Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
I never meant for my co-workers to become my closest friends, but that’s how life goes. Where you spend your time becomes your home. The people around you become your community. Once I made the choice to work at Inferno, all the other choices cascaded from here, and my destiny was set.
But looking at Daria and Honey, I realize how much I need their friendship. We share gossip and blister pads and complain about long shifts and stingy tippers. Their support is all I have, and because of that, it means the world.
So I tell them my story, starting with St. James’ offer and ending with the shopping spree, but I keep my freak-out over the ring to myself. The ladies ooh and ahh at appropriate places, and when I’m done, Daria’s tapping her chin, deep in thought.
“St. James doesn’t make that offer to just anyone,” she says. “Not to any waitresses or dancers, at least, because one of them would talk, and I would’ve found out. That means Jaeger singled you out.”
Honey gasps. “Because he wants you. You’ve been chosen.” She gives me a dazzling smile.
“What?” I ask.
“You know, one of them,” Honey says and then adds in a whisper, “An elita.”
I glance at Daria, but neither of us has any idea what Honey’s talking about.
“What’s an elita?” Daria folds her arms in front of her chest.
“One of the chosen.” Honey sees our confusion and rolls her eyes. “You guys have to start paying attention.”
“Paying attention can get us killed,” Daria grumbles, and I concur.
“Whatever,” Honey says. “Remember Odette?”
The name sounds familiar, but I don’t remember her until Daria says, “The dancer? She worked here for, like, a hot second.”
“Right. And now she only comes in on the arm of that big guy with the neck tattoo. The one with jewels in his ring,” Honey lowers her voice again. “One of the Seven.”
I don’t know what she means by ‘one of the Seven,’ and I don’t want to know. But I remember Odette. “She came in a few weeks ago with him,” I say slowly. “She was wearing a black ribbon around her throat with a blue jewel on it.”
“Right, to match his ring.” Honey rolls her hands in a “ta-da” gesture and sighs when we still look confused. “She’s an initiate. That’s what you become before the ceremony when you’re claimed.”
Ceremony? I have so many questions, but I feel like I’ve been tromping through the woods, only to come to a fence covered in barbed wire and a No Trespassing sign.
Daria looks skeptical. “How do you know so much about this?”
Honey flushes and examines her French manicure. “I just do.”
“Okay,” I say, “So what? Some of the Fraternitas claim their elite—”
“Elita. Or Electus, if they’re male,” Honey corrects and sticks her tongue out at Daria, who’s shaking her head.
“Elita.” I can’t shake the feeling of dread like I shouldn’t know this term. “What does that have to do with Jaeger?”
“Everything.” Honey crouches in front of me and takes my hands in hers. “The reason you’re here—in a booth and not working the floor—is because Jaeger wants to claim you.”
“He can’t claim me. I’m not, not…” My brain is blanking like it did when I tried on the ring. Danger! Turn back! “This isn’t like that.”
“He brought you here to show you off in front of Fraternitas. He wants to claim you as his elita.”
“What would that entail?” Daria asks.
“I don’t know. The ritual is kept secret. Like everything about Fraternitas. I can try to get in touch with Odette—”
“No, don’t.” I shake my head.
“It’s like the skull rings,” Honey says. “They earn them by killing a man. Or is it ten?”
I get a violent flashback to Jaeger in the stairwell, the blood spattered on his jaw.
“Oh, gods.” I lean over my knees. “I don’t want to know.”
“Elodie,” Daria says, and I cover my ears with my hands. Not that I can hear anything over the loud rushing sound, like water crashing through a hole in a giant dam. I close my eyes.
When I open them again, Honey and Daria are looking at me sympathetically.
“I’m sure it’ll turn out okay,” Honey says. She squeezes my knee and stands.
“We have to get back to work.” Daria motions to Honey to leave and hesitates, looking back at me.
“Go,” I say. “I need a minute.” I have to calm down before I can face Jaeger and a roomful of men with skull rings.
Daria hesitates again, and I flap a hand at her. “I’ll be fine.” I knot my hands together until the door shuts, and I’m alone.
My ankle is sore but nowhere near as painful as it was yesterday. A good night’s sleep helped a ton. Maybe I’ll be mobile sooner than later.
And then what? Can I run? Where do I go? I can’t head to Aunt Carol’s. Besides not wanting to lead the loan sharks there, her hospitality will be stretched too thin. Better for me to run in the opposite direction.