Page 129 of Decimation

My stomach twists as that word repeats in my head. My family used to be Guardians, years ago, hundreds of years ago. And then we fucked up, we committed offences too great to be forgotten, to be pardoned. It’s why we became Esau.

“You’re to come with us.” Gabriel repeats.

“Why?”

He holds his hand out as if I’d be stupid enough to take it.

“Leandra,” Zayn says, his voice deep and gravelly. “It’s time.”

“Time for what?” I ask, my voice trembling.

Gabriel steps forward, closing the distance between us, his movements unnervingly smooth. “You must be tested,” he says, his tone calm but firm. “Your soul must be inspected, must be purged of its sins.”

My stomach twists. “What are you talking about? La…” I only just manage to stop myself from saying his true name. “Konstantine said…” I continue.

“Konstantine is Grand Master,” Zayn interrupts. “And as his wife, you must be worthy. The Brethren will not accept you otherwise.”

I shake my head, panic rising in my chest. “No. I’m not going anywhere. Konstantine said I’d be safe here. He…”

Gabriel moves before I can finish, and his hand closes around my wrist like a wrench. His grip is surprisingly strong, his fingers digging into my skin. “You don’t have a choice,” he says, his voice low and dangerous.

I yank my arm back, but he doesn’t let go. “Let me go.” I shout, my voice cracking. “Konstantine. Konstantine…”

It doesn’t escape my notice, the irony that I’m screaming out the name of the very man who tortured and raped me, that I have to pretend that he’s my salvation, my rescuer.

Zayn wheels closer, his expression unreadable. “He’s not here,” he says simply. “And you’re coming with us.”

I kick out, my foot connecting with Gabriel’s shin. He grunts but doesn’t release me. Instead, he drags me further towards the door, and my legs tangle in the rug as I struggle.

“Stop fighting,” Zayn growls. “You’re only making this harder on yourself.”

“Fuck you!” I scream, thrashing against Gabriel’s grip.

Gabriel drags me toward the door, his grip unrelenting. I claw at his hand, my nails digging into his skin, but he doesn’t flinch. My heart races, my mind spinning with fear and confusion.

Where is Lazarus? Why isn’t he here? He said he’d protect me. He promised.

“Let me go!” I scream again, my voice raw. “You can’t do this!”

Gabriel doesn’t respond. He just keeps dragging me, his grip like iron. Zayn follows behind, his wheelchair creaking ominously.

The hallway is dark, the walls closing in around me. I kick and thrash, but it’s no use. Gabriel is too strong.

“Konstantine.” I cry out again, my voice breaking.

Zayn’s voice cuts through the chaos, cold and unfeeling. “He’s not coming, Leandra. This is your test. Your burden to bear.”

Tears stream down my face as I’m dragged down the hallway, my mind racing. What are they going to do to me? What does this ritual even entail?

The fear is overwhelming, suffocating. I feel like I’m drowning, like the walls are closing in around me.

Gabriel stops in front of a heavy wooden door, his grip tightening on my wrist. “This is your last chance,” he says, his voice low. “Will you come willingly, or will we have to force you?”

I glare at him, my chest heaving. “Go to hell.”

He sighs, his expression almost pitying. “Very well.”

He pushes the door open, revealing a dimly lit room. The air is thick with the scent of incense, the walls lined with strange symbols and tapestries. In the centre of the room is a stone altar, its surface stained with what looks like dried blood.