Lib Novel Page 80
Ma nodded, her approval evident even in the sparse candlelight that flickered across her ageless face. She then spoke again, her tone imbued with the weight of tradition and expectation.
“You swear to uphold the Circle’s honor, to guide its members with wisdom and a discerning heart. Justice tempered with compassion, that is the path we walk. May your voice be a beacon of reason, guiding the Circle towards a brighter future.”
Their response came as a twin affirmation, “I swear,” binding them to our world—a world where loyalty was currency and betrayal the gravest sin.
Ma then moved with a grace that belied her years, reaching for two slender candles on the altar. The match sparked to life in her fingers, a tiny flare in the shadows that soon gave birth to a steady flame. She touched it to the wicks, and they caught fire, the light dancing in Abby’s eyes.
“You swear to support the Circle, to be the flame within the hearth,” Ma intoned, her gaze sweeping over Abby and Lily as if to brand the words into their very souls. “We are the keepers of balance, the silent force that shapes the shadows. May your light empower the Circle to achieve its goals.”
“I swear.” Their voices were a chorus now, strong and sure, even as the rest of the room seemed to hush in reverence of the moment.
The flicker from the candles caught the sharp angles of Abby’s face, throwing half of it into relief and the other into mystery. I could see the reflection of the small fires in her eyes, and something about the way she looked at me was an anchor and a tremor all at once.
I couldn’t help but feel….fuck, I didn’t know—pulled tight like a wire between pride and an edgy sort of fear. This was Abby like I’d never seen her before, transformed by oath and flame, becoming part of a world that was mine, and yet not. There was beauty in the ritual, in the ancient words and the silk of tradition, but beneath it all ran a current of danger, of secrets kept and promises that bound tighter than any chains.
She was swearing herself to me, not to the Serpents.
And that was dangerous.
Ma’s voice cut through the silence that had settled over us, bringing me back from the tumult of thoughts.
“This is the final oath,” she said, her tone solemn yet not without warmth. In her hands were two silk bracelets, red as a promise, delicate as trust. She handed one to me, the fabric smooth against my fingers, and took the other over to Lily.
“Come here, Abby,” I murmured, stepping closer to her. Her eyes never left mine, even as I reached for her wrist, feeling the steady beat of her pulse beneath my fingertips. The bracelet felt like destiny as I tied it around her wrist, looping and knotting it into place.
“This bracelet marks your entry into the Circle. Wear it with honor,” I said, my voice low, meant only for her ears amidst the watching crowd. “A symbol of your commitment and a reminder of the oaths you have sworn.”
“Welcome, Abigail and Lily, to the Sisterhood of Vipers.” My mom’s voice rang out, clear and commanding, sealing the initiation.
Abby’s hand was steady in mine, her gaze unwavering. There was something fierce in her, a strength that drew me, even as it warned me. This was no mere girl I held, but a woman who walked through fire and came out forged anew. My chest tightened as I realized this ceremony wasn’t just about binding her to the Triad; it was reinforcing the bond between us, a tie that went beyond blood or duty.
“Thank you,” she whispered, so softly I might have imagined it.
But I didn’t. Because in that moment, everything else melted away—the Serpent’s Den, the murmurs of the crowd, the weight of tradition—and there was only Abby. Only us.
And whatever the future held, we were in it together now, whether that made me a saint or a sinner in her eyes.
Chapter Thirty-Eight: Abby
We trailed into the other room, a space that hummed with the promise of a feast. The long table at the Serpent’s Den stood ready for dinner, and my senses were assaulted by the rich tapestry of scents—garlic, ginger, cardamom—that filled the air. Steam curled lazily from the dishes arrayed on a separate table against the wall, and I couldn’t help but appreciate the culinary artistry.
“Come on,” Lily whispered to me, her voice barely masking the excitement over the spread before us. We wove through the cluster of women, some reaching out to caress the embroidered cloths or adjust the sparkling silverware with practiced hands.
“Remember, we’re here to play our parts,” I murmured back, my gaze lingering on the lacquered roast duck, its skin glistening under the warm light, while mentally I was calculating exits, memorizing faces.
The men filtered in soon after, a cavalcade of dark suits and hushed power. Their voices swelled as they took their seats, filling the room with an undercurrent of authority and expectation. Evelyn, with a grace that belied her years, moved to our side and leaned in close.
“Abby, Lily, you’ll serve them their dinner,” she instructed, her eyes scanning the room with an acuteness that spoke volumes of her unspoken influence in this clandestine world.
Lily’s face fell, her brow furrowed. “This is–”
“What we talked about,” I said, flashing Evelyn a smile. “Come on.”
Evelyn returned my smile with one of her own, a knowing spark in her eyes. “Abby,” she whispered, as the two of us set down plates like offerings before the gathered men, “we should have dinner soon, just you and me.”
I nodded subtly, placing a steamed bun onto the plate of the man at the head of the table, his presence commanding even in silence. Kenny–my future father-in-law, the man I despised more than anyone else in the world–barely even acknowledged me. “I’d like that. There’s a lot I need to learn about joining the Sisterhood of Vipers,” I said, keeping my voice low.
“Good,” Evelyn replied, her tone carrying an edge that suggested there was more at stake than mere companionship. “It’s not just about supporting our men. It’s about strength, survival…and secrets.”