Page 681 of Coal Hearts

It was our funeral march.

And I needed to get on my knees and repent.

To confess and atone so when the time came for my life to end, I might stand a minuscule chance at following Ily into the next life.

Because Peter and her...they’d travel together.

They’d find each other again.

Both of them pure enough to deserve a worthwhile existence.

But me?

Fuck me?

After the things I’d done.

The things I wanted to do.

Twin flame or not...I wouldn’t be allowed to go with her.

Sighing happily, Victor twisted to face the front, pushed Ily between her shoulders, and we were all moving again.

Closer and closer.

Nearer and nearer...

Until finally—

“We’re here,” Victor announced, his voice echoing off stone.

With my heart already turning over in its grave and my skin slick with icy sweat, we all spilled out into a familiar cave.

One with an altar.

A cupboard full of skulls.

And seats for devils to watch.

Chapter Thirty-Five

............................

Ily

––––––––

I DIDN’T SCREAM AS VICTOR snapped his fingers and two guards grabbed me around my arms and legs and plucked me from the ground.

I didn’t scream as they spread me on the stony, icy altar with its grooves for blood and cauldron to catch my essence.

I didn’t scream as heavy, thick straps were tossed over my ankles and buckled down tight.

I didn’t scream as my golden cuffs were tethered onto hooks and my collar snapped into place with a mechanism in the stone, choking me, keeping my head down, my chest exposed, and every part of me ready to be sacrificed.

I didn’t scream.

In this dimension.