Chapter 11 Engraved Invitations

INTERIOR

CLASSROOM HEARST COLLEGE

It had been more than a week since Veronica signed on the dotted line and agreed to become a member of the Castle. Veronica waited on pins and needles. Should she feel different? When was this initiation going to take place? Had they blown her off? Was she really going to be forced to strip to her underwear and expected to confess to her deepest darkest secrets?

With each passing day when nothing happened she began to wonder if Milkstein's prediction was coming to fruition. The Stipulations of Dismissal had been filed with the Court, effectively terminating the litigation and ending their leverage. Now that the Castle had gotten what it wanted, were they going to live up to their end of the bargain or were they going to break their promise and deny the existence of their secret society while continuing to bar participation by women? Had this all been for nothing and was Logan still in danger? She couldn't bear to think that might be true.

It was her last class of the day. Veronica was hired and looking forward to going home. Hopefully she could sneak in a nap on the couch in the office before finishing up her dad's filing. Tomorrow was Friday. She didn't have classes but she was supposed to appear in Court with Cliff to testify as an alibi witness. The defendant could not possibly have robbed the liquor store because at the time of the hold-up she saw him checking into the Camelot Motel with his mistress.

The professor, Senora Velasquez, droned on about the proper conjugation of a series of verbs. Although Veronica dutifully typed them into her laptop, she wasn't paying attention. It didn't matter. Growing up in Southern California and hanging out with Weevil, she could speak passable Spanglish.

At the end of the period, Veronica realized a classmate was trying to talk to her. She tried to shrug herself out of her own head. 'Earth to Mars, pay attention before you have to start explaining.' "I'm sorry, Corrine. I didn't hear you."

In an attempt to be more 'normal' Veronica had made an effort to get to know her classmates – the ones who didn't have kids at 17; who weren't spoiled 09ers or the Hollywood elite; who don't know anybody who was ever murdered; who weren't in outlaw biker gangs – just average college students. Corrine was one of those people.

The nice girl from the Midwest with the short dark hair smiled indulgently all the way up to her eyes. Veronica vaguely remembered what it was like to be that unaffected. "I asked you if you had any plans for this weekend." The two girls were walking out into the sunlight of the quad together.

"Nothing big. Helping my dad. Sleeping late. Maybe trying to catch a movie." Veronica thought that answer sounded like something your average college student did. Corrine didn't need to know that 'helping her dad' probably included staking out some seedy motel waiting to get that money shot that would prove some poor person's marriage really was over. In the back of her mind, Veronica heard Wallace's pronouncement from junior year labeling her the most boring person at Neptune High. Now she graduated to being the most boring person in college.

"Well I heard about this party off campus on Saturday. It's a few blocks from here. I have the address in my phone. The house is supposed to be to die for – right on the beach, pool, hot tub and a great ocean view." Being from North Dakota the idea of a swanky party on the beach in October was irresistible to Corrine.

"That's not my scene," Veronica tried to beg off.

"Work and study, that's no way to get through college," Corrine teased. "Plus since you're a commuter, I was kind of hoping you'd drive. I don't have a car."

Veronica chuckled softly. Selfish motives disguised as good intentions she could understand. She didn't remember the last time she went to a college party and she really couldn't remember the last time she went to one purely for fun. New school year. New friends. How bad could it be? "Okay. I'll pick you up at 9:00 in the commuter lot."

#~*~*~*~*~*~#

EXTERIOR QUAD

HEARST COLLEGE

As Veronica and Corrine continued chatting, they were approached by a knight in full armor riding a white horse. It was such a cliché, Veronica almost laughed in the guy's face.

"Ah, fair damsel," the knight bowed without dismounting. "I bid you greetings from my King."

"Your king?" Veronica didn't understand what this costumed fool was babbling about. Other students were starting to point and stare. She continued walking but he maneuvered the horse to block her path.

"Milady, I have been charged by my King to summon you to his castle."

With the mention of the word "castle" Veronica's full attention was riveted to the knight. Although it had taken her a moment, Veronica now understood the meaning of this elaborate invitation. When the knight reached out a gloved hand, Veronica readjusted her messenger bag to drape the strap across her body before grasping his arm and allowing him to help her mount the horse. Once atop the mighty beast, she settled herself behind the knight whose armor she discovered was made of lightweight aluminum, and wrapped her arms around his waist because there wasn't anything else to hold.

"How romantic!" squealed Corinne, envious that a knight in shining armor hadn't ridden up to sweep her off her feet. "You're so lucky!"

"That's me. The luckiest girl in the world," parroted Veronica. While this had all the hallmarks of a fairytale Veronica only saw the sinister side of the Castle. 'And so it begins,' she thought, wondering if she should make a quick cell phone call to someone just in case. She thought better of it and hoped should something go horribly wrong that Corrine would make a good witness. Then again, what had she seen? The guy's face was covered by his helmet and Veronica had willingly climbed onto the horse.

She had to give them points. A kidnapping in broad daylight on a crowded campus but nobody saw anything untoward; it actually looked romantic to any casual observer. All those witnesses and absolutely no concrete evidence.

"So, this is far cry from being stuffed in the trunk of a town car," Veronica observed as they moved away from Corrine who beamed dreamily at them as they set off.

"I know not of what thou speaks milady," the knight responded.

"Puh-lease," Veronica sighed, annoyed that her 'ride' was playing coy. "Quasi-abductions. Isn't that the Castle's standard M-O."

"Fair maiden, my King doth prefer that thee not trouble thy beautiful head with matters that are of no concern to thee."

"That's where you are mistaken. Everything about the Castle concerns me. Where are we going, anyway?"

"To another steed . . . a faster mythological beast, most likely of Merlin's conjecture," the knight replied. The answer didn't help the curious, skeptical girl.

Not getting a rational response regarding their destination, Veronica opened another area of inquiry. "So who are you? Captain of the football team? Son of a famous actor? Techno-nerd? What's your story?"

"I am but the humble servant of my King, sworn to everlasting fidelity pledged with my life to deliver the fair maiden to the safety of the Courtyard."

Before Veronica could further probe the drivel that was pouring from this guy's mouth, he stopped the horse next to a white limousine parked near the dean's office.

"Oh, not this again," Veronica complained.

"Thy steed awaits, Milady," the knight offered as he alighted from the horse to help her down. When her feet reached the ground, the knight walked over and opened the door of the luxury car. As Veronica approached, he pulled a silk scarf from under the tunic portion of his costume.

Veronica immediately knew what was coming and she didn't like it. "Oh, no. I'm not putting on a blindfold."

"The King ordained that thy beautiful eyes be blindfolded for thine own protection. The circumstances of the enchanting journey upon which thou art embarking are highly unconventional and fraught with peril. Secrecy is warranted, lest a neighboring kingdom seek to invade this province. Thy virtue must remain above all else and that cannot be assured unless thou knowest not where thou will fulfill thy destiny as had been preordained."

Veronica glared at him. She was already sick of this medieval nonsense and Old English pretense. "No blindfold."

"I beg thy indulgence, fair maiden. While I knowest not of such things, far above my station, my king obliged me to remind thee of thy sacred promise and vow to which thou art bound by all that is in heaven and on earth. Although thou art the fairest of maidens, thou must still subject thyself to thy king as doth all his other squires and worthy knights."

"Oh for Pete's sake." Veronica was exasperated but she grabbed the silk cloth out of the knight's hand and climbed into the limo, disentangling herself from her messenger bag after reassuring herself that old Sparky was still within her grasp. She took a bottle of water out of the ice bucket on the far side, and then laid it on the leather seat next to her, not bothering to wipe off the condensation. After winding the blindfold around her eyes, she uncapped the water and settled back against the seat, taking a long, cool drink.

When she was settled, the knight reminded her not to take off the blindfold. "Fair maiden, thou journeys under the protection of the King with all of Merlin's wizardry to protect thee on thy way. But be aware. There is a magical orb which sees all. The King will know if thou breaks thy word and doth uncover thy fair eyes. The spell will be broken and thou will be banished . . . and the kingdom and the prince will be lost forever."

"I get it," Veronica assured the knight. "There's a live feed video camera in the limo. I'll keep the blindfold on for this charade. Let's get on with this." Her words were far braver than the fear clutching her heart indicated. Veronica did not like giving up control. Why did she agree to this again? Oh yeah to protect Logan who was just threatened if she wasn't mistaken.

"God's speed, Milady," the knight wished her well as he kissed her hand. Closing the door, he stepped back. From the driver's side rearview mirror the operator confirmed that the knight and his horse were safely away from the car before pulling out. In an effort to disorient the lone passenger the limo began its methodical journey through Neptune, winding along the streets and doubling back to both waste time and prevent Veronica from possibly figuring out where she was being taken.

Around campus Wallace and twelve women were snatched from their routines when unidentified assailants covered their heads with black hoods and stuffed them into the trunks of cars. Just like the ritual Wallace endured last Spring, the new recruits were driven to a warehouse and instructed to enter individual rooms.

#*~*~*~*~*~*~*#

INTERIOR

CASTLE HQ

Upon arrival the new recruits were placed in small individual rooms with a folding chair and a video camera. They were told to strip to their underwear and don the shock collars. Although he had been through this before, Wallace was still unnerved. A different disembodied voice asked, "Mr. Fennel, do you have any secret recording devices on your person this time?"

"No," Wallace replied truthfully. He really didn't want to go through this confession and pain ritual again. He also had no idea why this group was so obsessed with stripping people to their skivvies. Why couldn't secret initiations be conducted fully dressed?

"We're glad you learned your lesson. Not many people get a second chance. Don't blow it," the disembodied voice instructed him. "Now, tell us again about Rashad and that night in Chicago."

Wallace recounted the details of the incident where his former teammate got drunk and ran down a homeless man. As he was talking he heard high pitched screams and feminine yelps from around him. A second voice reminded the participants that if they lied, their colleagues would be punished because they needed to learn to trust one another with everything; only by standing united together could they be truly successful. When Wallace finished his Chicago story he was asked to reveal the details of the evidence switch involving the surveillance tapes from the Sac – n - Pac and the tape of the sheriff's deputy receiving sexual favors in exchange for overlooking illegal activity at the Seventh Veil. He wondered just where these guys got their information.

After about 45 minutes worth of questions and a few mild jolts of electricity, the voice instructed Wallace to take the collar off, replace the black hood over his head and step out of the room without putting his clothes back on. When he did so, he knew there were other people in the hall but he didn't know how many. Strong, calloused, male hands clamped down on his shoulders.

"Walk this way," the owner of the hands commanded, physically directing Wallace to turn to his right and begin walking down a corridor.

#~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*#

EXTERIOR PARKING LOT

Veronica's limo had arrived a few minutes earlier. She was immediately on edge when the car stopped and was instantly aware that someone had climbed into the car with her. When he began speaking Veronica immediately recognized Jake's voice. "You have been tapped to be a member of an elite organization known as the Castle. Great knowledge and the potential to achieve your heart's desire will be offered to you. You have only to grasp what has been placed before you. You have been spared the normal rites of passage because we know you are intimately familiar with our codes and how our interlocking secrets combine to strengthen us all. If you fail to uphold your oath of loyalty to our sacred brotherhood certain videotape evidence proving that you committed felony burglary will be released to law enforcement and you will be banished from our midst forever."

Although Jake had intended his warning to be ominous, it only served to make Veronica laugh. "As long as you uphold your end of the bargain to reinstate my father as Sheriff and to keep Logan safe, I have no intention of outing you to the world."

Jake acted as if she hadn't spoken. "You will be escorted into a building. The ground is level and flat but someone will assist you. Take care not to stumble on our journey. Inside you will be allowed to remove your blindfold but then you will undress to your undergarments and place a hood over your head. From there you will be given further instructions."

Veronica ripped the blindfold from her eyes and scowled at Jake Kane. "What is this? Some sick way to get your jollies? Aaron defiling your daughter wasn't enough? Now you and your goons think you are gonna get a shot at me? I don't know what you are trying to pull but this was not part of our deal. I don't take my clothes off for anyone!" Veronica was shaking with rage. Never in a million years had she expected that she was being set up to be raped.

Jake was horrified at Veronica's allegations. He tried to soothe her and make her understand. "Shedding your worldly protections is part of the ritual. It's not sexual. No one will hurt you. How could you honestly think I would let somebody hurt you like that?"

Veronica remained unconvinced. If looks could kill, Jake Kane should have been six feet under in a matter of seconds. This was man who allowed his only daughter to have sex with a brutal child abuser who later bashed her head in. His indignation did not mollify Veronica in the slightest. Jake Kane's only concerns were money and prestige. People did not factor into that equation.

"It's symbolic. You strip off the old and we remake you into a true Castle member."

When Veronica didn't acquiesce Jake continued, "Think back Veronica. I'm sure Mr. Fennel shared his previous experience with you – he was stripped but because he was unfaithful he was never deemed worthy to be re-clothed in Castle garb. It's not about sex; I swear."

Veronica would not relent. "This is ridiculous. If one person touches me, I swear I'm going to kill you and every member of the Castle. You know I can do it and I won't leave any evidence."

Jake frowned. He believed her, but this had been the tradition for decades. It was based on ancient ritual – stripping the neophyte to have the man be reborn in the image of the creators. It took a man down to his essence and rebuilt him, making him stronger and more powerful along the way.

"This is the initiation ritual. We told you that when you signed on. The new recruits would be treated just like the prior initiates. We've all gone through this." He considered for a moment that since the Castle was now admitting women that they may have to rethink those portions of the ritual that involved nudity. In hindsight perhaps asking women to disrobe was different than forcing guys to strip. A life time of locker rooms dispelled most male modesty from an early age, but women were different. He made a mental note to bring up the issue at the next Trustee's Meeting but there was nothing he could do about it now. He just had to get Veronica to go along. She'd pushed this issue so far. He had to make her understand that if she could just get past this, he was offering her the world, something that he'd never be able to do for his own daughter. In a way, Veronica was his second chance. This was his opportunity to atone for all the mistakes he made with Lily. She had to do this – for all of their sakes.

"I'm not gonna dress up like some reject from the Renaissance fair or let a bunch of middle aged perverts get off looking at me," she spat disdainfully.

"It's not like that it. It's symbolic. I promise; nothing sexual will happen to you. Just put your blind fold back on and get out of the car. For once in your life try to be cooperative and do as you're told," Jake implored, reaching out to wrap the material around her eyes. She didn't protest.

Once he was sure the blindfold was in place, the elder Kane exited the limo and helped Veronica to do the same. Outside he passed her off to someone else who led her inside to a small room containing a folding chair. The same disembodied voice which had been directing the others' movements ordered Veronica to strip and don the hood. Reluctantly she shucked her clothes until she was left in a plain white bra and blue boy shorts. Veronica thanked her lucky stars that she hadn't worn a thong.