Total pages in book: 180
Estimated words: 168587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 843(@200wpm)___ 674(@250wpm)___ 562(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 168587 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 843(@200wpm)___ 674(@250wpm)___ 562(@300wpm)
“I’ve made up my mind,” I say to my father, watching them drive off.
“Ty—”
I hang up on him and shut off my cell, not in the mood to hear his opinion about how I should live my life. That’s all I’ve ever done. I was raised knowing I would one day serve the Lords. I’ve devoted the past four years to them. That has changed.
While attending Barrington University, you can be stripped of your title at any time while going through initiations. But once you’re branded, the only way out is death.
I was raised to believe that being a Lord is something special—nothing but endless wealth and power. Now I’m realizing that they are their own kind of prison, collecting us as prisoners. They chain us to them with no escape.
I took their offer and then made one of my own that they couldn’t refuse. It’s a different level of hell, but I have all the control. I’m the devil now and will choose who burns.
LAIKYN
I’m looking at myself in the mirror after my father leaves me, making sure tears haven’t ruined my makeup. I don’t understand. Why me? Why now? Why today?
I was promised to Luke. What could have changed that he would give me over to Tyson? Why would the Lords allow this?
Stepping closer to the mirror, I tilt my head back and look at the choker he placed around my neck. It’s so tight that I can’t even fit my finger between it and my skin. I can feel my pulse throbbing against it.
I’m powerless. As a Lady, I don’t have any say, to begin with, but for the Lords to make such a change at the last minute? I’m fucking doomed. It’s like a plane falling from the sky. Nothing can be done. I have no parachute. No escape plan.
If I run, they’ll find me. If for some reason they don’t, my family will pay the price. I refuse to let anyone else die because of Tyson. He’s taken enough from our family already.
The door opens, and my brother steps into the room. “I’m sorry, sis. I don’t know what’s going on. Dad said—”
“It’s fine.” I straighten my shoulders. I will not cry in front of these elitist assholes. I won’t give Tyson the satisfaction of letting the world see how much he terrifies me. I’ll wait until I’m alone.
He runs a hand through his dark hair nervously. “Lake.”
“I’m ready,” I say, turning to face him. The longer I wait, the longer Tyson has to get angry. After I say my vows, he’ll get me to himself. And I don’t want to give him anymore reasons to beat me.
Miller’s mouth is set in a hard line as his eyes drop to the choker and then to the floor to look at the scattered pearls. It was the only object to remind me of who I was. Tyson’s already making me what he wants me to be—his slave. A piece of meat to fuck and torment.
“Let’s go.” I grab the silk fabric in my hands, lifting it off the floor as my brother gathers the long train, and walk out of the room with him following behind me. We’re on the second floor of the Cathedral. I walk over to the old railing that looks like if I pushed too hard, I’d fall to my death, which, right now, doesn’t sound so bad. My luck, I’d just break a leg or something.
The high stained glass windows remind me of a bird cage. Just another way for the Lords to trap you. Across the way, on the second-story loft, is where the vow ceremonies are performed for chosen ones. I was never allowed to be one. My sister was. She was Tyson’s chosen. After she was killed, my parents set up my marriage to Luke. I was to be an offering to a Lord. The last Minson female in my family to bring honor to our name.
It's all bullshit.
It’s sex trafficking at its finest, without money being transferred. Well, not physical money, but funds are still involved in a way. Families are forged, companies combined, and the Lords involved just get richer. More powerful.
Wrapping my hands around the balcony, I look down to the first floor. Rows and rows of pews are full of Lords. All dressed in their black cloaks with their hoods up and masks on. Only my parents, my brother, and the wedding party are allowed to show their faces today. Ladies aren’t even invited. And I have no bridesmaids. When you’re kept prisoner in your own house, you aren’t given the opportunity to make friends. Even if I had any, Luke would have had to approve them, and I know he wouldn’t have. Tyson will likely be much the same.
The storm outside makes the place darker than it would normally be this time of day thanks to the gray clouds and rain falling from above us.