Page 101 of Semper

With that, he guided me down into the water, submerging me completely. The coolness of the lake enveloped me, my body suspended in the stillness beneath the surface.

For a brief moment, I felt weightless, unburdened, as though the water itself was washing away everything I had once been. When Alexander pulled me back up, gasping for air, I wasn’t the same. The lake dripped from my skin, but it wasn’t just water. Itwas a transformation. I looked into Alexander’s eyes, and I knew beyond any reasonable doubt—I didn’t just belong to him, but the Isle too

And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Dripping wet from the lake, Alexander lifted me effortlessly onto the waiting boat, his hands firm but gentle as they gripped my waist. I shivered slightly, not from the cold, but from the weight of the night, of what I had just gone through. He climbed aboard behind me, his presence a comforting shadow at my side.

A masked disciple stood at the helm, starting the engine with a low rumble, and as the boat pulled away from the shore, the sound of the congregation's chants echoed behind us, the haunting Latin words carrying across the water. Everyone remained offshore, watching as we drifted into the night.

I couldn’t help but glance back, feeling a sense of finality wash over me. "What will they do now?" I asked, my voice barely audible over the hum of the boat.

Alexander’s eyes flicked to mine, a glimmer of amusement in them. "Celebrate," he said simply. "Keep the party going in their own way."

I swallowed, knowing that for them, "celebrate" had a much darker meaning. But before I could ask more, he added, "We have one last ceremony to complete."

I turned to him. "What is it?"

Instead of answering, Alexander smirked and changed the subject with a casual ease that made my heart skip. "Did you see your dog?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "It was kind of hard to miss."

His smirk widened. "It needs a name. Right now, he's just K9 614."

I couldn’t help but laugh, a small sound breaking through the tension. "Is there a reason you chose that dog specifically?"

His eyes met mine, and there was something darker there, something knowing. "Yes. It’s trained on the Isle, and it won’t piss and shit on our floors."

I chuckled again, but the weight of the conversation lingered. There was always something more behind Alexander’s words. But before I could question further, the boat began to slow, and I noticed the looming figure of the lighthouse ahead—the same beacon I had only ever seen from a distance.

The closer we got, the more imposing it seemed. The stone structure was tall, and ancient, with the waves crashing at its base as the light flickered high above, casting long shadows across the dark water. It felt like the final destination, the culmination of everything that had happened tonight.

The disciple cut the engine, and Alexander rose to his feet. He extended his hand to me, and I took it without hesitation, letting him help me from the boat. The moment my feet touched the solid ground, I felt a chill run through me, but not from the cool night air.

Alexander didn’t say a word as he led me up the stone steps toward the entrance of the lighthouse, his hand firm around mine. The wind howled around us, the waves crashing in the distance, but all I could focus on was the feeling of his presence beside me.

When we reached the door, he swept me up into his arms, carrying me across the threshold with ease.

I gasped softly, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck, my heart racing at the sudden movement. The inside of the lighthouse was a stark contrast to the rugged exterior. It had been transformed to match the Chapel, with flickering candles lining the walls, soft drapes cascading from the ceiling, and the faint scent of incense filling the air. It was like stepping into another world—a world crafted just for us.

Alexander set me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist as he looked at me with a possessiveness that made my pulse quicken. “Welcome to our sanctuary,” he revealed, his voice low and intimate, as if the entire night had led to this moment. "Come.”

I followed him up the winding staircase, slipping off my shoes as the smooth stone steps felt cool beneath my feet. My heart beat steadily, but there was a new tension in the air, something unspoken between us, something heavy.

The stairs twisted higher, and when we reached the top, I paused, my breath catching in my throat. The room was vast and luxurious, bathed in soft flickering light from candles and lanterns. A canopy bed stood at the center, its dark, velvet curtains pulled back, revealing an opulent expanse of pillows and silks. Beyond that, massive windows stretched from floor to ceiling, opening out to a view of the sea far below, the crashing waves echoing faintly against the rocks. We were so high up—it was dizzying. Just a few feet from the bed, a large, round jacuzzi tub sat, decorated with intricate designs that shimmered in the low light.

But what truly captured my attention wasn’t the elegance of the room. No, it was the figures standing around the bed—robed disciples, each holding lanterns, their faces obscured beneath their hoods. The flicker of the lantern light danced across their robes, casting strange shadows. At the edge of the bed was a woman.

My heart sank when I recognized her.

Clarice.

Her body was spread in an X shape, arms and legs bound tightly between two of the thick canopy posts, which had runes etched into the wood. There was something else—something wrapped just barely around her neck. Barbed wire, or something worse, biting into her skin, though it didn’t seem to pierce herfully. Her mouth was covered, muffling any sound she might have made.

Her eyes met mine, wide and pleading.

“What is this?” I asked Alexander, my voice calm, betraying none of the confusion that swirled inside me. I wasn’t afraid. Strangely, I wasn’t even upset. My curiosity gnawed at me more than anything.

Alexander stepped closer, his presence enveloping me as he spoke. “This,” he began, his voice low and reverent, “isUltima Consecratio—the final blessing. It’s the Isle’s way, a sacred tradition. There are no divorces here, you know that. And this...this is Clarice’s role in our union. A final offering.”