I make my way downstairs to the temple. It’s in the underground part of the clubhouse. I stop and look around as I get to the lower level.
I can’t shake the feeling as if someone is watching me. Not seeing anyone, I shrug and keep moving toward the temple. Once the ceremony is complete, my sisters and I will be able to communicate with each other and the members of the community who have pledged their allegiance to the Immortal Iron Brothers and their laws.
We have been given the rules and laws that all others must follow to stay under the brothers’ protection. I had no idea how intricate the workings of the club and its connection to the world of others is. Going through the rules and laws has been the one thing to get my mind off my father.
I want to make sure I know everything and that I get this right. This is my new life, my new family. I wouldn’t want to disrespect the rules or break any of them.
“Like he would punish you for it. You’ve been worrying too much,”Venus says.
It’s been three days and she still sounds so lethargic. I wish I knew what I could do for her. It’s not just the way she sounds. I can feel her waning.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired and anxious. Something is coming. You should be training.”
“For what? I’m useless.”
“No, you are not. There was nothing more you could’ve done. Please forgive yourself. You have babies to think about. Avionne, this sweet little one in here, and Knox.”
“Wait, you can communicate with this baby?”
“Yes, he’s a very sweet child.”
“Kendrick is right? It is a boy?”
“Yes, it is. He hasn’t told you, has he?”
“Told me what?”
“Female children are very rare for them. You most likely will only bear sons.”
“Oh, now that’s some irony for you. Wait, so it’s not impossible, just highly unlikely?”
“It would have to be Tanri’s will. It’s considered a gift of the most high when he grants it.”
“How do you know this?”
“It was in the scrolls when I was looking…”
She trails off, but I know what she was going to say. When she was looking for a way to take my place. I think fast to change the subject. This is the most she’s spoken to me in days.
“It’s going to be so weird. Going from being single with no children to having a mate and three infants.”
“You will do well. Knox will be lucky to have you. They all will.”
“Thanks. I hope you’re right.”
“Hey, you,” Lee Ann says as I walk into the temple.
She’s sitting in the center of the crest that’s engraved in the middle of the room with a book in her lap. As I get closer, I realize it’s the book with the prophecy.
“Hey,” I say as I look around. This place is almost identical to the temple from the past. I would think I was in the same place if I didn’t know any better.
The sconces on the walls, the engraving on the floor and walls, the moss and foliage growing—all of it throws me back in time to when I watched Venus and her sisters first step into that cave.
“Almost feels the same too, doesn’t it?” Lee Ann asks knowingly.
“Yeah. Kind of eerie, right?”