“As extra penance for my sins, I wanted to offer up my blood. The blood of my veins. The veins which humbly thank you for giving me a second chance.”
Aiden glanced up and saw the smirk on Zoe’s face. Spencer looked confused. He checked with Zoe, who nodded for him to accept the offering. Spencer yanked the jug from Aiden’s hands. He placed it on the bottom step of the hot tub, and then faced Aiden again.
Zoe stepped down. She grinned over Aiden. He felt her gaze burning through his flesh. Aiden had a sudden urge to flee for his own safety. Something about her made his skin crawl. Danger coursed through his limbs.
“Your offering is acceptable. A tad dramatic, but it shows your dedication to The First Cut is true.” Zoe looked around to the members on each side.
Aiden sensed unease on either side of him. It felt as if his friends were as apprehensive as he was about tonight’s meeting. He thought about standing up but decided to wait for Zoe to order him. It would help butter her up.
Zoe reached down to Aiden’s jaw. She stuck her finger under his chin and raised his face to meet hers. As she towered above Aiden, he glanced at her vagina which was poised inches from his nose. The clean-shaven folds covered in white paint. Aiden felt his penis stir, the sexual desires overriding the pangs of fear.
Zoe must have picked up on his glance at her privates. Her smile grew wider. Her confidence shined through. “Your blood is a good sacrifice on behalf of your brothers and sisters.” Zoe gestured to each side. “And, while it is a good sacrifice and an even more meaningful token of your dedication, the blood offering does not constitute loyalty...or trust.”
Aiden’s stomach fluttered with nervousness. He could tell Zoe was building up to something. Something he wasn’t going to enjoy. Because Zoe never allowed people to enjoy. He realized it was a bad decision to come back to The First Cut. Every fiber of his being told him to run. To get away before it was too late.
Yet, he stayed. Aiden wanted to exact his own revenge. And he needed to protect Leah. Running out on her would only further endanger her. She would never want to see him again, if he did something so cowardly.
“You will have to PROVE your loyalty. Before all of us. You must submit to the will of the hive. Every man and every woman is a star. Aiden, you must submit yourself before us. I am divided for love’s sake, for the chance of union. Remain bowed upon one knee and give yourself to The First Cut. Love is the law, love under will.”
Aiden listened to Zoe speak but it sounded as if two, distinct voices spoke out. A few of the things she said were strange, like quoted verses from an ancient poem. He wished to lift his head and see what Zoe was doing above him. Aiden needed to absorb the expressions of his friends, to understand if he was in harm’s way or allowing his subconscious to scare the crap out of him. Aiden was afraid. He fought the urge to scream out in terror and run.
Zoe whispered something. It was soft but meant to be heard by the group around him. The chill tingled the base of his spine and danced up the back of his skull. He knew the second he heard Zoe’s whisper, trouble had again found him. Aiden repeated the word silently in his mind.
“Spencer.”
“SPENCER.”
Zoe whispered over Aiden’s head. Zoe felt the tension skyrocket. She shot a look at Spencer who stood next to her, unflinching.
“Take his blood.”
“Wait a second.” Todd stepped forward. “The kid just handed you a gallon of his fucking blood. What sense does it make to take more?”
Zoe noticed Aiden remained in place, bent on one knee. His teary eyes pleaded for mercy. “It’s okay, Todd. I am ready to serve my master.” Aiden lowered his head.
Zoe was thrilled with Aiden’s conformity. Apparently, he was truthful about doing whatever it took to get back inside The First Cut. She changed her attention to Spencer who stood still.
“What are you waiting for?” She amped up her tone enough to inspire Spencer to action.
Leah chimed in next. “Aiden has drained his own blood for us. And he’s practically crawling around in here on hands and knees. There’s no need to humiliate him anymore.”
“It has nothing to do with humiliation. It has to do with loyalty. I would like to trust Aiden and believe he filled the jug with his own blood. But how do I know he didn’t just squeeze a roast out of his mother’s refrigerator? Did you witness him bleed for us?”
Leah diverted her gaze. Zoe knew she had Leah. Without factual knowledge, nobody could defend Aiden’s loyalty until it was laid bare, before all to witness.
“It’s okay, Leah. I am prepared to do what is needed to prove I am worthy of being a member in good standing.” Aiden spoke with his head downturned.
“There you go. Aiden is okay with it. So why shouldn’t you be?”
“This is crazy. This has gone beyond what is necessary. Don’t make me stop you, Zoe.” Todd pointed a finger at her.
Zoe stole a glance at Ryan. He was beside himself on his allegiance. Zoe was proud of him. Maybe his test was finished for tonight since he stood silently.
Spencer moved in front of Zoe. “Back off, Todd. If Aiden doesn’t care, then it is not up to you to speak for him.”
Zoe smiled again. Spencer chose to defend her wishes. Maybe whatever Leah heard Spencer saying was just lip service. She owned Spencer like the others.
“Cut his neck and take his blood.”
Spencer remained stoic. He definitely heard her speak. But he wasn’t moving. Zoe started to get angry.
“I told you to cut him and take his blood. Now.” Zoe got angrier because Spencer’s lack of action drove her to sound like a petulant child.
“Even your boy doesn’t want to do it.” Todd pointed out Spencer’s hesitation.
“I told you to back off, Todd. I don’t need your help.” Spencer pointed a knife at Todd.
“Spencer, put the knife away and think how crazy this is.” Leah threw in her two cents from behind them. Zoe reeled to glare upon Leah.
“You certainly have become quite the mouthy little bitch, haven’t you?”
Leah’s attention moved away from Spencer. She stepped closer to Zoe. The move was enough to force Zoe’s hand before Leah interfered any more.
“Are you volunteering your neck for us? I’d be glad to have Spencer substitute you for Aiden.” Zoe watched Leah swallow hard.
She turned back to Todd who had inched closer. “What’s the matter, Todd? You have no backup this time, huh? Ryan knows what’s more important. And it doesn’t look like your little boy-toy has the energy to keep up anymore.” Zoe gestured at Jordyn who remained quiet. Ryan blinked and looked at his hands.
Todd took in his options as he peered behind himself. He must have figured he was on his own because he paused to figure out what to do next. Zoe chuckled. Todd had no next move. She was in full control of these proceedings. Now she had to get Spencer to comply. Or else she would do it herself. Zoe reasoned, if Spencer forced her to cut Aiden, she would start with Spencer’s neck first.
Aiden stood up. Zoe wanted to shove him back down to the ground. Before she could get her hands up, Aiden spoke in a calming tone. “Guys, stop fighting. We all wanted to do something fun. Something crazy because we were bored. Now, when we are ready to do something truly different, we fight to remain the same.” He looked around the yard. “This is going to be fun. And I want to do this. I want to be a part of you guys. We’ve been friends for so long. We can’t end with bickering and fighting. Let’s have fun. I’m sure Zoe and Spencer aren’t going to hurt me. I trust them.”