Chapter 19 Anthesis
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ANTHESIS
Engaging in sexual activity with a Feeder is prohibited. If you desire them as your mate, you must turn them into a nightwalker. Failing to do so is punishable by death.
— Serun’s Law
“She has bloomed,” Mum says as she kneels before the altar inside the church. Candlelight dances down the aisle and flickers on either side of the pews, as if listening.
I stand beside her, a sickening churning stirring within me.
Before me is a statue of a woman. Water spills from her eyes in thick silver tears, and flames rise from underneath her feet.
Mum says this woman sacrificed herself to keep us safe.
Whenever I step into this church, it feels as if a thousand eyes are watching me.
“Yes, we will begin the ceremony after I give birth. Hope says it’s another girl. So, we will wait.”
I glance up at the statue, unsure whether Mum is talking to herself or someone I cannot see or hear.
“Kneel, daughter,” Mum whispers.
Dropping to my knees and clasping my hands before me, I bow my head and listen, straining to hear what my mother is hearing. The candle flames continue to flicker around us, and the wind howls outside. As I take a deep breath in and let it out, a crackling sound stirs in my ear.
Insects scurry through blades of grass, and petals of muted hues unfurl as they bloom. It all weaves around me until I taste soil in my mouth, the sting of bugs breaking the skin, and blooming moonflowers spill from my back.
Through the ethereal noise, a voice like silk says, “Pir avacen.”
“You’re seeing the nightwalker again?” Cole hisses as I lean forward on the bed. From the corner of my eye, I catch sight of Manni and Emily wearing matching expressions of disbelief. “Do you want to die?”
I grab Cole’s arm and shuffle closer to him. The potent and irritating scent of tangy sweat tickles my nose. He has been sitting in the sun again. “They gave me juice. They gave me fucking pancakes! I can share it with you tomorrow—with all of you!”
He glares at me. “But that’s not why you’re doing it. You’ve been acting weird…”
Letting go of his arm, I plant my hands on the edge of the mattress and glare over at the Bleeder waiting for me by the door.
“I was bitten. That bite left something on my skin. I want answers—to learn what it all means.” I lower my voice to make sure the Bleeder can’t hear me.
“Because when we make our escape, the last thing I need is to risk having any connection to him.”
“Fair.” Emily grabs her pillow, props it between her knees and then wraps her arms around it. “I’d rather not have a nightwalker stalking us out there.”
Manni nods. “If Jax gets mad over it, we will defend you, Saya.”
Taking a deep breath, I stand and turn to playfully ruffle Cole’s hair. He swats my arm away with a grumble, but nods, accepting my decision.
The Bleeder takes me downstairs, and as we pass the praised room, I glimpse more stunned expressions as I voluntarily return to what amounts to a death trap.
But I survived last time. And now I have an agenda.
A motive.
I have questions I need answered.