14. Sid
SID
C ars surround the open meadow.
Mountains keep us private from the outside world. This moment is ours.
A small fire is lit, rocks encompass it and thirteen shadows stand around the dancing light, accompanied by two sweet baby pigs, Jack and Sally.
Taking a deep breath, I hold it in my lungs, trying to slow the racing of my heart. My palms are damp and moths flutter in my stomach.
Closing my eyes, I exhale slowly through my nose.
Repeating this process a couple more times assists in elevating my heart rate to a somewhat acceptable beat, followed by picturing Jack and Sally frolicking together.
They always calm me and provide me with the most joy a human could ever experience, besides killing.
Raising my hands, my fingers tangle themselves in my hair, where my veil dramatically hangs. Unclipping it, I let it fall out of my hair because tonight it’s being replaced with a crown.
Before gathering the courage to get out of the Bentley, I reach for the visor and flip it down.
Sliding the small cover, the mirror reveals itself with the automatic lights.
I take in my appearance: blood is dried under my chin to down my neck and beyond, and the splatter on my face really adds to the aesthetic.
I like it. What a night, a bloodied bride, a corpse in her slaughterhouse, and next to be crowned queen.
My life is surreal but so fucking perfect… Almost.
There should be fourteen around the flames. Closing the visor, I shake my head and rid myself of any sorrow or negative thoughts. Tonight has been perfect and I will not bring any bad energy with me to this.
Opening the car door, I step onto the crisp grass, which tickles my toes, and breathe in, filling my lungs with fresh mountain air.
A gentle breeze blows delicately over me as I take in the moon's energy. Slow steps follow and my feet guide me toward my family, chosen and blood. I don’t focus on them, my eyes and memory are trying to absorb every ounce of this moment, to ingrain it into my brain for life.
This is not a moment to be forgotten, this is girl fucking power at its finest.
Silence greets me once I reach the cluster of members waiting for me.
All of them are in black, from head to toe.
The contrast of our outfits makes me smirk, it’s perfect.
Reaching forward I attempt to take a hold of the leashes for my babies, but Mom shakes her head once, denying me.
I nod, understanding, and turn my attention to Papa who is standing at the twelve directly across from me.
“So let it begin.” His deep voice brings chills up my spine and down my arms.
Standing still, I am unsure what is to come next, or if I am expected to do something.
I feel my chest rising, hyper aware of all my body's movements and the movements of those surrounding us, uncertainty will do that.
The others step back, including my babies, each of them give a snort, cheering me on.
This has been the first time I have been so nervous and intimidated in my life. But I am a strong motherfucker, nerves and anxiety will not deny me of that.
“It is your birthright, your destiny, and my honor to name you the next Diablo of The Devil’s Society.
It has been the greatest privilege of my life, watching you blossom into the leader you are today.
” Papa pauses. I can feel his emotion and pride and I swear to fuck if he makes me cry, I will be so annoyed.
The urge to stomp my foot is strong, but I resist out of respect for the process.
“This is the first ceremony of such stature we have had. I racked my brain for days, months even, trying to decide how this should be done. Then Rylee reminded me, sometimes the best solutions are the easiest. And she was right, as usual.” A few chuckle.
I can see Papa’s distinguished smile lines embedded into the depths of his face, shadowing against the bright flames.
I admire how much he loves her, Rylee, a love like Mom and Dad’s.
It comes once in a lifetime and you never take advantage of it .
As the group silences, he continues. “When it’s your turn to pass this responsibility down, you will do it as you see fit, which I predict will include a lot of enthusiasm, calculated chaos, and extravagance.
” That’s a nice way of him saying dramatics, as no expense is too dramatic, and in true me style, of course.
“Sid, please take a seat,” he instructs.
My face contorts in confusion. Does he mean on the ground?
But my questions are quickly answered once he steps aside, revealing a wooden high-back throne, and I burst out laughing in disbelief, because I will not cry.
This gesture is beyond purposeful. This is love.
A bond, a respect between grandfather and granddaughter, and a leader and his heir.
Unable to help myself, I turn into a blubbering idiot, tears I have been holding back flooding my cheeks as my nose sniffles trying to mask my emotions. But I am not ashamed, I let them flow.
My toes curl as grass tickles between them, and I ground myself once more before preparing to take the first step toward the rest of my life.
In my periphery, I catch a glimpse of Greta, Lucy, and Uncle Thomas as I pass them.
Greta’s distinct aroma of nicotine and musk invade my nose, which then brings me to think of her and Rogers as a couple.
It occupies my mind, distracting me until reaching the throne.
My hands reach out and touch the hard, wooden arms. I shake my head in disbelief.
All of this for me? Are they sure? Papa reads my mind, placing his hand on top of mine, and he curls his fingers underneath and gives me a gentle squeeze of reassurance while whispering, “Take a seat. It’s yours now.
” Dammit, this man is attacking me in all the feels tonight.
Well fucking played, Papa, well fucking played.
Once his hand releases from mine, I turn around and let the wood guide me down. Bending my knees, I lower myself until my bottom reaches the hard surface. Closing my eyes, I take another deep inhale through my nose. The tears have subsided, but could resume their flow at any moment, it seems.
“It was many years ago when we, the upper ranks, started to notice The Devil’s Society emblem being carved into the skin of The Damned, our new initiates, and to those who joined us prior to that.
” My eyes shift, unsure of where this could be going.
“What you all didn’t know was, us old-timers did it first.” The corner of my lip rises, curious and excited about where this could be going. Have they had them this entire time?
Papa undoes the first buttons of his shirt, pulling one corner to the side.
He steps forward so I can see. I lean forward, but all I see is his silver chest hair.
Looking up at him, I ask, “What am I meant to be looking at?” A few snickers follow and I bite my lip, stopping a laugh from bursting out myself.
“It’s okay, I got this.” Rylee comes to save the day. Stepping up, she lifts her top, exposing her bra, and also fabulous tits. This woman is perfection, but that’s besides the fact. Next, she flips her bra strap up from under her arm. “Do you see it?” she asks .
I lean closer to her and see faintly, a small scar decorating the side of her ribs, just under her armpit. The shape reminds me of a snake with maybe a circle or letter D underneath, it’s hard to tell.
“Our original founding members did this days after founding our organization, the society. And now it’s your turn. It’s sacred, share this only with someone you can trust into death. As we are now trusting you with our lives.”
Sitting back, the responsibility of hundreds of people’s lives now weighs heavily on my shoulders. Doubt tries to cross my mind, but I don’t allow it to linger. I’ve trained for this moment my entire fucking life. I can do this.
The crunching of grass catching my attention.
Looking toward the noise, Lucy is making her way over to me.
In head to toe black like the others, her hair is long, cascading over her shoulders, and a giant smile adorns her face.
She seems far too excited for my liking, just as sadistic as I am, in her own way.
Standing in front of me now, she boxes me in, placing her hands on the armrests. “Left or right?” she asks.
I look back at her, confused, and hesitantly respond with, “Left?”
Lifting one hand, her finger brushes against my bare skin, pushing my hair over my shoulder. Goosebumps follow and I am so fucking embarrassed that my body is betraying me.
Once satisfied, she reaches behind her and pulls out a blade. It shines beautifully under the moonlight and my body is now giddy with excitement. I love where this could be going, naughty bitch.
Lifting her hand, she places the sharp tip into my exposed skin and presses in deep, then she starts cutting. The sting, the parting of flesh, and the feeling of my warm blood beginning to drip down my body, feels so fucking good, it’s euphoric.
Her body leans farther into mine, and her mouth moves, whispering sweet words. “This is how the adults play.”
I smile at her statement and continue to feel the release she is giving me. I don’t look down, I don’t watch her work. I focus on her face. Lucy’s eyes squint slightly, she loves this just as much as I do, as her lips part and her head tilts.
She is a woman dedicated to the craft.
“Your family didn’t want to make you bleed. They asked me to do the honors and I gladly accepted. To make you bleed, at my mercy. How could I say no?” She speaks with such mischief, and the wink at the end only adds to her allure.