Page 34 of This Blood That Breaks Us

“It’s the day before the new moon, we have a time of prayer.”

“Oh.”

While readying myself, I mulled over the new information. I knew She was The Divine, but I’d never considered praying to Her before. Zach had mentioned Sirius making him “pray to a wall” every morning, but Ezra had never spoken of it to me before.

We followed him to the cathedral, where he had Thane wait outside with Will. Snow flurries disappeared into the white linen covering his shoulders. He simply nodded, and I entered through the doors with Ezra.

Lit candles covered the floor. Everyone was there. Even my brother kneeled before Her. She sat in Her throne above all with a veil covering Her face, and Her lips widened with a smile at my arrival. She was draped in layers of white tulle, and a flower crown sat atop her head.

The weight of the world fell away as I took a place next to my brother. He sighed when he saw me and gave me a bored welcome nod. Ezra and Sirius walked to stand on either side of Her.

“Our family is finally complete. The Divine favors us.”

“The one true path,” everyone repeated.

Everyone bowed their heads while Ezra and Sirius kneeled.

Everyone knelt with their heads on the floor. Zach and I shrugged, then did the same.

With my head to the floor, I closed my eyes. When I was a kid, I tried to pray like Mom wanted me to. I’d bow my head and squeeze my eyes shut like her. I’d even lace my fingers together in my lap. Mom believed with her entire heart. So I tried too.

Now I was on my knees again, kneeling to Her. A different god.

Thirty of us didn’t fill up the cathedral in the slightest. The usual group of laughing, unruly men were all entranced with stoic reverence.

“Today we come together to anoint one of you. And celebrate the return of our precious Gemini twins.” Her voice was unwavering and strong. It was different in a way I couldn’t place my finger on. “My agents of chaos. We know the way. The Divine makes the path clear and binds us together. Our unity reshapes the fabric of the world. Nothing can tear us apart.”

A hushed rush of prayers filled the room.

“Glory be to Her.”

“Show us the way.”

“Pick me. Please.”

“Glory. Glory. Glory.”

“I’m feeling a draw today toward one of you. Soft. Courageous.” She stood and let Her draping fall. “One of our newest family members, Connell. Please come sit at my feet.”

A hushed gasp echoed, and Connell scurried to the front. He vibrated with excitement and his eyes went wide as She touched his face.

Something in my chest ached. I averted my gaze to the floor again. Was I jealous? Was it because he reminded me of my brothers? My hands tingled like panic was coming for me, but I needed to know what the anointing meant.

“Show me what hurts,” She said. Her words were soft, but Her gaze was like a dagger.

“Yes, Beautiful Glorious Honorable One. Thank you. Thank you.”

We waited while She searched his mind, and he held out his hands in surrender to Her.

“There. He hurt you, didn’t he? Your father was a terrible man. I can take all that pain from you. You’ll never have to remember that moment again. Would you like that?”

“Yes, please.”

“It’s done.” She kissed his forehead.

I opened and closed my hands to relieve the tingling, but it wasn’t stopping. I didn’t want to be there. Everyone fell into Her trance, and all I experienced was panic working its way up my spine and into my extremities. Even my brother was enamored and followed Her every move. There was something wrong. I was wrong. I needed out.

Sirius spoke, “Let’s all take a moment to praise Her for performing this miracle for our brotherhood. A win for one is a win for all.”