CHAPTER 21

"It's in two days" she said happily.

"Two days?" It was too soon. But I couldn't say anything to her. I didn't want to complain. What if Silas heard of it. He would hurt Coulter. I couldn't let that happen.

"Yes. You really don't need to do anything. The women will explain the ritual to you"

I nodded. I just needed some space to process my thought.

"I'll go to my room now" I said to Elowen and she smiled.

"I'll see you later Winry"

"Okay" she said in a low voice. I could feel her eyes on me but she didn't say another word. I hurried out of the living room and up the stairs. The moment I was behind close doors, I called my mother.

"Hello" she said after she picked the cal. She sounded tired.

"Mama"

"Paisley? Oh goodness. How are you my baby?"

"I'm okay. How are you mama"

She sighed and I could tell something was definitely wrong.

"Talk to me mama"

"I can't find your sister. I've searched everywhere and it just seems like..... like she vanished from the earth"

I sighed. This was not the news I wanted to hear.

"What of papa. And coulter?"

"Silas has your father" her voice broke.

"Why did he take the both of them?"

"He says you'll be more obedient if your father is under his watch. He is also helping to search for Nevaeh but he is not invested in the search. He says you will be her replacement"

"I can't. I can't mama. What happens to Edel then?"

"It won't get to that. I've not seen Edel around. His sister was here a few days ago asking about the both of you. I told her you had gone for the vacation Nevaeh planned for you. It's a good cover and there'll be no questions about your whereabouts for now"

"Have you spoken to Bellamy or Waverly?"

"No. I've not had the time to"

There was a pause from her end before she spoke again.

"Listen Paisley. You have to hang in there. I'm sorry I have to ask this of you but you must do whatever is necessary. Our whole family depends on you. If anything goes wrong.... I don't want to lose any of you. My heart won't take it"

"You won't. I'll make sure nothing goes wrong. I think it's best you hire a private investigator mama"

"No. That means telling another person of our current situation and it costs a lot of money"

"I have money mama. My savings. Take everything. Do what you have to but please find Nevaeh"

"I will. I have to go now" she quickly hung up before I could say another word. I was scared for everybody. Including Nevaeh.

It was almost like something bad had happened to her. It was more than merely hiding. Her friends would have known a thing or two. I was angry with her but I hoped she never got hurt.

The day of the ritual came sooner than I wanted it to. Brayan and I waited in the living room with the rest of the family.

Zaniyah came in through the front door.

"It's time"

"We'll all go together to the hut"

"Take her hands" she said to Brayan and he held my hands. I ignored the sparks from our touch. I was being delusional. There was no way a simple human touch would bring sparks.

Zaniyah led the way with Brayan and indirectly behind her. Elowen and Dakarai followed after and Dryden and Nouria were behind them. Winry and Whitely didn't come with us and i concluded that only mated couples of the family were allowed to attend the ritual.

The other woman were waiting in front of a small hut. It looked so small I wondered if anyone could fit inside.

"Welcome" Gwyneth said with a bow.

She came forward with a blue cloth and tied our joined hands together.

She reached into a small basket and brought out a beige fruit. She broke it into two and placed it against my lips.

I opened my mouth and took it. It tasted salty and melted against my tongue. The after taste was bitter and I couldn't help but scrunch my face. She gave Brayan the other half.

"This ritual is the endurance ritual. The couple are going to be enclosed in a space for an extended period of time. The point is to create tolerance between you two" Gwyneth explained.

"The fruit you've been given is a special one. It heightens your emotions and make you feel on edge" Saoirse said.

I didn't get the chance to ask what that meant because they were already leading us into the hut.

"The ritual will be considered successful if you come out with the tie in place" she pointed to our joint hands.

The door was narrow so I stepped in first and Brayan followed. The wooden door was shut behind us and I heard a click.

The room safe wasn't too tight. About ten people could fit in here. There were no seats so we had to sit side by side on the floor.

I don't know how much time had passed, but I was becoming restless. I felt uneasy and irritated. Was this what she meant by heightened emotions.

It didn't help that Brayan was so hot beside me. My thoughts were running wild and it upset me. I didn't want to feel this way and I hated that I did. I needed to move away from him. Preferably on the other side of the room. I reached for the tie holding us, ready to loosen it when his hands stopped me.

"What are you doing" his voice was deeper and huskier. I shook my head.

"You're too close" I tried to push his hand away but he wasn't budging. Frustrated, I looked up and met his blazing eyes. He was staring at me intensely. Like he wanted to devour me.

I pulled at the knot while he was distracted and pulled my hand away.

"What are you doing? You want to ruin the ritual"

"I don't care about it"

"I do. We are going to have to repetition this if it fails" he tried to grab my arms but I moved away.

"Don't touch me" he ignored me and moved closer to me. I was hyperventilating. He was too close. I didn't want him to come close. It felt like I was going to do something I'll regret but he didn't care. His touch burned my skin and as much as I hate to admit it, I liked it.

"Brayan" I whispered.

"Say it again" he encouraged in an alluring voice.

"Just.." I held my hand out pushing at his chest. He pulled my hand away and leaned in. I panicked thinking he was going to kiss me and moved away quickly.

"Stop. Please"

"You say one thing even though you mean a fifteen thing"

"I mean what I'm saying"

"Tell me what you really want" he moved closer, his fingers touching my cheeks gently. I leaned into the touch.

"Tell me"

It was on the tip of my tongue. But I fought it. I shouldn't feel this way for Brayan. He wasn't mine and I didn't belong to him.

I was going to leave and go back to my old life. I didn't want any entanglement.

Or maybe you should do it and get out of your system. No. I could never do that to Edel. I would never hurt him like that.

I tried to move away again but he caged me in.

"I can't hold myself" he whispered before our lips touched. His lips moved against mine, his tongue begging for entrance. He grabbed my waist, pulling me into him, his erection digging into my stomach.

I should have stopped him. Stopped this madness but my hands moved around his neck, pulling him closer and I kissed him back.