Chapter 21
Ryven
I need to simmer my anger toward Rory. I understand why she is so upset over everything, but I never claimed to be a good person. Children are children. But when we become adults, we forge our own paths.
Unfortunately for me, the death of my best friend at the hands of my supposed brothers is what forged mine. While I might look like a cult member on the outside, I do what I have to do. Now, I’ve worked my way up the ranks. I have the power. And I know exactly where to aim it. If I don’t miss.
I pinch the bridge of my nose.
She lets out a huff. “I’m sorry.” Her words hit harder than I’m sure she means them to. “I know you struggle with his death, too. But, I just can’t fathom killing people and living like my life is normal.”
I raise my brow. “You literally just killed Thomas, and it seems like you are doing fine.”
She rolls her eyes. “That was self-defense. It was him or me. You and your cult torture innocent people for a God that doesn’t exist.”
I sigh. “There is no point in arguing with you over this. Not when neither of us is going to change. You have what you believe, and I’m doing what I need to survive. Now, can we talk about why I’m really here?”
She squints her eyes as if she is going to tell me to fuck off. But then she says, “Fine.”
I take in a deep breath. “We both have spent years making the cult members’ lives hell every chance we get.
I have used my time wisely, learning the ins and outs of the cult and gaining their trust.” I retrieve a small seal from my pocket and hold it out to her.
“This is what changes everything. I know who the targets are now—who, when, and where.”
She takes the metal from my hand and inspects each side. “Why does this give you power?”
“Because that is the seal of the council.”
She drops it to the ground like it’s burning her and scoots away from it. Like it might kill her too.
I pick it up and return it to my pocket. “What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head. “That seal signed my brother’s death.”
She’s right. I didn’t even think about that. I nod. “Now, it’ll be the one getting his revenge.”
She gazes from the floor with curiosity. Does she trust I’ll use this new power for the better? I open my mouth to speak, but she stops me.
“Tell me what I can do to help.” She hesitates.
“We need to get the rebellion on the same page as us, or this will never work.”
She scoffs. “You think the rebellion’s going to help you?”
I raise my brow. “You.”
She points to herself. “Why me?”
I chuckle. “You just moved into a powerful position as well. Or did you forget the fact you just killed your boss?”
Her eyes widen as reality sinks in. “Oh shit.”
I nod. “Exactly. Which makes you the next rebel in line to lead. Which means… you have some power to persuade them to help me.”
“I will do my best, but I have to go to them with a well thought out plan, or they won't even give me the time of day.”
“Ah yes, the plan. This is what I was thinking. I know who the victims are, which means I’ll assign the cult members to their kills. I could give you guys a heads-up, and you can wait for them and strike if you can. We could potentially kill them off one by one.”
“That could work, but how could they trust you aren't setting them up for death? Like you aren’t just luring us all out to pick us off one by one.”
I groan and close the distance between us. I grab her by the throat. “What else do I need to do to prove myself—to you, of all people, Ro? I’ve done everything you have asked of me except leave you alone. And I won't. I don’t understand why you think I would ever hurt you.”
She shrugs. “It’s not me I’m worried about. I’m worried about my people. Your love for me is what keeps me safe, but what about them? What assurances can I give them, Ryven? Because right now… you sound just like them.”
She is not wrong. My love for her is what keeps her safe. But I’m not the terrible person she believes me to be. I only kill those who deserve it and to keep my place within the ranks of the cult.
I let out a breath. “Talk to them. Find out what’ll make them feel safe. I’ll do what I can.” I stand from the floor. “For now, I have a problem to fix.” And I don’t have time ot argue with her. I leave her house before she can stop me and head for the woods.
Dark shadows of the moon shine through the trees, dancing around me as I walk with Thomas’ body over my shoulder. Staging his death to make it look like a ritual killing isn’t easy.
Being called out to the scene of a sacrifice as a regular district member is a little different than seeing the cult kill one of your own. But I have to do this, or Rory could be caught by her people.
If I make it look like a crime of passion where someone tried to cover it with a cult sacrifice, it could be enough to take them off her scent and mine.
Kill two birds with one stone.
I drop his body next to the half-assed pentagram I scratched into the dirt. This has to work.
I back away to admire my work when a branch snaps in the distance. I quickly take cover before anyone sees me and wait to see who comes out of the woods.
Slowly, a wolf comes into view. He sniffs the air briefly before looking behind him as if signaling someone else. Then, another wolf steps out of the tree line behind the first one.
And just like that, a whole damn pack emerges. Great.
The wolves get closer and closer until the first one tests the taste of the body and then howls. The rest of the wolves gather around it and then they drag it the way they came.
Once they leave the area, I emerge from the trees and look at my empty circle in disbelief. “Fucking wolves,” I mutter. “Of course.” I grab my bag from the ground and head back through the woods.
If the universe wants the wolves to clean up my mess, I won’t argue. If they leave a single bone behind, I’m feeding them my boots next. I don’t get lucky twice.