Page 64 of Wicked Salvation

Isn’t that what you want? For her to be yours forever?

An affirmative answer is at the tip of my tongue.

But a vision of Eden flashes before my eyes—there’s no warmth in her smile, her eyes glazed over even though they’re glued to me, everything from her lips an echo of my own thoughts. My stomach lurches uncomfortably.

“I want her pliant, but I want her to do itwillingly.”

A hollow laugh fills my head.

Every so often I remember why you were my second choice.

Fire rips through my veins.

“I’ll give you real blood. Just not hers.” I say through gritted teeth, running a hand through my hair here, while I clench the other so tight my fingernails draw blood from my palm.

The dust swirls, only less violent.

Very well. Tonight.

Then the presence disappears.

I suck in a breath so deep it rattles my entire body. I slide down the wall, resting the back of my head against the wooden wall behind me. The Sacred Binding Rite is my last resort. As stubborn as she is, I want Eden as she is—with all her thoughts, dreams and annoying desire for independence.

I want to break her soul myself.

While I’m sitting on the ground trying to stabilize myself, I get my phone out and head to the Order’s group chat. I scroll past a message from Anastazya letting me know that Eden is in her room sulking.

I’ll deal with that tomorrow.

We meet tonight.

Cedric:

The Communion is in a few days.

I know. We still offer tonight.

There’s a long moment of quiet in the group chat.

I knew that there would be some sort of push back, but ultimately they will bend the knee, because I am their leader. And this specific ritual? It will prove my worthiness as leader of The Order of the Holy Sacrament.

The Spirit’s slight jab at me was intentional.

It was once a human after all, with a soul too powerful to be contained by Hell, so now it lives as a Spirit in the liminal space of the Augustine Diocesan Academy campus. A restless, thirsty Spirit who seeks blood in exchange for the kind of power that can only come from beyond the veil. The kind of power that latches on to you after you leave this place.

Every member of The Order of The Holy Sacrament rises to prominence.

As long as they do what the Spirit asks.

Alistair:

Who shall it be?

Max:

The girls are extra wary on campus.

That doesn’t matter. We need a girl from the nearby town. A nobody.