Page 27 (1/2)

"I can ilazed over as they fixed on the sky He ran a finger slowly around the edge of his wine glass "Life is good here," he said "No hassles No responsibilities We live like kings and do ant, ant I’m sure you won’t want to leave"

I nodded stiffly

"So why don’t you tell us your story?" Jera ht about what I should say "Well, as I mentioned, I was taken in by the black witches I stayed on the island that was governed by Caleb Achilles I ist ht and then got pulled into this crazy world I haven’t been turned long, so there’s not much more to tell"

Jeramiah watched me intensely It looked like they all wanted to hearto offer it The less said, the better

I took another sip, and as I did, a light feeling began to for if it had been accidentally, or perhaps purposefully, laced with soround and stared at Jera me here for?"

Everyone else looked curious to hear Jerarossed in conversation with the girl next to him

"Well, it’s not often we coue vao We have room for you I didn’t see a reason not to take you in"

I was about to inform him about ue I would wait until he actually askedhim of this There was no point before then--for all I knew, the occasion lass down on the sand and stood up He walked over to where Marilyn was dancing Catching her hands, he placed them around his neck and slid his hands down to her hips He led her toward the main dance area

I took that as my cue to leave At least for now, Jerah conversation And hter I couldn’t be sure if it really was so about this desert airme react like this Whatever the case, I stood up

"Excusemy best at the ly Jera so soon? The party hasn’t even started yet"

"Yeah," I called back "I haven’tto try now" To my surprise, a yawn escaped my mouth as I finished the sentence

"Catch you later," Jeramiah said

I entered the trap door and cli the atriuht for ely heavy What is wrong withmy eyes, I fell asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow

When I woke up several hours later, it was to a burning feeling in ht and looked down at it:

A black cross etched into my skin

It seemed that whether I wanted to become a member of this coven or not, I’d just beento findaround the room