I have to get her out of here.
Hairs on the back of my neck stand as I walk through the hallways. I have no clue which door she is behind. I’ll fucking try them all if it means I can get her out of this. I open the ones that aren’t locked, just to find them all empty, and listen against the door of all ones I can’t peek into. Each one leaves me empty-handed.
I make my way through the maze of hallways, my chest tightening with each one failing to produce her.
I turn a corner and am met with one single door.
My heart pounds as I step closer to it. I grasp the doorknob, and it turns with ease. Holding my breath, I slowly push it open. No sounds fall as I swing it open in anticipation. My eyes scan the room, the draining tub, andthe discarded clothes. I let out my breath. The floral smell hits me first, but as I linger in the doorway, the sweet smell of her vanilla scent fuses with it.
She is here.
“Eden?” I whisper into the room as I walk around to see if there are any other areas she could be. “Elliott?”
No matter what name I call out, it doesn’t matter. She isn’t here anymore.
I collapse into the chair of the vanity near the empty tub, resting my elbows on my knees as I let my head hang low.
How could I not get to her in time? Why didn’t I rush her out of here sooner?
For the fucking mission?
I rub my hands through my hair and take a deep breath. If she isn’t here, then she is down there. I stand to make my way back to the viewing hall, hoping I can somehow save her still from whatever they have planned.
I pull my phone from my pocket, then shoot Marcus and Hunter a text of the layout of the building and what room she is in. They need to know if we are going to have to change the plans. I don’t care what I have to do.
Elliott is getting out of Everton tonight.
40
Eden
Abigail leads me to a set of double doors and knocks against them in a rhythmic tone. They are open from the inside, and the lack of light obscures my vision as I take hesitant steps forward and squint to adjust to the lighting. The door closes behind me.
Every set of eyes are on me in the seats of the viewing room. I keep walking farther into the room, looking through the crowd of men.
These ceremonies are men only, but seeing every man in the community watching me walk to the front of the room has chills run down my spine. My mind is screaming at me to run, but my feet keep moving forward.
They all stand. The shuffling sound is the only thing in the room. I am immediately aware of how exposed my body is now.
Two men light hundreds of candles lining the back of the room behind the marble-like table placed there. I reach the front of the room and stand there alone. The men all sit in their seats.
Rubbing my fingers against my palms, I feel how sweaty they have become. The candles burn just bright enough that I can see the silhouettes of the crowd.
A shadow on the other side of the room catches my attention, and when I turn to look, I see Samuel. He is wearing that same robe he did at the induction ceremony.
I straighten my posture as he comes to my side, looking down at me in front of him.
“You look absolutely beautiful, Eden,” he whispers, but I don’t give him a glance. “I knew you’d be a stunning bride.”
I thought he would address the crowd first.
Me looking away from him must annoy him because he lets out an exaggerated breath before he turns to his community members.
“We are here for a sacred moment. You should all count yourselves lucky to be here and witness.”
“Praise the Divine,” they chant at him.
I flinch at the words I have said a million times.