“No,” I growled. “We will not be participating in your debauched
rituals.”
A maenad’s revel involved wine, drugs, and sex. Cavra was dangerous,
and I didn’t want to risk losing focus. Moreover, I didn’t want to risk losing
control around Savannah—her scent alone, rich with sweat and desire, was
enough to drive me wild with lust.
If passion took her, how would I hold myself back?
Cavra gave me a knowing smile that slowly took on a sinister twist.
“Don’t worry, Jaxson. All you two need to do is have a good time. I’ll do all
&nbs
p; the rest. But don’t delude yourself that your participation is negotiable. It’s
not.”
Savannah pulled her arm from my grasp. “We’ve come this far. We’re
not backing out now.”
She had no idea what she was dealing with.
“Delightful! I knew that you would see reason.” Cavra held her hand out.
“The bloodstone, please.”
Before I could object, Savannah stepped forward and delivered it. My
breath caught. The maenad cradled the stone like an egg, her gaze wild. After
a few moments, she shifted her bright eyes up to us. “Thank you. Now, are
you ready?”
“Let’s get this show on the road,” Savannah muttered as Cavra stepped up
to the base of a massive, twisted banyan tree.
Cavra chuckled. “The show is just getting started, child. Watch out—you
might even enjoy yourselves.”
A wall of silvery moss hung from the lowest branch like a curtain, and
with a wink, Cavra slowly parted it.
Closing my eyes, I begged the moon mother for strength. No matter what
happened inside, Savannah and I could not fuck. If I could just hold that
line…