Chapter Fourteen

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{Guinevere's Point of View}

17 Years After the Kidnapping

I never knew who my parents were.  The only parents I know are the ones sitting across from me, yet against explaining what my purpose is for existing.  On the eve of my eighteenth birthday, I am to undergo a cleansing ritual so that my body is completely prepared for the resurrection of the Goddess we worship.  I should be scared, but my real parents abandoned me, so why should anyone want me?  

I won't be missed.  

Besides, Gideon and Scarlett tell me it's a huge honour to be chosen for the next Goddess.  But I don't think so at all.  All I want to do is find my birth parents and ask them why I wasn't enough.  What's the point in being as special as Gideon and Scarlett tell me I am if there's no-on to actually be proud of me?

The door to my plain bedroom opened, and Scarlett stepped through.  As many times as I had asked them to knock before entering, the answer was always the same: "there are no secrets in this Family."

I turned in my slim white chair and looked at Scarlett with my golden eyes.  Another reason I knew that Scarlett and Gideon were not my parents was because I looked absolutely nothing like them.  Scarlett has fierce red hair and greenish eyes while Gideon has tawny brown hair and hazel eyes.

I have silver-white hair and golden eyes.

"Gabriella.  It's time to meet the ones that will carry out the ritual on the eve of your eighteenth birthday."

I flinched internally as she called me Gabriella.  I had always felt like it wasn't my name, but my parents didn't want me, so I guess I'd just ignore the way my stomach soured when they spoke to me about the life I have now.

I hated feeling like I didn't belong.

Standing from my chair, I fixed the loose white sun dress I was wearing.  For whatever reason, we didn't own anything that wasn't white.

"Yes, Mother."

I followed Scarlett to one of the many meeting rooms we had.  I wasn't sure why we had so many, but I didn't dare ask.  She held the door for me, and I made my way inside, thanking her.  Waiting for her to allow me to sit, I noticed that there were two women and one man sitting at the table with Gideon.  I grabbed the hem of my skirt and curtsied.

"Father.  Father's guests."

Scarlett sat down next to Gideon and placed her hands on the table in front of her.  Gideon lifted his hand and introduced the three people.

"Gabriella, these are the women who will be performing the cleansing ritual in three months, and the man who will be the acting priest for the resurrection."

I grabbed the hem of my dress again and curtsied.

"The pleasure is mine."

I truly didn't feel like I belonged, but this was what Scarlett and Gideon had raised for from birth.  Gideon motioned with his hand towards the two women who would be doing the cleansing ritual.

"I'd like for you to get to know Amelia and Kaitlyn before the ritual actually comes to be.  Consider them to be your confidants.  They will know your secrets and will be able to cleanse you of all those sins before Reginald goes through with the resurrection ritual."

I didn't say a word as Gideon spoke.  Amelia and Kaitlyn smiled warmly at me, but I noticed that Amelia's smile didn't reach her eyes.  It didn't sit well with me.  Kaitlyn seemed to be genuine, but only time would tell.  I could feel my heart pound harder in my chest as I looked at Kaitlyn and I wasn't sure why.

Sure, she was attractive, but I wasn't allowed to be into anyone.  I was going to be sacrificed, so love wasn't part of my life.  Still, the way her eyes ran across my body made shivers run down my spine.  Gideon turned his attention back to me before he spoke.

"Show Amelia and Kaitlyn to their rooms.  The rooms on either side of your room will belong to them.  They will be given access to anything you may need between now and the ritual, so if you need anything, ask them first."

Gideon turned his attention back to Reginald and began to speak to him.  Scarlett gave me a sad smile before she hid it quickly and looked at Gideon.  I took him ignoring me for what it was; a dismissal.  Turning on my heel, I took my leave, not waiting for Amelia and Kaitlyn to follow me.  As I made my way to the rooms, I let my thoughts wander.  Sometimes I wondered if Scarlet actually did care about me.  She looked at me in such a way that it made me wonder if she felt differently about my upbringing in the Family than Gideon did.

I knew she didn't like what Gideon said sometimes, but she was really good at hiding her feelings on her face.  Her eyes told me a different story, though.  Sometimes I wondered how different she would be if she had been able to get away from the Family.  But Gideon was her husband, she wouldn't dare leave.  Sighing softly, I stopped outside of my bedroom. Clearing my throat and turning around, I addressed Amelia and Kaitlyn.

"These are your rooms.  If you need anything, please, feel free to ask.  You're free to pick which room you'd like."

I didn't wait for an answer as I made my way into my bedroom, ignoring the fact that my heart was beating harder than I've ever felt before.

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