Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 310(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
That summoned my full attention. It was the first time her existence had been fully acknowledged. It left me feeling strangely unsettled. Alexander had never mentioned any specifics about the woman he’d married. There was no hint or trace of her anywhere in the house.
I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being kept in the dark about something significant.
"Where is she?" I blurted out before I could stop myself, my curiosity getting the best of me.
Esther looked at me and for a second, I didn’t think she was going to answer. “She is being housed until your wedding. Her presence is a testament to the honor and legacy of Diabolus, a final bridge between his past and present.”
I frowned, my mind whirling with questions. What was her story? Why was she no longer his wife? Something must have happened for her to lose her place in his life. I didn’t get the impression he was a promiscuous man that would randomly wed just anyone. Myself a case in point.
“What about the other branded women?” I questioned, wondering what their fates were to be.
“Oh, they’re fine and with their masters. Their roles within our community are unique, just as yours will be.”
I exhaled, relieved to hear that they were safe—at least, as much as they could be, given the circumstances. Slowly processing everything I had learned, a new question formed in my mind. “How are women selected to be here? Is it a common occurrence to bring people to the Isle?”
Esther's expression turned thoughtful.
“It’s rare for unknown bloodlines to be considered Electi. Our community values tradition and heritage. That is why your presence, as well as Pandora's and Keres’, is so special. You carry within you the potential to continue the legacy of Diabolus, and they, Impío.”
“Wait," I interrupted again, my mind grappling with those implications. “So, we weren't chosen at random?”
Esther's brows furrowed in confusion, as if my question was unexpected. “Of course not. You are far too special to be mere chance.”
Alexander had alluded to this, but I didn’t believe him. I also hadn't considered the possibility that there was a method to the selection process, that we were all chosen for a reason. Thinking about it, that made so much more sense. I felt like an idiot for not realizing it sooner.
I was a far cry from ugly, but so breathtaking an elusive millionaire with a twisted degree of power took one look at me and decided I would be his? That was highly unlikely.
“What do you mean by bloodlines exactly?" I inquired further, curiosity driving me to dig deeper.
Esther's gaze flickered, and she hesitated for a moment.
I could tell she was deciding how much she would tell me before responding. “Bloodlines are crucial to our community. They ensure that power remains consolidated within a few leading families. Diabolus would never sully his legacy by giving himself to another unless he had no choice.”
Diabolus. Alexander. Mr. Hawthorne. Whatever his true identity, he was so much more than I imagined from the first time I saw him. A small part of me couldn’t help but want to piece together the puzzle of the man that had brought me into such a clandestine world.
“How do you manage to keep all of this hidden from the tourists who visit the Isle?” I’d seen with my own eyes that this place wasn’t as private as I’d imagined, given the extremes of such an unorthodox society.
“Each visitor is vetted, given a non-disclosure to sign, and provided with an identification card that restricts their movement to certain areas. Anyone caught breaking the agreed-upon terms is swiftly and discreetly dealt with,” Nicolette explained.
My brow furrowed slightly. “Dealt with how?”
“As you would expect when dealing with those who threaten our secrets and way of life.”
“We should discuss other aspects of the doctrine.” Esther attempted to change the subject, her voice carrying a subtle urgency.
I couldn't be deterred that easily. “No, I want to know. How do you make sure outsiders never reveal your secrets if they somehow find them out?”
“They don’t find out. That’s the point, Lolita. If by some small chance they do, no one can save them.”
Her eyes held a hint of darkness as they met mine. "Our methods are efficient. We value our way of life and will do whatever is necessary to protect it, especially from outsiders that would never be able to understand us.”
Esther's gaze shifted to Nicolette, her expression a mixture of reproach and irritation. With practiced grace, she redirected the conversation back to the Codex. Each word and illustration held an unspoken promise of hidden truths.
As Esther continued to speak, my thoughts drifted, distracted by the lingering tension between the two women and everything I had learned since this morning. I was wise enough to know that Nicolette's words were meant for me. What I didn’t know was if they were a warning or a threat. Or why that bothered me so much.