Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127933 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 426(@300wpm)
This was a baptism of sorts, but not one of purity. It was something darker, something that tied me even closer to the Isle, to Alexander, to our faith. As we reached the deeper part of the lake, Alexander turned to face me, his hands resting on my shoulders. His gaze never left mine as he began to speak, his voice steady and filled with a reverence that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Tonight, you are cleansed of your past life. You are reborn, not as a servant of the light, but as a vessel for the darkness that binds us. From this moment, you belong to me, to this Isle, to our faith."
The congregation gathered at the shore began to chant in unison, their voices rising in Latin as they echoed his words. The sound was haunting, almost hypnotic, and as it washed over me, I felt a strange calm settle in my chest.
Alexander’s hands slid to the back of my neck, tilting my head gently back. “Let the water take you, Sponsa Diaboli.”
With that, he guided me down into the water, submerging me completely. The coolness of the lake enveloped me, my body suspended in the stillness beneath the surface.
For a brief moment, I felt weightless, unburdened, as though the water itself was washing away everything I had once been. When Alexander pulled me back up, gasping for air, I wasn’t the same. The lake dripped from my skin, but it wasn’t just water. It was a transformation. I looked into Alexander’s eyes, and I knew beyond any reasonable doubt—I didn’t just belong to him, but the Isle too
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Dripping wet from the lake, Alexander lifted me effortlessly onto the waiting boat, his hands firm but gentle as they gripped my waist. I shivered slightly, not from the cold, but from the weight of the night, of what I had just gone through. He climbed aboard behind me, his presence a comforting shadow at my side.
A masked disciple stood at the helm, starting the engine with a low rumble, and as the boat pulled away from the shore, the sound of the congregation's chants echoed behind us, the haunting Latin words carrying across the water. Everyone remained offshore, watching as we drifted into the night.
I couldn’t help but glance back, feeling a sense of finality wash over me. "What will they do now?" I asked, my voice barely audible over the hum of the boat.
Alexander’s eyes flicked to mine, a glimmer of amusement in them. "Celebrate," he said simply. "Keep the party going in their own way."
I swallowed, knowing that for them, "celebrate" had a much darker meaning. But before I could ask more, he added, "We have one last ceremony to complete."
I turned to him. "What is it?"
Instead of answering, Alexander smirked and changed the subject with a casual ease that made my heart skip. "Did you see your dog?"
I blinked, caught off guard. "It was kind of hard to miss."
His smirk widened. "It needs a name. Right now, he's just K9 614."
I couldn’t help but laugh, a small sound breaking through the tension. "Is there a reason you chose that dog specifically?"
His eyes met mine, and there was something darker there, something knowing. "Yes. It’s trained on the Isle, and it won’t piss and shit on our floors."
I chuckled again, but the weight of the conversation lingered. There was always something more behind Alexander’s words. But before I could question further, the boat began to slow, and I noticed the looming figure of the lighthouse ahead—the same beacon I had only ever seen from a distance.
The closer we got, the more imposing it seemed. The stone structure was tall, and ancient, with the waves crashing at its base as the light flickered high above, casting long shadows across the dark water. It felt like the final destination, the culmination of everything that had happened tonight.
The disciple cut the engine, and Alexander rose to his feet. He extended his hand to me, and I took it without hesitation, letting him help me from the boat. The moment my feet touched the solid ground, I felt a chill run through me, but not from the cool night air.
Alexander didn’t say a word as he led me up the stone steps toward the entrance of the lighthouse, his hand firm around mine. The wind howled around us, the waves crashing in the distance, but all I could focus on was the feeling of his presence beside me.
When we reached the door, he swept me up into his arms, carrying me across the threshold with ease.
I gasped softly, instinctively wrapping my arms around his neck, my heart racing at the sudden movement. The inside of the lighthouse was a stark contrast to the rugged exterior. It had been transformed to match the Chapel, with flickering candles lining the walls, soft drapes cascading from the ceiling, and the faint scent of incense filling the air. It was like stepping into another world—a world crafted just for us.