Page 73 of Ceremony of Lust

The first time I was asked to do something questionable for the Elders, I brushed it aside. I was fine collecting rent and enforcing evictions. But paying women thousands of dollars to disappear was different. I felt uneasy handing them a check, telling them coldly to pack their shit and leave, to never come back. The funny thing was, most women didn’t seem to mind. Some were more than willing to accept the money I offered. But it got more and more difficult as I learned the truth about the lives of the men of Ripley. They weren’t just insatiable fiends; they were cruel monsters. It makes me sick thinking about how I’ve covered up crimes for these people.

Destroying evidence.

Harassing and stalking women, pushing them to the brink of insanity until they dropped any charges.

Digging into their lives, uncovering their skeletons and using their secrets to manipulate them.

I’ve kept track of everything I’ve ever done, just in case. Over the years, my conscience has grown heavier, but nothing stopped me from saying “no” to them.

Until I was matched with Yael.

The moment we were betrothed, I realized the gravity of my situation, the seriousness of everything I’ve done over the years. I knew it was time to change.

When I witnessed the predatory look in the eye of the Chief Elder, it was obvious Anders coveted what I was given. There is no doubt in my mind he paid Hadassah to choose him on the night of Yael’s Selection Ceremony. I’m not sure why she didn’t. She’s done it before—matched a predator with his prey—so what made her change her mind this time?

I quickly make my way through the house to the walk-in closet in my former bedroom and search for the hidden panel. With a press of my fingers, it pops open, and I gather the files and photographs I’ve kept over the years. As soon as I have everything, I replace the panel and leave. Undoubtedly, the security guards are most likely being paid to watch the penthouse, and by now, they have probably alerted Anders.

As much as I want to stay and search for traces of Yael’s perfume still lingering in the air, I leave. This time, I use the stairs. It’s safer and will give me a few more minutes to remain undetected before the guards at the front desk come looking for me.

Once I’m safely behind the wheel of my car, I steer toward the exit of the parking garage. I have a decision to make—head toward the safe house I established years ago should the need arise or make my way to the Mystic and ask her why she chose me over Anders. The latter option keeps me in jeopardy a while longer but may provide me with the key to the Chief Elder’s undoing.

It’s not enough for me to bring down the Elders. Some of them truly don’t care whether or not they remain in power, but Anders is different. He relishes in the power given to him freely, appointed by the people of Ripley. He enforces the cultural laws we’ve abided by for too long and enacts new edicts meant to keep him in power.

It all can change. It can all come tumbling down if I push hard enough.

41

Yael

Time passes slowlywith Zev gone. It’s only been a few days, but it feels like weeks. His absence mixed with my morning sickness is a miserable combination. Luckily, my grandmother arrived to stay with me for a few days and nurse me.

It’s almost the way my life used to be before I turned eighteen. Before I stepped onto the dais in the middle of the Temple and Hadassah chose my husband.

My grandmother took care of me, doted upon me whenever I was sick, and this is no different.

“You shouldn’t be using the stairs,” she scolds when she catches me creeping downstairs.

For once, my stomach is settled, and I don’t feel like a wet rag. “I’ll stay on the couch, then,” I tell her. “I’m pregnant, Grandmother, not dying.”

“You could trip,” she snaps unexpectedly. “And then what would you tell your husband?”

“What’s wrong with you? Why are you angry?” I settle myself on the couch as she sets a tray of tea and burnt toast on the coffee table in front of me.

“I’m an old woman, Yael. How do you think I should feel when my granddaughter moves away and then her husband leaves her?”

I nibble at the edge of a piece of toast. “Zev is working, and I thought you were happy about us moving out of Ripley?”

“I am,” she says, but I watch her, noting how her fingers fidget in her lap and her eyes dart around the room. She’s definitely keeping something from me.

“Tell me what’s really bothering you,” I demand.

“You know what Ripley is like, Yael. Everyone gossips, and they haven’t stopped talking about you and Zev since you were matched.”

“And what are they saying about us now?”

“You know what they say about wolves, Yael. They like to prowl. According to gossip, Zev has been lurking in the shadows of Ripley, preying on innocent women.” I laugh at the absurdity of these rumors.

“You shouldn’t laugh, Yael,” she snaps. “Women are being attacked on our streets. Young girls not even matched yet…” Her voice drifts away, and her eyes glaze over.