Grace pulls off my veil, then works the robe buttons at my throat. I’m exposed, and there’s nowhere to hide from the senator’s too-interested gaze. Protectors and attendants stack up the pews and place them outside the pavilion, then replace them with plush chairs and couches.
She strips the robe off, and the blast of cool air chills my skin. My nipples harden embarrassingly, and I know the senator notices, because he licks his lips. A waft of warmth from the bonfire mixes with the chilly night, alternating hot and cold along my exposed body.
“Nice to finally meet you. Formally, I mean.” He holds out a hand.
Grace pushes me in the lower back, forcing me closer to him. “Best behavior,” she whispers.
I take his hand to shake, but he pulls me to him until we’re almost touching. The heels help, but I still have to tilt my chin up to catch his eyes.
“I’m Evan.” He doesn’t release my hand.
“Delilah.”
“What’s your real name?” His cologne is expensive, sophisticated and with subtle notes I can’t follow.
“Delilah.” I’m desperate to rip my hand away from his, but the heavy necklace around my throat reminds me that anything I do will have consequences—bad ones.
“That’s how you’re going to play it, Delilah?” One side of his lips quirk. He’d be handsome if I didn’t know what a horrible, ghoulish soul lives inside of him.
“I’m not playing anything.” I silently scream for Adam to appear, to do something, anything to get me out of this man’s grasp.
“We’ll see.” He glances at my lips.
I lean back instinctively, and he laughs, a deep-throated sound that raises the hair along the back of my neck.
“This is going to be a fun little chase, isn’t it?” He leans closer, invading my space. “Even though we both know it’s going to end with you tied to my bed for however long I want.”
“Fuck you.” I don’t think about the words before they spill out.
His eyes widen. “Oh, Delilah. I like that very much.” He pulls my unwilling hand to his crotch so I can feel his growing erection. “I love the ones that fight.”
“Yeah?” I grip his dick hard.
He yells, and the shock at my neck makes me stagger backwards.
“Delilah!” Grace rushes over and grabs me by the hair. “I’m so sorry, Senator. This one is willful to the point that she needs additional—”
“It’s fine.” Evan holds up a hand and uses the other to adjust himself in his pants. “Completely fine. In fact, I’d like to discuss this little wildcat with the Prophet sooner rather than later.”
Grace pulls my hair harder, and I have to arch my back to keep the follicles from ripping away. Evan peruses my body with open lust, and I consider throwing an elbow to escape Grace’s grip. But that would only lead to more pain for me. Not escape. Never that.
“Let her go.” He ices his tone, and Grace reluctantly obeys, loosening her hold.
I sidestep her and cross my arms over my chest as a chunk of the bonfire structure crashes in on itself, sending a rush of heat blowing past and fading cinders floating through the air.
“I’d like you to put her robe back on.” He finally releases me from his gaze and turns to Grace.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. The Maidens have been specially prepared for the evening.” Grace shakes her head.
“I don’t want anyone else looking at her.” He moves toward Grace, who, to my shock, takes a step back.
His proprietary tone sets my teeth on edge. I’m not some toy that he can buy. Then again, I remind myself, that’s exactly what I am—one of the Prophet’s whores that he will sell to whomever pays the most.
Grace stands firm this time. “I understand, but until we have a completed arrangement between you and the Prophet, Delilah belongs to Heavenly, and the Prophet will do with her as he sees fit.”
He clenches his jaw. “Take me to him.”
“Again, I can’t do that. He’s about to begin his—”
“Welcome to the real celebration!” The Prophet walks around the bonfire, his crimson robe flecked with gold.
Grace takes me by the elbow and leads me away, Evan’s gaze heavy on my back. She laughs a little. “Anticipation will make him even more desperate. And then, once he offers the right price, I’ll be rid of you.” She shoves me back into my chair. “Stay here until it’s time.”
Time for what? I don’t ask. She wouldn’t tell me anyway. Instead, she wanders off among the hungry suitors, some of them forming circles around the Maidens.
The Prophet’s voice booms through the sound system. “The winter solstice is finally upon us, a time when we celebrate the gifts of our Heavenly Father as well as those from the Father of Fire!”
I glance at the people gathered nearby. Not one of them bats an eyelash when the Prophet mentions what I can only assume is the devil. One of the suitors strikes up a conversation with Evan, but he keeps an eye on me. I wish for my robe and veil.