Chapter 42

It's late evening and I slip my cropped leather jacket up my arms, preparing to face the society with Hell. Nervous doesn't even begin to describe how I feel, but I know I need to ready myself for absolutely anything. I pull my tight black high-waist jeans further up, then turn and head for the front door.

Outside, it's dark and I spot Wrath and Soul already on their bikes while Hell waits for me to join him. I can hear the carnival buzzing with life in background, open again to the public under Madame's orders. Stopping in front of Hell, he slides a black, matte helmet over my head, then grabs my waist, lifting me onto the back of his bike. As he mounts the front, I wrap my arms tightly around him. He revs the engine with a booming roar, then speeds forward, leaving the carnival grounds behind us.

The cold night breeze whips around us as we ride, and I hold on tighter, feeling Hell's muscles beneath my hand on his abs. The tension of what's to come tightens in my chest with every passing minute.

After some time, we ride through massive iron, spiked gates, and I peer over Hell's shoulder until I see a huge black mansion looming in sight, resembling a castle with bright lights from below illuminating it. When we pull up, Hell kicks out the stand and dismounts. I lift the helmet off my head, taking in the surroundings and noticing armed men guarding every corner. Hell takes the helmet, drawing my attention to him, then slides his arm around the middle of my back, lifting me off the bike.

When I'm standing, he brings his face close to mine. "Listen to me very carefully, Dolly," he murmurs seriously, and I give a tiny nod, swallowing hard. "Only speak when you're spoken to. Don't say more than you need to and don't ever fucking object to what they ask me to do, no matter what it is."

I stare into his eyes, my pulse racing. He gives me a firm kiss on the lips before taking my hand and pulling me toward the unknown. The huge doors open, and Soul and Wrath trail behind us. I look around the dark, castle-like décor, noticing only candles are providing light. It seems Hell knows exactly where he is going, his aura radiating confidence. We finally reach a large door, and Hell pauses, glancing back at me with a final, reassuring squeeze of my hand before pushing it.

When the door creaks open, I immediately notice the vast expanse of the room, pillars standing throughout. At the far end, a long, extended wooden table dominates the space, with three men seated behind it, side by side.

As we come to a stop, Hell releases my hand, his warmth dissipating, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable, but I try not to show my fear, though inside, I am screaming.

Hell takes a few steps forward before stopping in front of the men, all three of them intimidating, powerful, and dressed in black suits. Their presence is overwhelming, and I can feel their eyes boring into me, assessing, judging.

"I am here to ask for mercy on someone," Hell says, his deep voice echoing through the cavernous space.

The men lean in, whispering to one another until the middle one speaks, "Proceed."

Hell looks back at me, his gaze steady. "This is the girl who killed Hollow Haze last year."

"You want mercy for a girl who killed not only a member of the Shadow's but your family?" The man on the right asks, his dark eyes piercing through me.

Hell meets his gaze. "Yes," he answers, his voice unwavering.

"Reasons?"

"She was held captive by Kyro..."

"Not from you, Hell, from her." The man on the right gestures for me to step forward, and I do, my legs feeling like lead as I move to stand beside Hell.

"Name?" The middle man asks.

"Harley Miller."

Suddenly, the man on the right slowly stands, pushing his chair back with a deliberate motion. He keeps his eyes on mine as he circles the table, and we all watch his movements. He stops in front of me, leaning against the table, his hands clasped in front of him.

"Harley Miller?" he questions, and I give a small nod. "You're supposed to be dead aren't you?" he says, raising a brow in suspicion, and I straighten up, trying to project confidence.

"I was, but Kyro hid me."

"And why would he do that?"

I throw a glance at Hell above me and then look back at the man. "My mom was having an affair before she died. He revenge raped me from the age of twelve. I was being conditioned to be sold. Kai was heavily involved too," I murmur.

The other two men whisper to each other, their expressions unreadable. The man in front of me stares without a flicker of emotion, as if that is all normal to him.

"Your mother was a very dear friend of my wife's," he admits.

My brows pinch in confusion. "She was?"

He gives a small nod and I start to wonder if my mom knew all about this society; if she was more involved in the underworld than I initially thought.

"You killed Hollow Haze?" His voice is calm, almost too calm, and it sends a shiver down my spine. I nod again, trying to keep my composure.

"Speak," he demands, his tone turning cold, and I try not to jolt as his powerful voice booms through the room. "Why should we grant you mercy?"

I swallow hard, my mouth dry as I muster the courage to answer. "I had lost my sanity by that point, and I was desperate to escape after everything I had endured."

His eyes flash to Hell's beside me. "Why the sudden change? You were adamant to take this hit," he asks sternly.

I side-eye and when Hell speaks, I look at him. "Because I don't believe it's right what my cousin or uncle did. Kyro lured Harley to Oddity when she escaped by using a fucking paedophile to befriend her. He allowed me to have an intimate relationship with Harley when I didn't know who the fuck she was. He did this out of revenge because the affair Harley's mother was having was with my father. I will not kill an innocent woman for Kyro. I have no fucking loyalty toward him."

I look at the man, and he is eyeing Hell suspiciously. "But your loyalty lies with us, and she did kill a Shadow's member."

"She did," Hell answers truthfully, and I lower my eyes.

The man walks around the table again until he is seated beside the other two, and Hell steps forward until he is beside me. While they whisper into each other's ears, I wait nervously, my pulse hammering in my ears, wondering what is going to happen next.

When they're done, the middle one speaks, "Mercy will be granted to Harley Miller if Hell is to pull three cards. Since he is the one who is asking, he will need to pay the price." I glance up at Hell, but without hesitation, he nods in agreement, and my gut twists. Something dreadful settles within me, and I can't seem to shake it off.

The man on the right starts to shuffle cards before he spreads them across the table in a curve. "Step forward, Hell. Take three cards and lay them face down in front of you."

I watch his every move as he walks toward them confidently, and without a second thought, he picks out three cards, placing each face down. After gathering the stack of cards, the middle man leans over, flipping the first card, and I see it's a gold skull, shining against the light.

"A part of your loyalty – You are in debt to the Shadow's Society until the day you die. There will be no retrials."

I notice Hell stands straighter, as if that is something he didn't want, and I feel awful instantly.

He flips the second card, revealing a skull with a black cross over the right eye.

"A part of your strength – Mutilation of your right eye."

I suck in a quick breath, unable to help it. Tears start to blur my vision, and my fists clench. Hell stays completely silent, now giving nothing away.

The third card is finally flipped, showing two big skulls and one small one in the middle, surrounded by red roses.

"A part of your legacy – Your right to have children. A permanent vasectomy."

I step forward because this is utterly fucking crazy, but Hell looks at me sharply, and I stop in my tracks. I give a small headshake, tears now tumbling down my cheeks, but he ignores my silent plea before looking at the men. "Let's get this done."

"No," I speak, my voice cracking.

"Harley…" Hell uses my real name to warn me.

"Please," I whisper, knowing it is so unfair that he has to lose so many good things in his life just to save mine.

"Enough!" He shouts at me, and my body tenses. "Get her out of here."

Suddenly, Soul wraps his arm around my midsection from behind, guiding me out. "He's made his mind up, Noir. Leave it," he murmurs in my ear, and I weep.

As we exit the room, my heart feels like it's being torn apart, and I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility and sorrow. The door closes behind us, and I hear the muffled sounds of the men preparing to carry out the punishments.

After what feels like an eternity of being in the foyer with Soul and Wrath, I pace up and down, fiddling with my fingers, hating every second of this agonizing wait. The tension is unbearable, and my mind races with worst-case scenarios. Suddenly, the doors open, and I freeze, watching Hell slowly come into view. He has one eye covered with a bloodied rag, and he is limping.

My heart clenches at the sight. I rush toward him, and as soon as I am close enough, he keeps his head bowed, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I can't shake the horrible feeling in my stomach with every step we take toward the exit.

"We've got a truck waiting," Soul says. "They've loaded your bike on the trailer at the back, so you don't have to ride." Hell stays silent, his head still lowered until we get outside and climb into the truck.

Once settled, Hell groans, lying back with his head on my lap. "Fuck, my nuts hurt," he mutters, his voice strained. I run my fingers through his hair, trying to soothe him, and I sniffle, which causes him to look at me with his good eye.

"What the fuck did I say to you about crying, Little Dolly?" he asserts sternly.

My eyes soften, tears fogging my vision. "I'm sorry, I can't help it." He takes in my features as I continue. "I wish…"

"You wish what? That I wouldn't have done that? Then they would have made me kill you there and then."

"I know," I weep, my voice breaking unable to control my emotions. "You now can't have children, you can't have a life, and it's all my fault."

He reaches up, sliding his hand around the back of my neck, his touch both comforting and grounding. "They didn't take my fucking life. You're still here," he says, his swirling eye boring into mine, and his words breathe warmth inside of me.

"I never fucking wanted kids. I am grown up enough to know not to bring a child into this madness, Noir. I could never be a father."

As he reassures me, although it doesn't make me feel any better, I rest my forehead against his, trying to compose myself. "This is so messed-up," I whisper, my voice trembling.

"This is my reality, pretty girl. Nothing is normal."

I lift my head, looking down at him. "And now it's my normal."

He gives a small nod. "Now I take Kyro out. They told me in there that he isn't officially part of the Shadow's; he's just an associate." I tilt my head to the side, trying to process his words and understand what he is trying to say. "You have mercy for your murder, Noir, but they will not stop Kyro from possibly killing or taking you again because you're not under their protection and you will never be."

I take a big inhale, anger and frustration bubbling up inside me until he continues. "But you're under my protection. You always will be. Kyro can't kill me, or he will receive punishment for killing on Shadow's member. So, for now, you stay at Oddity until I find him." I nod in agreement, my heart feeling heavy because of all of his sacrifices.