The Ritual

“Of course.” I nod numbly.

“We’ll be back,” Gunner tells us and then pulls a sobbing Sarah out of the room, excusing themselves.

BLAKELY

I CAN HEAR voices, but they sound far off. Like I’m standing at one end of the tunnel, and they’re at the other—echoing inside my head. Which is pounding as if someone is using it as a drum set.

“I told you this would happen …”

The voices start to come in clearer.

“I told you guys we should have tested her differently.” Another voice gets through the drumming behind my eyes.

“The initiation didn’t do this to her!” a familiar voice snaps.

“No! It was that piece of shit that you were going to allow her to marry!” another voice argues, and I recognize it. It’s Ryat’s.

“I was never going to allow that!” the second one shouts back. “Why do you think I made you choose her?” It’s my dad. “Huh? It sure as shit wasn’t for shits and giggles.”

“Well, it’s not like you ever gave me an answer when I asked.”

I open my heavy eyes, blinking a few times before the room comes into focus. I’m lying in a hospital bed. Ryat stands over to the right, leaning back against a windowsill dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans with a black baseball hat on backward and tennis shoes.

My father sits on a couch next to him, dressed in a charcoal suit with his cell in his hand. Looking to my left, I see my father-in-law pacing the large room, also dressed like he just came from a board meeting. “We’re not going to accomplish anything if we’re arguing,” he states, taking in a deep breath.

“Yeah,” I manage to croak and flinch. “You’re making … my headache worse.”

“Blake!” Ryat shoves off the windowsill and comes over to me. “How do you feel?” Before I can even try to answer him, he looks at his dad. “Get the nurse.” Who turns and rushes out of the room.

“Hey, princess,” my father says gently, coming to the other side of my bed.

“I …” my eyes close, the light hurting them.

“Turn off the light,” Ryat orders, and then I hear the click of the switch, and I open my eyes slowly to a softer lit room with the main light now off. “Better?” he asks, his hand picking up mine and gently squeezing it.

I nod. “Yeah.”

The door opens, and Abbot enters with a nurse behind him. “Good evening, Blakely. How do you feel?”

I groan. She’s way too chipper with her big smile, bleach-blond hair pulled up into a cute twist, and brown eyes that I notice quickly scan my husband before coming back to mine.

“She said she’s got a headache.” Ryat answers when he realizes I’m going to ignore her.

“I can give you some pain meds.” She nods enthusiastically. And then looks at him again. “I’ll be right back with those.”

Leaving us, I close my heavy eyes. “What happened?”

“You were attacked,” Abbot answers.

Ryat squeezes my hand again. “Do you not remember?”

“No,” I answer, opening my eyes and looking at him.

He looks exhausted. His pretty green eyes aren’t as bright as I remember. There’s stubble on his jaw, and I know he hasn’t washed his hair since he has a hat on.

“How long have I been here?” I ask, licking my chapped lips.

“Three days,” my father answers.

“Here, I got you some of these when I chased down the nurse.” Abbot shoves a cup of ice into Ryat’s free hand.

He lets go of mine with his other hand and spoon-feeds me a few ice chips. I just let them melt in my mouth, wanting the water more than chewing ice. I’m so thirsty. After I swallow, I slide my tongue along my upper and lower teeth, making sure they’re all there. I feel a little better when they are.

“Want some more?” Ryat asks, and I nod.

The nurse returns with a syringe and that stupid fucking smile on her face. “This will make you drowsy. Probably be in and out—”

“No,” I say, interrupting her. I’ve already been out for three days? That’s too long. “I don’t want …”

“It’s okay, Blake,” Ryat tells me and then looks up at her, nodding. His eyes return to mine. “We’ll be right here when you wake up.” Leaning down, he gives me a soft kiss on my knuckles as my eyes grow heavy.

CHAPTER FIFTY

RYAT

I EXIT HER room and walk down the hallway. I need a fucking energy drink. Hell, I need them to hook me up to an IV of straight caffeine. It’s like when she ran all over again, but this time, I know she’s right in front of me, not missing.

She could have been, though. Matt could have easily taken her. And I’m more confused as to why he didn’t. I mean, thank God that’s not the case, but why? What the fuck is he doing?