Page 47 of Twisted Truths (The Sunburnt Hearts #4)

“How do you know Franklin won’t be there?”

“They won’t risk him coming into contact with the uncleansed,” Hadley says, her eyes fixed on the hand-drawn map. “So, you think the ceremony is our opening?” Her question is directed at Gabriel, who nods, a grim look marring his features.

“The entire Circle will be gathered in one place. Every adult is expected to attend, including the sentinels. It’s non-negotiable. The ritual is their way of purging their taint.”

My jaw tightens. “What the hell does that involve? What exactly do they do?”

“The burning of herbs in the Ring of Purity. They write down their ‘spiritual purities’ and toss them into the flames. Sometimes there’s bloodletting to show surrender of ego.”

“And they do this every full moon?”

Gabriel shares a long look with Hadley before shaking his head. “This month the full moon coincides with a total lunar eclipse, or a Blood Moon. They only happen every two to three years.”

“The last one occurred the month after I arrived at the Circle,” Hadley adds softly.

I don’t miss the way Gabriel grimaces.

“What happened?” I’m not sure I really want to know.

“As I was the only new member since my sister lost her baby and her life, Seraphina felt my arrival was a sign of renewal. She called me the Offering of Ash . A symbol of rebirth through suffering.”

Gabriel drops his head. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to stop what happened to you.”

My stomach drops. Knowing I won’t like what I hear, I push back my chair and go to Hadley, pulling her into my embrace.

She rests her head on my chest. “You couldn’t have stopped it, if you were.”

“Why weren’t you there?” I ask, trying and failing to keep my tone level.

“Losing Maddy and Annie wrecked me,” he murmurs. “I was what my parents would call ‘disillusioned’.”

“Wouldn’t that make them want you to purge?”

“I think they were worried they were losing me. If I had seen Hadley back then, I would have burned the place to the ground to save her. My mother wouldn’t risk that happening, so she placed me on duty, guarding the underage children while their parents attended the ritual.”

“She told me to stay out of your way, or I’d be exiled,” Hadley adds.

Tilting her chin with my finger so she’s looking at me, I stare into her mesmerising green eyes. “Tell me what they did to you.”

She licks her lips, but I refrain from leaning down and kissing her. I need to hear this, as much as I know it’s going to tear me apart.

“I was forced to kneel beneath the alter for the entire night. No food, no water, until sunrise. She wanted to see if I’d break. If I did, I wasn’t worthy. If I didn’t … I earned my place.”

Gabriel growls. “It’s my mother’s twisted way of controlling people. If you don’t undertake the rite, you’re labelled as tainted. Unclean. Unfit. It’s not simply spiritual. It’s social conditioning. Obey or be cast out.”

“They’re going to fucking pay for this,” I promise Hadley, brushing my lips over hers, not caring we have an audience. “I promise you, little possum. They will all pay.”

A sad smile tugs at her lips. “I don’t need retribution, Nash. I’ve made peace with my past. All I want is to look to my future with you and Franklin.”

Closing my eyes, I rest my forehead on hers.

I want that. Hadley and Franklin.

When I returned to Barrenridge, a girlfriend and a baby were so far off my radar, they didn’t exist at all. But in a short time, this strong woman has captured my heart, and I’m more than happy to hand it over.

Hadley has lived a traumatic life. She’s gone through so much, but she remains positive despite it all. I’m not surprised Zara connected with her in the cult. They have similar personalities, and I know my sister would be happy to know we’ve found each other.

“When everyone is busy at the ceremony,” Gabriel says, interrupting my thoughts. “I’ll cause a distraction and buy you guys time to slip in and get Franklin.”

I narrow my eyes. “You’re going to interrupt the ritual? ”

He smirks faintly, but there’s no humour in it. “They already exiled me. Might as well give them a reason to mean it.”

Hadley glances between us. “Won’t that make them more aggressive? What if they lock down the property?”

“It’s a risk,” Gabriel admits. “But this whole plan is. I think it’s more likely to cause confusion and fear. Some of them might see it as a bad omen, and that hesitation should buy you time.”

“Should,” I mutter under my breath, still not happy about putting Hadley in danger.

“What about whoever’s guarding the children?” Hadley asks.

Gabriel hesitates, and I know I’m not going to like whatever he’s about to say.

“Tell us,” I demand. “I’m not taking her into this blind. It’s too dangerous.”

He locks his attention on her. “There’s only one person I trust to ask for help … Isaac.”

“How do you know you can trust him?” I bite out when Hadley remains quiet.

“Isaac was only young when we lost Ezekial, and while he was as devastated as the rest of us, he didn’t understand the changes in our parents.

He asked questions at first, but he learned pretty quickly to just go along with things, to say what they wanted him to say.

Do what was expected. It kept the peace. ”

“How do you know he wasn’t buying into it all?” I challenge. “Wouldn’t it be easier to brainwash someone so young?”

“He came to me once, not long after I lost Maddie and Annie, questioning some things he overheard me yelling at my mother. I told him to keep his head down. ”

“So, you’re saying he’s pretending to go along with everything?” I’m sceptical.

“I’m saying he’s surviving,” Gabriel replies, his voice tightening. “He keeps his head down, but he’s not like them. Isaac’s a free spirit, and hates being trapped in the Circle. He desperately wants freedom. He’ll help us.”

I look down at Hadley, who is playing with her locket, deep in thought. “What do you think?”

She shrugs. “I like Isaac. He’s always been kind to me.”

Exhaling deeply, I close my eyes and run a hand through my hair. The whole plan is risky, and it’s making me nervous with all the puzzle pieces needing to fall into place, but Gabriel’s right: we need inside help. I only hope we’re putting our trust in the right people.

“We’ll only get one chance at this. He better not screw us over,” I mutter. “If he does?—”

“He won’t,” Gabriel states without hesitation.

“Okay, so what’s the plan once we get Franklin out of there?”