
Ruin smirked. “Deal.”
I hated that he cared if they tortured me. It made me feel sympathy for him when I shouldn’t.
