Page 75 of Deck of Scarlets

Smoothing down my dress again, I made my way over to the middle seat, the only one left, between Josh and Chloe, I shimmied past Josh, who stood to let me by. His hands brushed against mine, sending a sizzle of heat through my body, and we briefly locked eyes. Whirlpools of the ocean swirled in the depths of his, and I had to refrain from reaching toward his face just to hold him still a little longer to get lost in them.

“You have to sit,” he reminded me. His voice was somewhat husky, breathless even. Did he feel the pull too? I was too lost in the idea of what could’ve been instead of accepting what never would be.

I pulled myself together just in time for Father Benedict to arrive at the altar, with Collin at his heels and a few Saints carrying a long, oak table. The Aces came out next, each carrying a dagger, to then place them strategically on the table. Anxiety crept in like an unwanted guest, making my palms sweaty and my stomach uneasy. Even though Josh verified that it would be nothing like the Blessing, my mind couldn’t help but wonder in fear.

Father Benedict lifted his hands in the air, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. His golden robe, bedecked with red roses and intricate swirls, made him look elegant, powerful even, while the Aces remained in their stark white attire. Collin matched Father, except his robe lacked the stunning red roses.

Taking his place up on the dais, a brown leather book tucked securely under his arm, he saw my anxious expression and smiled in encouragement.

The lights dimmed when everyone took their places around the room.

All of us waited, ready for the ceremony to begin.

Chapter Thirty-Two

“Tonight is about celebrating another of the Lord’s children who have joined us in our battle against the evil that walks among us,” Father called out. His voice boomed throughout the dining hall, commanding attention. “Tonight, we welcome Remi Marie Watson to The Order of the Scarlet Quill. Just like her ancestors before her, she has shown immense purity that only the Lord himself could have granted.” Father then motioned for Collin to retrieve a brand new scarlet cape from the chest at the bottom step of the dais.

Josh stood abruptly, making his way over, where Collin lay the cape gently in his open arms. I swallowed a nervous lump in my throat, realizing at that very moment that Josh would be the one to cover my body with it.

“Rise, Remi, and let your body receive the armor from your ancestors,” Father Benedict called.

All eyes were zeroed in on me as I rose from my seat, meeting Josh at the altar, his expression bleak, unsure why he seemed so stoned faced during such a life-changing moment.

Father Benedict had me turn toward the audience, dipping his fingers in a gold bowl Collin brought over, coating his fingers in ash, then marking the sign of the cross on my forehead. “Remi, from this moment on, you are a Scarlet. Protector of mankind, servant of the Lord, and sister of The Order.”

The soft fabric of the cloak draped over my shoulders, and Josh walked around to secure the clasp around my neck. Reaching forward, his mouth mere inches from my own, he raised the hood to sit perfectly on my head.

I could’ve sworn he said the word beautiful under his breath, but I barely had time to register it before he stepped aside for Father Benedict to gesture toward the table of seven silver daggers. Each one twinkled under the lights, some boasting large rubies on the pommel and others smaller and more intricate. The handles were molded the same, easy to carry and to thrust, but the blades were either pin straight, wavy, crooked, or even curved.

Father laid a hand on my shoulder, trying to incite a feeling of excitement in me. “Let the guidance of your purity help you designate the weapon your ancestors have fought with and will continue to protect and serve with today.”

I stood before the display, each dagger placed pristine for my choosing. Josh said one would call to me, but so far, it’d been radio silence. I inched closer to the table, leaning over to examine the crooked blade, but nothing tugged at me to pick it up; it was just a simple dagger with shiny rubies. I moved on to the next, the edge curved to the right, and the rubies were small and designed in swirls on the pommel. Hoping it would strike a chord of recognition, I reached for the handle, the cool, slick steel smooth to the touch, the rubies delicate but striking, and yet, it didn’t call to me.

Frustration coated my feelings while everyone watched to see what I would do next.

Sighing to release some of the anxiety, I moved on to the next. Before I could even consider the wavy dagger with the engraved pommel, someone’s presence shadowed over the table, their body a centimeter from my back.

“Block them all out,” Josh whispered. His words traveled like a soft breeze, helping to rid me of any doubt that took over.

I stole a glance, his eyes piercing, silently communicating. At that moment, he knew the fear I hid, and for once, I saw him as more than just a pretty face. I saw him as my guardian.

A deep breath escaped my lips as I closed my eyes, disassociating myself from everyone and everything that overshadowed my clouded thoughts.

To get my mind completely blank and open my senses took a little time, and I was beginning to think some were becoming impatient, but I was desperate to try anything at that point. I didn’t know how long I stood there, facing the others, trying my hardest to center myself and letting everything go just to answer a call that would never come, but a strange feeling crept inside at some point in the midst of it, starting from my toes. It tingled through my legs, reaching higher, until every inch of my body was coated with the sensation of pins and needles.

Nobody uttered a word when my feet began moving of their own accord, guiding my body along the table. My fingers barely brushed against the smooth oak surface; the hum of an unknown song vibrating inside my head. The more I walked, the louder the hum grew, pulling me along like an invisible string. Opening my eyes, my hand hovered over one dagger, the humming now a voice, singing in a language I couldn’t understand. Heat warmed my fingers, flexing them to feel the sensation spread to my palm and then up my arm until my whole body tingled with warmth. A dagger of the finest point glowed in a shimmery gold hue; the pommel had a single garnet stone in the center with small swirls of diamonds branching off the stone. I reached for it, and the cold steel handle clashed against the heat emanating from my palm. Lifting it to eye level, I examined the blade of the dagger that reflected from the lights above, turning it at different angles, and engraved words flashed on the edge. As instantaneously as it appeared, the words faded, ceasing to exist.

What was that?

I looked over at Father Benedict, befuddled, but he took it as a sign of choosing my dagger. Because even though it sang to me, it reached deep within my body and soul. Why did it take Josh to clear the chaos?

“From this day forward, a Scarlet is born. Swear to protect and serve, to guide and follow, but most importantly to create a sanctuary for the fallen,” spoke Father Benedict.

The room erupted in applause, accepting my position in the Order. It took me by surprise, mainly because they all seemed so rough around the edges with their hospitality, or maybe because I wasn’t used to being a part of something so tight-knit.

Josh firmly squeezed my shoulder, nodding his head in approval.

The crowd suddenly halted as Father Benedict raised his hands again. “And now, for the bonding of the Scarlet and the Tutelary Saint.”