I do not own any part of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. All of that greatness is the work of the amazing J R Ward.
As of 5-22-12 the wonderful GothicBelle has beta'ed this for me. Hopefully this is now easier to read.
I hope everyone enjoys.
Chapter Twenty Two
John rolled over reaching for his shellan, but she wasn't there. At first he was alarmed then he remembered she was with Rehv at the Colony. He rolled back over and relaxed into his pillow only to bolt straight up in bed. He wasn't alone. His bed was surrounded by dark figures.
Seven hooded figures. Three on either side of the bed and the largest was at the foot. As he started to speak John realized it was King Wrath.
In the Old Language Wrath said, "There is no going back from the question that shall be posed of you this night. You shall be given it only once, and your answer will stand for the rest of the life you lead. Are you prepared to be asked?"
This was impossible, he was too young. He hadn't done anything worthy of this. The Brotherhood. Holy fucking shit.
"Yes," he signed. He was shaking all over from fear, excitement, and nerves.
"He signed yes, my Lord," Tohr spoke for him. John thought his voice sounded as shaky as his hands.
"Then I shall say unto you now, Tehrror, son of Darius, will you join us?"
"Yes, I will join you," he signed and added, "This is the greatest honor of my life."
Tohr spoke for him again.
"Thank you, father."
The Brother closest to him handed him a black robe. As Wrath continued to speak, "Tender this to your skin, raising the hood unto your head. At all times, you shall say nothing unless spoken to. You shall keep your eyes on the ground. Your hands shall be clasped at the small of your back. Your bravery and the honor of your bloodline shall be measured in every action you take. You will be permitted to empty your body. Do it now."
John jumped to his feet and made his way to the bathroom. John stared at himself in the mirror.
'Holy fucking hell. I'm going to be a Brother,' he thought. He took a deep breath and hurried to do his business and dress. John left the bathroom with his head down and his hands behind his back as instructed. A hand landed on his shoulder.
"Come with us now," Wrath said.
The hand guided him out of his room, down the hall and stairs, and out of the mansion. He was sure it was Tohr leading him.
John was lead into V's Escalade. Some of the Brothers joined them. They rode in silence. John had spent several mornings walking these woods with Z, but still had no idea where they were headed. After a rough ride they stopped and exited the SUV.
John stepped to the side and kept his head down. He heard the Brothers moving about and was sure they were all here. After a minute the hand was back leading him once again. Soon the light on the ground disappeared and the smell of the earth be came stronger. John figured they had to be in a cave. They had traveled forty or fifty feet when they came to a stop. He heard the faint sound of metal on metal like a well kept gate opening. Then they moved forwards again. Slowly the light returned and the floor became smooth and glossy. It was as black as night, and John was sure it was marble.
They continued on a little farther before stopping once more. He could hear the Brothers shifting about, then the sound of fabric hitting the floor. He saw a robe drift to the floor beside him; the Brothers had shed their robes.
A hard hand clamped onto the back of his neck and Wrath growled into his ear, "You are unworthy to enter herein as you stand now. Nod your head."
John nodded.
"Say you are unworthy."
"I am unworthy," John soundlessly spoke the words as he signed.
Tohr spoke the words aloud for him. John heard a small tremble in his voice and was sure it was pride.
The Brothers shouted a protest in the Old Language.
Wrath spoke again, "Though you are not worthy, you desire to become such this night. Nod your head."
John nodded and took a deep breath.
"Say that you wish to become worthy."
John quickly moved his hands again and Tohr said, "I wish to become worthy."
This time the Brothers shouted their support.
Wrath continued, "There is only one way to become worthy and it is the right and proper way. Flesh of our flesh. Nod your head."
John nodded.
"Say that you wish to become flesh of our flesh."
"I wish to become flesh of your flesh."
A low chanting started. From the sound of things a line had formed in front of and behind him. The Brothers started swaying to the rhythm of the chant. John was bumped back and forth a few times before finding the rhythm himself. Then they were moving as one. It was amazing.
They moved forward swaying left and right to the chant. Suddenly the sound surrounded them. They had entered a vast space were every voice echoed.
Tohr's hand returned to his shoulder and he stopped as did the chanting. He was taken by the arm and lead forward.
Z whispered, "Stairs."
John stumble a bit on the stairs and when he reached the top Z positioned his body.
"Who proposes this male?" asked the Scribe Virgin.
"I, Zsadist, son of Ahgony, do."
"Who rejects this male?" She asked. John held his breath, knowing this was all too good to be true, but all was quiet to his relief.
The Scribe Virgin's voice increased in volume and filled the chamber. "Though it is no longer required to have my approval, I am honored the Brotherhood still called upon me. Tehrror, son of the Black Dagger Brother Darius, on the basis of the proposal made by Zsadist, son of Ahgony and brother of the Primale and acceptance by Wrath, son of Wrath, King of our glorious race and leader of the Brotherhood, I find this male before me, Tehrror, son of Darius, an appropriate nomination unto the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I am proud to see you brought before my chosen warriors. You may begin."
"Turn him. Unveil him," Wrath ordered.
Z turned him to face forward and removed his robe.
"Lift thine eyes."
John found he was standing on a platform behind an alter. He was in a massive cavern. Everything was black including the candles that lit the place. It was so beautiful that he could not process it all. He didn't have time to.
The Scribe Virgin was no longer there. The naked Brothers were lined up in front of the platform. Without clothes they seemed more impressive and dominating.
Wrath came forward and stood at the alter. "Step back against the wall and hold onto the pegs."
John did as he was told. Wrath brought up his hand and it was covered with an old silver glove. The glove had sharp barbs on the knuckles; he was holding a black dagger in it. Wrath cut his wrist deep and held it over the skull on the alter. John studied the skull just now seeing it for the first time. As he watched Wrath's blood drain into the skull he realized a cup was hidden inside.
"My flesh," Wrath said and licked his wound closed. He placed the dagger on the table and moved in front of John.
Wrath gave him a wicked smile and grabbed his face shoving his head to the side. Then he bit his neck hard and drank deep. He stepped back and smiled again. "Your flesh."
Wrath stepped back and punched John as hard as he could with his gloved hand. The barbs punctured him right were his birthmark was. Now his scar would mark him as a true Brother. Yet something told John this was only the beginning. He adjusted his grip and gritted his teeth as he watched Tohr take the glove from Wrath.
Tohr stepped to the alter and repeated the ritual. John was practically ecstatic when Tohr hit him even harder than the King.
Then came Rhage who proved himself the strongest Brother and Vishous that lived up to his name. The twins came next followed by Butch. John became a little nervous then. He was tired and growing weak and this would be Butch's first time.
He worried for nothing; the cop was flawless, even hit harder than V. He'd have to remember to tell him sometime.
Wrath moved forward again and lifted the skull high into the air. He faced the Brothers. "This is the first of us. Hail to him, the warrior who birthed the Brotherhood."
The Brothers let out a fierce war cry filling the cavern with their voices.
Wrath moved in front of him. "Drink and join us."
John brought the skull to his lips and drank swiftly. The blood of the Brothers was powerful. He realized that this was not just the blood of those that stood here, but was the blood of every Brother before him.
Wrath took the skull. "Step back and replace your hands on the pegs."
Wrath smiled at him wickedly again. 'Sometimes that male is seriously twisted,' John thought as he followed the instructions.
At first John just felt a slight burning in his gut. Then it was shooting through his whole body. Soon the pain overtook him and everything went black.
When John awoke he found himself face down on the floor. At least now he was sure it was marble. He rolled on to his back and caught sight of Z and Tohr; they were in their robes again. Tohr smiled at him then looked up past him. John followed his gaze. He saw a black marble wall. He stood and moved closer so that he could se the carvings. They were names. Names of all the Brothers back to the beginning. John carefully searched the last column. He ran his fingers over Darius and Tohrment's names. The male that brought him into the world and the male that had rescued him and loved him. Then he saw the last name, his name, Tehrror. Several things became very clear to him in that moment.
"I'm so proud of you," Tohr said handing him his robe.
John slipped his robe on and hugged Tohr. "Thank you, Father," he stepped away not wanting to make Tohr uncomfortable.
Wrath stepped forward again. "You shall be called the Black Dagger warrior Tehrror, son of Darius."
"I don't want to show any disrespect," John signed, "but about the name."
"Not to worry we can still call you John," Z said. "We still call the cop, Butch."
"It's no problem," Wrath tried to reassure him. "Tehrror is the name of a warrior. The name our race will call you, it will only be for the history books," he grinned.
"It's not that," John waited while Z translated. "Not to disrespect any of you or Darius's memory, but I'd rather not carry his name."
"What?" Several of the Brothers exclaimed.
"I want to be Tehrror, son of Tohrment."
"He is not your blooded father," Wrath stated.
"He is the only father I've known," John dropped his head in defeat. He had known it wouldn't be acceptable, but he needed his feelings to be known.
"I think Tehrror, son of Tohrment is perfect," the Scribe Virgin said.
John lifted his head; she was standing right in front of him. He was too stunned to do or say anything. She was looking right at him.
"If this is what he desires, then it shall be so. I know that I wronged you recently with my wrongful behavior in not attending your mating. It was shameful. I shall do this for you to make amends. You and your mate are an excellent pairing and I wish you well," she stepped forward and touched his cheek. "Darius is your past. Leave him there. Embrace Tohrment as he has been a true father to you. Embrace your future, your new life, my warrior."
She vanished.
"V, man, some times your mom rocks," Butch said breaking the silence.
Wrath spoke again, "You shall be called the Black Dagger warrior Tehrror, son of Tohrment."
This time the Brothers applauded him. John smiled as Tohr put his arm around his shoulders. There were tears in the older male's eyes. "I love you, son."
For John life was good.