Chapter 2 #2
Her smile widens. "While I'd love the opportunity to show you what I'm capable of, that isn't my role tonight. But if you do not use this time wisely, others are waiting. And trust me, there will be no option to fight if they come through this door."
My chest tightens. The room suffocates me further. I don't move.
She softens her tone. "If you die, I will too."
"Aw. You love me already, Juliet?" I tease.
Her expression hardens. "This isn't a game, Brax!"
I put my hands in the air. "Fine. Lighten up, though. It's hot enough in here without you breathing fire at me."
She tilts her head.
I glance back at the keyhole on the door and decide I'd better take this seriously. I saw how they made Sean kill all those men. So I grumble, "Fine. Do your thing. But is there any ice in here?" I step in front of the fridge and push the lever on the door.
It grinds, but no ice comes out.
I mutter, "You sure they don't want to kill us from heat stroke?"
"It's our punishment."
I spin. "Our?"
She stares at me.
"Go on. I can handle it. Why would we both get punished?" I ask.
She shakes her head. "Don't ask questions."
"Why?"
"Do you ever listen?"
I nod. "All the time."
"Then use those skills now. We have..." She glances at her watch and her voice drops. "Less than five hours."
"In this sweat lodge?"
"Yep."
"Fuck." I shake my head in annoyance, then step into the hallway.
"Where are you going?" she frets, close on my heels.
"To find the shower. You can join me," I offer, and swing open the first door.
"Brax, this isn't a game," she warns.
"Yep. I get that. But I need to cool off," I state, and find the bathroom. I open the glass door, turn the knob, and water rushes out. "Thank you, Jesus."
I drop my sweats.
"Really?" she whines.
I turn my head and wiggle my eyebrows. "I'll unzip your dress if you want."
"You're not taking this seriously!"
"Valentina, chill out. I need a quick shower to cool off, then I promise I'll do what you want," I vow, and stick my hand in the water. "Fuck!" I shout, pulling my hand back.
"There's no cold water in the bathroom. Only the kitchen faucet," Valentina says.
I turn the knob, but the steam grows.
"You're only making it hotter," she claims.
"Dammit!" I turn off the water and spin. "This is absurd!"
Her eyes widen. She looks at my cock and swallows hard.
"Don't worry. It gets bigger," I flaunt.
She slowly lifts her gaze to mine.
I grin.
Valentina jabs my chest. "Get your clothes on and stop messing around. I'm not dying or losing my spot at the table due to your stupidity!"
"Seat at the table?" I question.
"Get your clothes on," she repeats, spins, and leaves.
I glance at my wet sweatpants and boxers. There's no way I'm putting those on. I open the linen closet and grab a towel, wrap it around me, and go directly to the kitchen sink.
"I said to put your clothes on," Valentina calls out.
"Not wearing wet pants, sexy Minx." I turn on the water, lean down, and splash cold water on my face.
She snarls, "Can you please take this seriously?"
I turn. "Fine. Is there any food in here?" I yank open the fridge.
She groans.
"These people are sadistic," I mutter at the empty fridge and reach for the pantry.
"You won't find anything. Drink some water if you must," she orders.
"Not a huge fan of water unless I'm fighting," I admit, then jump up on the counter.
She keeps her darts aimed at me.
I put my hands in the air. "Well? Go on."
She scrubs her hand over her face and groans. "You're impossible."
"More like amazing. So do your thing. Teach me, oh wise one," I taunt.
She pulls out the barstool and sits. "The first thing you have to memorize is the Underworld Inscriptions."
"Inscriptions?"
"Yes."
I grunt. "And you don't call this a cult?"
Anger fills her expression. "Say it again and it'll be the end for both of us."
"So dramatic."
"Brax—"
"Fine. I won't call it a cult."
She stares at me, her chest rising and falling slowly.
I jump off the counter and take the stool next to her. "Underworld Inscriptions. You were saying?"
She turns. "Number one. Blood remembers. No oath is forgotten. No betrayal fades. The body pays for what the soul declares."
I glance at her crossed thighs. "I'm ok if you want your soul to declare to make my body pay."
She swats me. "Time to pay attention, Brax. Take this seriously."
I groan. "Fine."
"So repeat it," she orders.
I state, "Blood remembers. No oath is forgotten. No betrayal fades. The body pays for what the soul declares."
She asks, "And do you understand what that means?"
I run my index finger over her tattoo. "Sure do, little Minx."
She pushes it off her. "Then tell me."
I whine, "You're no fun."
"You said you'd take this seriously! This isn't a joke! You're going to get me killed!" she cries out, fear erupting on her expression for the first time.
It stops me in my tracks.
She blinks hard and turns her head.
I cave. "Okay. Sorry. I get it. I'll be serious."
She looks at me. "Then tell me what it means?"
I don't hesitate. I'm not new to the world of loyalty. "I assume it means that once you're part of the Underworld, there's no getting out. Anyone who dares be disloyal pays by death."
She nods and smiles. "Good."
"Told you I had a brain," I tease.
She cracks a smile. "The next one will be harder for you to comprehend."
"Why is that?" I ask.
Valentina relays, "Speak little. See everything. A silent tongue lives longer. A careless tongue feeds the grave."
"You're wrong. I know all about taking secrets to the grave," I boast.
"Why do I find that hard to believe?" she questions.
"I'm not a rat," I hurl.
She holds her hands in the air. "I didn't say that."
"Didn't you?"
"No. I just meant you talk a lot."
"Joking around has nothing to do with knowing when to keep your mouth shut. I'm not a rat now and never will be. And I know how to observe others," I insist.
She sits straighter. "Okay. Good."
I glare at her.
She clears her throat. "Number three. Repeat after me. A life taken is a debt paid. But a life spared is a chain placed. Mercy binds the hand that offers it."
I recite, "A life taken is a debt paid. But a life spared is a chain placed. Mercy binds the hand that offers it."
She presses, "And what does it mean?"
"It means—" I freeze, except for my stomach flipping.
Valentina insists, "Tell me what it means, Brax."
The chill resumes in my spine. I meet her eye. "It means I just placed a chain around Sean, and the Underworld isn't going to show him any mercy."
She gives me a knowing look. "That's right. So now do you understand why this isn't a joke?"
I say nothing, feeling a dread pour over me like nothing I've ever felt before.