The Devil’s Chaos (The Brotherhood #2)

46. Forty-Six

46

FORTY-SIX

HAVEN

T he night of The Ceremony was here.

Kai shared with me the Brotherhood's background and the hierarchy of which he was a part of. It’s not like I didn’t understand his duties and responsibilities as someone who was also raised in a criminal organization. But understanding what was expected of him didn’t make it easier to watch him pace anxiously as he prepared for the ritual that would cement his position in The Brotherhood’s inner circle. The Hunt was designed to reward the younger members before they inherited their respective thrones—it also served as a way for them to find a suitable wife. Archer met Mila while they both attended St. Mary’s, and he completed the ceremony with her because he knew that was what was required by their fathers: not only to protect her, but also to solidify his bond with her. It was the only way she would be accepted.

Now, the burden fell on me.

The Ceremony involved having sex in front of masked and robed senior members, including Theo, who was obliged to participate, unlike Archer due to his blood bond with Mila. Kai had explained that we would exchange a blood vow and then have sex with Theo in front of everyone to complete The Ceremony. I knew Kai had no choice. This path had been laid out for him since birth, a destiny he could not escape.

Same as mine.

I could see the turmoil in his eyes and the conflict that raged within him. He didn’t want to do this, to subject me to The Brotherhood’s twisted games, but he didn’t realize that I would do anything for him, even if that meant being with Theo to secure my place by his side. He finally stopped pacing and turned to face me.

“Haven, you don’t have to do this. I can’t ask this of you.”

I stepped closer. “You’re not asking. I know what this means for you. For us. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of your future. I don’t care what a bunch of old dudes think about me. I care what you think about me. I made my decision long ago. From the moment I walked away from you, I knew you were my home.”

Kai's eyes softened as he pulled me into his arms. “I love you, Haven. More than anything. I just hate that you have to go through this because of me, because of who I am.”

I reached up to caress his face. “I love every part of you, Kai. The good and the bad. The light and the dark. I'm not afraid of your world or what I have to do to be in it. As long as we're together, that's all that matters.”

“Let's show them that nothing can break us apart.”

I was forbidden from seeing Kai until the ritual started. Archer and Theo were tasked with walking me to where The Ceremony would be held in the mausoleum on the grounds. Mila had been the first Chosen in several years to be considered for The Ceremony, and I was the second. I knew being chosen was a great honor. I just hoped I was deserving of the title.

Mila wasn’t allowed to be present during the ceremony, but she helped me get ready. A beautiful white dress was hung in my closet, accompanied by a shimmering veil that I would wear until it was time to remove it in front of Kai.

“You look stunning, Haven,” Mila exclaimed with a smile.

Her sincerity always touched me deeply, and I don’t think she even realized how much I treasured it. My whole life, I was under the control of someone else. Someone else made decisions for me. But today, I was making a decision for myself. The only thing that mattered was Kai and me and the loyalty and bond we were creating together with Archer, Mila, and soon, Theo. Everything else was just background noise.

“How did you get through The Ceremony?” I asked her as she curled my hair.

Mila’s expression turned pensive as she recalled her own experience. “It wasn’t easy. The idea of being intimate with Theo and Kai, especially in front of others, in front of Archer, was difficult. Kai told me you saw a video of it. Haven, I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be. You did what was expected of you. I’m the last person to judge anyone for that.”

“I promise it was nothing more than the requirement of The Ceremony. And they all would have stood up to their fathers if I had told them I didn’t want to do it.”

“So, why did you?”

“The same reason you are, I imagine.”

I understood her completely. We were both doing this out of love and loyalty to the men we had chosen.

“I focused on Archer,” Mila continued, her voice soft with remembered emotion. “On his eyes, on the connection between us. It helped me get through the rest. Afterward, he held me tight and reassured me of his love. That’s what matters most, Haven. The love you and Kai share will carry through this.”

“What if he changes his mind?”

“Who? Kai?”

I nodded.

She shook her head firmly. “Haven, if there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s that Kai’s love for you is unshakable. He would move heaven and earth for you. This Ceremony, as twisted as it may be, is a means to an end. A way for you two to be together openly in the eyes of The Brotherhood. Could you imagine your life without him?”

“Never.”

“Good, because if you don’t do this, Kai will sacrifice himself for you, even if that leads to his death and the death of Archer and Theo.”

“His death?”

“Kai didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“Archer told me before our ceremony that if I refused, he and the boys would support me, but they would be punished. And that meant their deaths for being traitors. If I didn’t do it, I would be passed around by the senior members of The Brotherhood until I was nothing but a used-up husk, broken and bleeding.”

“And here I thought The Brotherhood held some righteousness over The Collectors.”

“In most ways, they do. However, when it comes to their archaic rituals, not much is different. They are governed by this outdated set of rules where women are objects. It’s a tale as old as time, women being oppressed and shit.”

“Jesus.”

“Yeah. But I want you to know that I would have made the decision to participate in the Ceremony to ensure I was able to stay in Archer’s life. To include Kai and Theo a hundred times over, regardless of the sacrifice I had to make in order to be in his life. I vowed to burn down the patriarchy, and I meant it. Times are changing in The Brotherhood, and I, for one, am more than happy I chose the side I did.”

A knock sounded at the door. It was time.

Archer waited outside. He was wearing a black robe with a hood and held a gold devil mask, just like Kai's, in his hand.

“Where’s Theo?” Mila asked him.

“I sent him off to handle something important for The Brotherhood,” Archer answered.

Mila looked at him confused and then settled her gaze on me. “Wait, what does that mean?”

“It means he is taking care of something urgent and cannot participate in The Ceremony tonight.”

“What are you up to, Archer?” Mila questioned with a smile on her face.

He turned to Mila. “I couldn’t protect you from The Brotherhood as much as I wanted to. But since Haven has arrived, there have been multiple new developments pertaining to her brother and The Collectors. Theo’s services are required elsewhere for the night. The elders have already been notified and agree that his services are better used elsewhere.”

“You sly fox,” Mila playfully smacked his chest.

Archer pulled Mila into his side and kissed her. I felt out of place watching, so I looked down at my feet until they were done. Archer turned to me, his expression turning serious.

“Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Stay focused on Kai, and then when you’re done, we will celebrate,” Mila reminded me as she pulled the veil over my face.

As Archer led me through the garden maze toward the mausoleum, my stomach churned with unspoken nerves. The path seemed to wind endlessly, the hedges looming tall on either side as if shielding the dark secrets that lie ahead. With each step, the mausoleum drew closer, its ominous silhouette rising against the night sky. Archer held my arm in his, a small measure of comfort in a time of uncertainty. I had found solace in knowing that he and Mila had faced this trial before me. Their love had emerged unscathed, so I hoped Kai and I would make it out the same.

“Once you enter, there’s no turning back.” Archer stopped me before I could walk inside.

“I’m okay, Archer. Let’s not keep everyone waiting.”

Torches were lit outside the mausoleum's heavy stone door, which was open. As I stepped across the threshold, the air seemed to thicken with an almost palpable tension. And the air was cold—like bone-chillingly cold. I walked down the stone stairs and ended up in a bigger room. It resembled an old church, complete with wooden church pews and spiderwebs. Flickering candlelight casted an eerie glow across the room, illuminating the masked figures seated in the pews. Their robes were a deep, foreboding black, contrasting sharply with the white masks on their faces and the pale stone walls. Their presence was both imposing and unsettling. At the front of the room stood an altar draped in crimson velvet, its surface adorned with candles. At the center of the room stood Kai, dressed in black ceremonial robes like Archer and the mysterious masked watchers. I wondered which mask Kai’s father was behind, no doubt unhappy with what was about to happen but obligated to be there for the consummation.

Archer guided me to stand beside Kai, then took his place among the others. Kai’s hand found mine, his fingers laced with my own in a silent show of reassurance.

The officiant’s voice echoed through the space, a haunting sound. “We gather here tonight to witness the joining of Kai and Haven in the sacred bonds of The Ceremony. Through this ritual, they will pledge their loyalty to each other and The Brotherhood.”

The officiant turned to Kai. “Kai Montgomery, do you swear to protect and cherish Haven, to stand by her side through all trials, and to uphold the honor of The Brotherhood?”

Kai’s voice was firm and resolute as he replied, “I swear it, with all I am.”

Then, the officiant addressed me.

“Haven Benson, do you swear to be loyal to Kai, to support him in his duties to The Brotherhood, and to bear the responsibilities of being bound to him?”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding beneath the delicate white fabric of my dress. “I swear it, with all my heart and soul.”

The officiant nodded.

Kai turned to face me, candlelight glinting off his silver mask. “Haven, you came into my life like a storm—sudden, unpredictable, and commanding. You challenge me, push me to be better, to want more than the life I’ve settled for.” He reached out, his fingers gently tracing the edge of my veil. “I stand here today, before the eyes of The Brotherhood, to pledge myself to you, body and soul. I vow to love you fiercely, to protect you with every breath in my body, and to build a life with you that defies the darkness that has shaped us both. So, Haven, I bind myself to you. My body. My mind. My soul. I am yours, and you are mine. If death comes for me, I shall wait for you. We shall not part in this life or the next.”

Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes as I listened to his heartfelt declaration, to all the words I needed to hear him say. My voice trembled with barely contained emotion when it was my turn to speak. “Kai, you have been my anchor in a world that sought to drown me. Your love has been the light guiding me through the shadows, the promise of a future I never dared to imagine for myself.” I reached up, my fingers intertwined with his. “I choose you, not out of obligation or duty, but because my heart beats in tandem with yours. I promise to stand by your side, face whatever trials come our way, and love you with a fierce devotion that knows no bounds. In you, I have found my home, my sanctuary, and my forever. So, Kai, I bind myself to you. My body. My mind. My soul. I am yours, and you are mine. If death comes for me, I shall wait for you. We shall not part in this life or the next.”

As we exchanged our vows, the atmosphere seemed to shift. The masked figures watched in solemn silence, bearing witness to the vows Kai and I had spoken. The air hummed with an energy that was both ancient and powerful, as if the very stones of the mausoleum absorbed the weight of our words.

The officiant stepped forward, a ceremonial blade glinting in his hand. “With this blood oath, your bond shall be sealed, unbreakable, and eternal. Now, seal your bond with blood, a symbol of your unwavering commitment to each other and to The Brotherhood.”

Kai took the dagger, his movements deliberate and steady as he lifted my veil and pressed the blade against my bottom lip. The sharp edge broke my delicate skin, and warm blood slowly dripped down my chin. I took the dagger from his hand, mirroring his actions. I pressed the blade against his lip, watching as a thin red line appeared. His eyes met mine, and I swear I saw something primal appear in them. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. The metallic tang of blood mingled with the sweetness of his lips and sealed our blood oath with a kiss.

“Behold, Kai and Haven, bound by blood and oath. May their union strengthen The Brotherhood and bring honor to us all.”

A murmur of assent rippled through the masked figures as they rose from their seats, their robes rustling in the stillness of the mausoleum. One by one, they approached us, each offering a silent nod of acknowledgment and acceptance. I felt the weight of their gazes upon me, assessing and judging, but I stood tall next to Kai, focusing only on him and us.

Kai’s hand found mine again as he led me to the altar. The crimson velvet seemed to shimmer in the candlelight, a silent invitation to consummate our bond before the eyes of The Brotherhood.

With reverent hands, he began to undress me, each brush of his fingers against my skin ignited that familiar fire that threatened to consume me whole. I reciprocated, my fingers trembled slightly as I removed his robes, revealing the chiseled planes of his body that I had come to know so intimately. His touch was gentle as he helped me onto the altar, the velvet soft beneath my skin. I knew this moment was as difficult for him as it was for me, to bear our intimacy before the watchful eyes of the masked figures.

His lips trailed along my neck, his breath hot against my skin as he whispered words of love and devotion. I clung to him, my fingers dug into his back as he shielded my body with his. His hands roamed over my curves, caressing and exploring like no one was watching. I arched into his touch, desperate to be closer, to feel him in every way possible.

“Look at me, little lamb,” his voice was low, and I drew my gaze to meet his.

His eyes, dark with desire, held mine as he positioned himself above me. With a slow, deliberate thrust, he entered me, and I gasped at the exquisite sensation of him filling me completely. I raked my nails down his back as he drove into me with increased fervor. Once he entered me, I no longer cared who watched. All I cared about was him. Our hearts beat as one as the world faded away, leaving only the two of us. I sank my teeth into the sensitive flesh of his shoulder, fighting to muffle my moans.

Kai's movements grew more urgent, his thrusts deeper and harder as he claimed me on the altar, our bodies joined as one. Pleasure coiled tightly within me, building with each slide of his hips against mine. I clung to him desperately as I lost myself in the overwhelming sensations that consumed me. His name fell from my lips like a prayer as I spiraled closer to the edge of ecstasy.

“Let go, my love,” he breathed against my ear. “Let them see you come undone for me.”

With those words, I shattered beneath him, my body trembled as waves of intense bliss crashed over me. Kai followed me over the precipice, his release pulsed deep within me as he buried his face in the crook of my neck, muffled his groans against my skin.

We remained locked in an intimate embrace for a moment, our chests heaved and hearts raced in sync. Kai's weight was a comforting presence above me, shielding me from the watchful eyes of the masked figures. Slowly, he lifted his head, and his gaze met mine with a tenderness that made my heart ache.

“You're mine now, Haven,” he whispered fiercely. “Forever and always.”

I reached up to caress his face, my fingertips traced the strong lines of his jaw. “And you're mine, Kai. Nothing can ever change that.”

As we disentangled and stood before the altar, the officiant's voice rang out again. “The Ceremony is complete. Kai and Haven are now bound by blood, oath, and consummation. May their union bring strength and prosperity to The Brotherhood.”

Kai helped cover me up with my robe, and then pulled his back on, concealing our nakedness.

The masked figures began to file out of the mausoleum, their robes rustling softly as they departed. Archer approached us, a smile evident in his eyes despite the mask concealing his face. He clasped Kai's shoulder in a brotherly gesture before turning to me.

“Welcome to the family, Haven,” he said warmly. “You've proven your loyalty and devotion today.”

I nodded, feeling a sense of belonging wash over me. I had bound myself not only to Kai but also to this Brotherhood, to the intricate web of power and secrets that governed their world.

As we made our way out of the mausoleum, Kai's hand never left mine. The night air was cool against my flushed skin, and I inhaled deeply, savoring the freedom and unity that surrounded us.

Mila was waiting outside, a knowing smile on her face as she embraced me tightly. "You did it, Haven. I'm so proud of you."

I hugged her back, grateful for her unwavering support and friendship. “Thank you, Mila. For everything.”

Kai's hand found the small of my back, guiding me up the steps and through the front door. The house was quiet, the usual bustle of activity replaced by a hushed reverence in the aftermath of The Ceremony.

We gathered in the study, the crackling fireplace casting a warm, flickering light across the room. Archer poured us each a glass of amber liquid, the crystal tumblers clinking softly as he handed them out.

“To Haven,” he said, raising his glass in a toast. “For proving her worth and cementing her place among us. May she bring strength, wisdom, and loyalty to our Brotherhood.”

“To Haven,” Kai and Mila echoed, their voices filled with genuine affection and respect.

I sipped the smooth, burning liquor, feeling it warm me from the inside out. As I looked around at the faces of my new family, a sense of belonging and purpose settled over me. We had all been through so much, our paths intertwined by fate and the dark machinations of the underworld. But here, in this moment, we stood united, bound by love, loyalty, and the unbreakable vows we had taken.