Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) by Nancy Glynn Page A

his.
    Looking at the
double steel doors, not knowing exactly what was behind them, she paused before
answering. “Yes. Let’s go in.”

Chapter Ten
     
    At first it
felt like she was stepping into an abyss, but then it expanded into dimmed
lights and hushed voices. Black pews were separated by an aisle leading up to
an altar with a podium in the center.
    Everyone’s
black cloaks were in contrast to her blue one, their hoods shadowing their
faces. Torches adorned the altar, flames licking the dead air, and faces
outlined by the candles in their grips.
    The one thing
that really caught her attention as she walked closer was the upside down cross
hanging from the raft over the altar. Her knees buckled, and Christian steadied
her. They walked down the aisle, everyone bowing as they passed them, some with
smiles, some with dead eyes.
    “Hail
Christian!” they chanted.
    When they got
to the front of the church, Christian bowed to the altar. He stood back and
directed her to do the same, his eyes pleading. She looked at the altar dressed
in black, averting her eyes from that thing hanging upside, an organ playing
somewhere, and she bowed, swallowing the vomit rising in her throat.
    After erecting
herself, she saw him there as if he appeared after her bow. Jack Red wore a
black suit, a top hat, and a cane. “Hello, Daisy. Thank you for honoring me.
And now allow us to honor you." He nodded to Christian to take their
seats.
    Christian held
her hand in reassurance of what was to come. She was positive her heart could
be heard by all, sounding like a fast, hard knock on a wooden plank. The organ
sounded and hooded heads bowed in prayer. She followed along and closed her
eyes, not wanting to see what was happening. She peeked when she heard his
voice.
    “We welcome
you, Daisy, into our world,” Jack spoke in a thunderous tone, booming
throughout the church, rattling the walls.
    Fire erupted on
each side of him in response, the heat of the flames kissing her face. A low
chant surrounded her, feeling like hands clawing at her from behind. But when
she turned around, only hooded stares from their seats.
    “Christian,
bring Daisy up here to introduce her to her new family, her new way of life,”
he instructed.
    She looked at
him, but something flickered in his eyes, that same look he had last night. Did
she lose him again? Was this her Christian she loved or something else?
    Christian
allowed her to go before him, up the three steps to the platform, and stood by
the altar. He ripped her cloak off, bringing a small cry from her. “I would
like you all to welcome Daisy, my birthday present from my father,” he said,
bowing to William Stone in the congregation. “And also to Daisy’s father,
Richard. If it weren’t for him, there’d be no Daisy." He bowed to another
section of pews.
    Her father was
here? It was so dark. All she could see were hoods, no faces. She could never
call him father again. She hardened her jaw and narrowed her eyes, standing
straighter and taller.
    Claps and
cheers broke out, giving a standing ovation. Something soft hit her, and she
realized they were throwing daisies at her. A little girl ran up to her with a
bouquet of them wrapped in an emerald ribbon.
    She bent down
to receive them. “Thank you, sweetheart,” she said to a girl of about thirteen,
her long, curly, blonde hair poking out of the hood.
    “Hail Daisy,”
the girl said as she bowed. “I’m so proud to be your sacrifice and walk along
the path chosen for me. Thank you." She bowed again and returned to her
parents nodding their approval.
    “Sacrifice?”
she whispered to Christian.
    Christian
continued speaking as if he never heard her. “Thank you, Emily. We’re grateful
for your act of courage and strength. Your place awaits you in the after dark.”
    Daisy looked at
him with a puzzled expression. “Christian?” she whispered.
    Faces began to
blur in her vision, distorting features with wide, slashed smiles and black