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To be fair, the last time I saw her there was no talking involved. I didn’t really give a shit if she joined up or not. Most of the potential recruits don’t, and once my father gets them to the Main House, he hands them over to someone more skilled in this area, like Silas.

Jasmine curls against a pillow, wine in one hand, and beams up at me. “I don’t even know where to start. The last few months have been incredible. I’ve really immersed myself in the programs down at The Center. There’s just something about it that feels so right.” She reaches out and rests her hand on my thigh. “But you know that, right? I mean, you’d have to when you have someone as smart and powerful as Anex for a father.”

I reach for the wine, needing something to do with my mouth other than tell the truth about the man she idolizes. I swallow it down and do the job I promised to do.

“I hear you’re trying to decide if this is the life you want or not—long term.”

Her fingers play with the linen covering my thigh. “I know it’s what I want… it’s just that my family doesn’t approve. My father and I have been fighting about it. He thinks I’m tossing my life away to join some ‘hippie commune.’”

Her eyes roll as she mocks the word with air quotes.

“Well, he’s not entirely wrong. I mean, my father loves a drum circle.” I flash a grin. “But not everyone understands what it’s like to have a higher calling. To have the tug of something bigger than what you’re used to. Where we don’t worship chasing money, but seek a different way. It’s a life away from all the secular nonsense—all the traffic and non-stop connection. Phones and laptops and constant input.”

“Yes!” She jerks up, tits threatening to spill out of the top. “It’s so much more than just a group of people living together. It’s a revolution. It’s something I want to be part of.”

I reach out and push a lock of hair behind her ear. “You want Enlightenment.”

Her eyes lower to my mouth. “More than I’ve wanted anything before.”

I clear my throat. “Let me guess. Your father doesn’t like the idea of you relinquishing your secular connection?”

Money.

She smiles, impressed by my bluntness. “No. He thinks it’s a scam—a way to steal the Cobra empire.” She snorts. “As if my trust fund even makes a dent in his billions.”

“My father has no need for another’s empire, but what he does demand is absolute commitment. Loyalty and dedication. You’re a guest here, but out there—” I jerk my thumb to the land behind the Main House, “—that is where the real Serendee lies. Where the real value is in giving everything up to live this life. The sustainability, the organic food, the fresh air, and peaceful life. Access to that, to Anex’s teaching, to the lifestyle afforded to residents, it’s expensive. You’re not buying in with dollars—you’re trading an old life for a new one.”

I see the wheels turning in Jasmine’s head. She wants this, but she has to give up everything to take it. Her family, her money, her future. That part she understands. What she doesn’t know is everything else Anex will take.

The door of the cottage opens, and Silas appears in the gap. He’s shirtless, wearing a pair of obscenely tight swim trunks. “Oh sorry, I didn’t know the room was occupied.”

A shadow moves behind him: his target.

“There’s room for everyone,” I say, ignoring Jasmine’s questioning expression. I rest my hand on top of hers and give it a squeeze, before hopping up. “I just opened a bottle of wine—let me get you a glass.”

Silas enters and gestures to the man following him, “This is Robert.”

“Jasmine.” Her eyes take him in. These two have more in common than looks. Their wealth wafts off of them like a perfume. There’s no need for an introduction with me and Silas. We’re inner circle. We’re known. It’s what allows me to do what comes next.

“We were just talking about taking the next step toward Enlightenment. What it’s like to be part of this community.” I allow my eyes to slide from Silas to Robert. “Anex doesn’t believe in coincidences. He calls those opportunities. I have to think you showing up means that you were both sent by The Way.”

“Very perceptive,” Silas says. “So, you’re saying you’d like us to join you?”

“Please.” I open a drawer and pull out a box of matches. “How about lighting the candles?”

Robert takes them and the scent of sulfur fills the air as he strikes the match against the graphite. I grab the bottle of wine and turn my back to Jasmine and Robert.

Silas leans toward me. “I can’t believe he let you out.”

“He needed something from me,” I whisper, glancing over my shoulder. Robert smiles at something Jasmine says. Good, they’re distracted. “And I made a deal.”

His eyebrows rise. “For?”

I hold his gaze, but don’t speak her name. Understanding lights in his eyes.

“I have to lock Jasmine in. But if we play this right, we can kill two birds with one stone.” I fill the glass. “I can’t cheat on her, Silas. She’s my mate. I made a promise, and I won’t let him destroy that.”

He nods, pushing the second glass closer. “I understand.” He inhales. “Remember that weekend your father sent us to the hotel for my sixteenth birthday?”