Free Initiation by H. N. Sieverding Page A

escort her."
    "Is she…" Pausing, Christian let out an annoyed sigh, his nose squishing up slightly as he stopped himself from completing his sentence.
    "She’s very weak, but her self-control is amazing." Brandon let out a small chuckle, the noise coming out more like a grunt than a laugh. "She’s going to pass this test, so you have nothing to fear. I have a mate myself, so I can relate to what you’re feeling…but why haven’t you come to see her? She’s been asking for you."
    "I’ll see her tonight." Christian rubbed the side of his index finger under his nose a few times roughly.
    "I don’t blame you for not wanting to watch her starve." Brandon’s fingers wrapped tighter around the railing. He studied Christian’s reaction to his comment, a small look of triumph on his face when he saw Christian’s scowl. "I couldn’t watch my Lettie suffer either…" He looked down at his feet, which were dangling a few stories from the ground. "But to be worthy of being your mate she must be strong, and—"
    "It has nothing to do with that." Looking over at Brandon, Christian sent him an annoyed glare. His voice was not friendly, but it was soft. "It wasn’t my idea to starve her this long. This is a test being carried out by the House. They want to know how long she is able to go without food."
    "The House?" Brandon narrowed his eyes on Christian. His words hissed off his tongue. "They know about her?"
    "Yes." Christian nodded, putting his finger between his nose and lips and letting it pause there as he looked distantly ahead. "They told me about her a few years ago. An angel sent from Heaven, worthy of becoming my wife. I didn’t realize then how she would make me feel—"
    Pulling his hand away from his face swiftly, Christian switched his position on the railing, letting both his feet dangle over the side. He gripped it tightly as he shook his head. "Even though I know starving her is what must be done…" His brow lowered as he glared at his knees, a sad tone creeping into his velvety voice. "I do not want to hurt her. I want to protect her, feed her—" He looked up at the darkening sky, the clouds blocking the stars. "But I cannot."
    "They need her for something, don’t they?" Brandon’s voice was soft as he leaned a little closer to Christian. "What do they want her for?"
    Christian didn’t look at Brandon as he spoke. "It’s getting late. I need to pick up our new sister. I will see you soon. Do not speak of the House’s intentions with the others. I do not want anyone to know about it."
    "Yes, Master." Brandon nodded, watching Christian jump off the railing and disappear into the darkness.
    Brandon informed the others, and they all waited for Christian’s return in the sitting room on the top floor of the manor. Sitting next to Nicolette, Addison was laying on her as Nicolette lovingly stroked her hair and spoke softly to her. Addison begged Nicolette to feed her, but Nicolette had to refuse.
    The others were looking at them, but quickly turned to Christian as he entered with the new initiate. Addison looked as well but neither she nor Nicolette got up to greet her. The new woman was beautiful and hung on Christian as Addison had done, a look of complete admiration in her eyes. Christian left her with Victoria, who led her over to the group of women.
    "This is Amanda, our new sister. Let us welcome her." Smiling, Victoria held her hands lovingly around Amanda’s shoulders, all of them saying hello.
    Nicolette motioned for Addison to sit up on her own, Addison groaning because she didn’t want to move. Feeling faint, Addison leaned against a large pillow behind her. She forced a friendly expression for Amanda but didn’t say anything.
    "Thank you all for welcoming me." Amanda had a shy smile on her face, feeling safe and secure around the kind women. However, a slight frown crept into her happy features as she saw the worn out expression on Addison’s face. "And what’s your name?"
    "Addison."