by Gerri Hill
“We will have the ceremony at eight. Afterward, you will be presented with your new robe. You will stay here with Antel tonight and not return to the school,” she instructed. “You will have to miss a few days, perhaps a week.”
“Yes. Thank you, Mother. I’ll be ready.”
“I know you will, child. You have always been ready when I’ve needed you. Now, go. I’ve already sent word to your mother. She will prepare your bath.”
Fiona made the trip back through the tunnels much slower than before. She paused at a junction, her gaze traveling down the corridor that would take her to the chambers...and beyond that, the deep, dark caves. Tonight, the flock would gather to watch the coupling. She had witnessed five couplings herself. She remembered the fear she felt at the first one. She’d been young and didn’t understand. As she got older, the fear turned to arousal. Now, it was finally her turn.
***
Paige took her time in the shower, mainly because she still wasn’t sure of her reaction to the afternoon. She had no illusions to the roles they were playing. Or at least she didn’t think she had. When in public, they would pretend to be lovers. She was prepared for that. What she wasn’t prepared for was the hand holding, the touching. The kiss.
She stuck her face in the water, wanting to be angry with CJ. Paige thought they were being convincing enough. Did CJ have to kiss her? Granted, it was quick and nearly closed mouth. In fact, it could have been considered almost chaste. Almost.
If not for the fact that—to her horror—she wasn’t sure which of them started the kiss. Thankfully CJ had pulled away, had averted her eyes. Paige, however, was acutely aware of how her pulse had raced from the contact. She thought she’d forgotten about their night together, but apparently her body had not.
So yes, she wanted to be angry with CJ. She supposed CJ thought she would be angry too. As soon as they had left the party, CJ had dropped her hand and they’d walked home in silence. CJ had shut her out by putting in her earbuds and listening to music. Paige had retreated to the shower.
Despite it all, she couldn’t help but smile as she recalled CJ’s tale of how they met. God, it’s a wonder she was able to play along, seeing as how they were making it up as they went. At one point, as CJ was about to launch into yet another story, Paige had clamped her mouth shut, covering it with her hand. This led to a quick brush of CJ’s tongue against her palm, causing her to drop her hand. They had both laughed, and it had seemed natural, even to her, to lean in for the kiss. Before her mind caught up with her body, the kiss was over.
Well, maybe they just needed some ground rules. Holding hands? Okay. Occasional touching? Only if necessary. Kissing? Definitely not. There should be no reason for them to kiss in public. None.
Now with a purpose, she quickly finished her shower and dressed, finding CJ in the same position as she’d left her—sitting on the sofa, bobbing her head to the music she heard. Paige walked over, yanking the earbuds from her ears.
“We should talk.”
“Why?”
“Why? I think you know why,” she said, noting that CJ wouldn’t meet her gaze. “Let’s go over some do’s and don’ts,” she said.
CJ rolled her eyes. “Seriously? It was barely a kiss,” she said. “And it seemed like the right thing to do at the time.”
“Yes, it did,” she conceded. Crap. “I would just prefer to keep things as simple as possible. It would be odd if we didn’t hold hands or...or touch occasionally. But I don’t see the need for... kissing.”
CJ looked at her then, an evil twinkle in her eyes. “Why? Afraid you might like it?”
Paige forced a laugh. “I assure you, no. You’re not my type. In the least,” she added. As soon as the words were out, she knew they were a mistake.
“Really? I recall a night about six months ago that begs to differ,” CJ said. “I seemed to be your type that night.”
“Yes, well, an aberration, for sure,” she said, as if that was excuse enough. “We both saw how well that turned out.”
“Well, if it makes you feel any better, you’re not my type either. This is as uncomfortable for me as it is for you.”
Paige had to bite her lip to keep from replying. Actually, she had to turn away to keep the words from tumbling out. CJ promptly put her earbuds back in, and Paige went into the bedroom with a slam of the door, dragging out her laptop to check e-mail.
“Right,” she finally murmured. “As if CJ Johnston has a type. Any woman with a pulse would do.”
Of course, she was being ridiculous. She had no clue who CJ’s type was really. She’d never seen her out socially and made it a point not to listen when the guys quizzed CJ about her dates. She simply wasn’t interested.
***
“I’m scared.”
Fiona’s mother smiled reassuringly. “It’ll be fine. You should feel honored Mother Hogan chose you.”
“Yes, I know.” She took a deep breath. “Will it hurt?”
“You’ve witnessed couplings, Fiona. What do you think?”
Yes. And she also had a bachelor’s degree in science. Nonetheless, this was still a foreign concept. When she went away to college, all the other girls would talk about sex and guys. She had nothing to contribute. It was the closest she’d come to forsaking the flock, to disobeying Mother Hogan. She was exposed to so many things, so many things that were not allowed in Hoganville. But in the end, she remained faithful. She knew she could still be culled. Her place was in Hoganville, not out there. She was glad she hadn’t succumbed to the outside. Mother Hogan had warned her and she had heeded that warning.
“I suppose I’m ready,” she said, letting her mother tie the robe at her neck, then put the hood over her head.
“I must join the others. Belden will lead you.”
Fiona nodded, taking several deep breaths before following her mother down the stairs. Belden was waiting, and she could see the excitement on his face. Couplings in the chamber only happened a few times each year. Recently, those times occurred less and less as the flock grew older and older. Once you wore the black robe, however, couplings in private were allowed, as long as it did not produce a child. Mother Hogan was the only one who could sanction a new birth in the flock. Fiona felt honored that she was chosen. If she bore a daughter, then the Hogan bloodline would continue. When she was of age, her daughter would then move into the estate and live with Mother Hogan. She would be next in line. That thought made her heart swell. Her own daughter could someday lead the flock.
“You look beautiful, Fiona.”
“Thank you. I’m nervous,” she admitted.
“Mother Hogan favors you. Do not be nervous.”
Easier said than done, but she kept that thought to herself. Antel Hogan was a big man, much older than herself. Older, even, than her own mother. As far as she knew, Antel Hogan and her mother had only joined the one time, that in the same chamber she was being led to now.
She was trembling with fear, with anticipation. They were all there, dozens of black robes with only one remaining white robe. Mother Hogan was standing near the sacrificial altar, her deep purple robe appearing almost black in the dark chamber, which was lit only by a handful of torches. Antel Hogan stood to her left, his hood covering his gray head, only his face visible.
Fiona paused, accepting the inevitable, yet clinging to a long- ago dream—when she had dared to dream. She had no reference as to what to expect from her life other than what she saw in Hoganville. There were no marriages. They were not needed. But she had a glimpse of another life and only then did she dare to dream of falling in love, of finding a young man to marry, to bond with. But it was just a dream. She stood now before Antel Hogan, about to give him her innocence at thirty-one years of age. The same man who had taken her mother’s virtue as well.
Mother Hogan held out her hand, beckoning her to come closer. In her other hand was the potion she was to drink. Fiona took the final steps, her gaze landing on that of Antel Hogan’s. She was afraid.
>
She was suddenly very afraid.
***
“Our neighbor is not home yet,” CJ said as she sauntered into the bedroom at ten. At Paige’s raised eyebrows, she added, “Fiona.”
“Maybe she stayed in Hoganville,” Paige said, closing her laptop.
“I suppose. I was looking forward to meeting her, though.”
“Why? You think she might have horns or something?”
CJ laughed, turning her back to Paige and pulling her shirt over her head, leaving herself naked from the waist up.
“Must you? Really?”
“Just getting ready for bed. Don’t look if it bothers you,” she said, smiling as she heard Paige leave the room and slam the door. She shouldn’t tease so, she knew. Not if they expected to make it through this assignment without getting a divorce.
Of course, they had to do other things as well. Like get a TV. With Paige holed up in the bedroom, CJ had stayed in the living room, her only entertainment was the music on her phone. It would be much easier if they could get along for an extended period of time. She really didn’t think the kiss was overdoing it. In fact, they had been so playful with each other, it would have seemed odd not to kiss in that particular moment. And if she really thought about it, she could almost say Paige was the one to initiate it.
“Was barely a kiss anyway,” she muttered as she climbed under the covers, tugging at the sleep shirt she was not used to wearing. God, how many months of this?
“Are you decent?” Paige called.
CJ grinned. “I’m always decent, baby.” She could picture Paige rolling her eyes.
Paige stood at the door, hands on her hips. “I think you’re enjoying this way too much.”
“On the contrary. I’d much rather be back in Houston with the guys. You’re a little...uptight.”
Paige glared at her. “Uptight? Me?”
“It was barely a kiss.”
“Jesus, are we back to that again?” she asked as she jerked back the covers on her side of the bed.
“Isn’t that what’s got your panties in a wad?”
Paige took a deep breath, then pursed her lips. “Goodnight, CJ,” she said. “Please turn out the lamp and stay on your side of the bed.”
“God, this is going to be a long assignment,” CJ murmured.
“Tell me about it.”
CJ punched at her pillow, trying to get comfortable. She smiled devilishly as she slid her foot across Paige’s imaginary line. She was rewarded with a swift kick to her calf. She couldn’t contain her laughter.
“You’re such a child,” Paige muttered.
CJ sighed and closed her eyes, willing sleep to come. She tried to ignore the warm body only a few feet from her. Just as she was dozing off, a sharp, piercing scream shattered the quiet around their little house. They both jerked up, barely breathing, as Paige gripped her arm tightly.
“What the hell was that?” CJ whispered.
“I have no idea. What do you think it was?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a coyote?”
Paige cocked her head. “Do you even know what a coyote sounds like?”
“Hell, I’m a city girl. So maybe it was like a cougar or something,” she said.
“Do they have cougars out here?”
CJ shrugged, then jumped as the scream was heard again, this time a little farther away. “It sounds like it’s hunting.”
“It?”
“Let’s go with cougar,” she said as she settled down again. She was thankful Paige did not remove her hand.
CHAPTER TEN
Paige felt a little nervous and just a twinge of anxiety when she dressed for her first school day. Of the two of them, CJ would have made a much better gym teacher. Of course, CJ made a much better cop too, she thought, as she spied her tucking in her uniform shirt. Well, maybe not a better cop, but she certainly looked better in a uniform than Paige did.
“I saw you looking, quit pretending you’re not,” CJ said with her normal arrogance.
“I was not looking,” Paige said. “I just happened to glance over and see you.” She rolled her eyes. “God, she’s so full of herself,” she muttered.
CJ laughed but made no further comment. “You ready for coffee, dear?”
“Yes, please.” She was thankful she’d insisted on packing her gourmet coffee from home. The grocery store they’d shopped at was sorely lacking and had only a limited variety.
“This is pretty good,” CJ said. “What is it?” she asked as she handed Paige her cup.
“Guatemala Antigua. Medium roast,” she said, closing her eyes, savoring the first sip. “I always taste just a tiny hint of chocolate in that first sip,” she said. “You?”
CJ shook her head. “Not really.”
“No, I suppose not. You’ve already killed the flavor with sugar and cream.”
CJ laughed good-naturedly. “You should know, since you bring me coffee all the time.”
“Well, what we serve in the office, I wouldn’t exactly call coffee,” she said, not caring in the least that she sounded aristocratic. There was a distinct difference between well-blended gourmet coffee and the cheap, low-grade coffee that made its way to their office.
CJ stood back, eyeing her. “Are you going to manage this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Off-the-rack clothes,” she said.
Paige looked down at herself. “These aren’t exactly off-the-rack,” she said. “They are made to appear that way.”
CJ lifted a corner of her mouth. “Okay, so if they’re made to appear that way, why don’t you just buy the real thing? It’d be a hell of a lot cheaper.”
“Obviously, you don’t see the point.”
“Obviously, you don’t either.”
Paige sighed. “Okay. Perhaps I should scope out the other teachers, see what they wear,” she said. “And then we can plan a shopping trip.”
“Oh no. Don’t lump me in with we and shopping,” CJ said. “At least not clothes shopping. I’d rather go to the dentist.”
Paige smiled. “That’s not really a surprise. I’ve seen how you dress.”
“Good. So you won’t have to try to change me when we get into our golden years.”
Paige couldn’t contain her laughter—it bubbled out before she could stop it. CJ’s eyes were dancing with amusement and Paige just went with the moment, enjoying CJ’s playfulness this morning. Oh, maybe she did need to lighten up.
“You know, I think you’re making a big deal out of this anyway,” CJ continued. “I mean, you’re a gym teacher. My gym teachers wore workout gear. Maybe you could get some short shorts or maybe some tights and a sports bra setup. That’d be really hot,” she said with a grin.
“I so do not see that happening,” she said, still smiling.
But later, as they were parked in front of the admin building, her smile vanished and she gave CJ a threatening look.
“Don’t even think about it,” she warned.
“Look, let’s just make it quick, then I’m gone.”
“I don’t believe that it’s necessary.”
“You don’t think everyone is watching the new teacher? Do you want to pull this off or not?”
Paige stared at her. “This is not necessary. You’re doing this just to piss me off.”
CJ grinned. “Well, that too. This is the worst assignment I’ve ever had.” She leaned closer. “So humor me. Kiss me and get it over with.”
Paige’s gaze dropped to her lips, then back to her eyes. “Didn’t we just have this discussion last night?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“And I never concurred with your line of thinking.” CJ smiled and it was almost a sweet smile, Paige noted. “We’re in love. Now kiss me goodbye and go start your day, honey.”
Paige relented. She was making far too big a deal out of it anyway. She closed the distance between them, touching her lips to CJ’s. To her horror, she felt them linger there. She pulled back quic
kly, unable to meet her eyes.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
Paige cleared her throat, then opened the door. “Don’t shoot anyone today,” she said dryly as she slammed the door behind her.
She took a deep breath, making her way to the administration building where she was to meet Gayla Grumfeld. She was ten minutes early but was pleasantly surprised to find Gayla waiting for her in the lobby.
“I was hoping you’d be early,” the older woman greeted her. “I’m Gayla. You are Paige, right?”
“Yes. Nice to meet you,” Paige said, extending her hand.
“I’m afraid the whole tour will have to wait for another day, but I do have time to go over the position somewhat. Fiona Hogan called in sick this morning,” Gayla said as she began walking down the hall. “Very unusual for her, but I’ll have to cover her classes,” she explained.
“I hope it’s nothing serious,” Paige said.
“Don’t know. There was only a message left very early this morning.” She held the door open, motioning Paige to go first. “We call this the breezeway, even though it’s enclosed,” Gayla said. “This links the admin building to the classrooms. There is another one on the other side of campus that links to the dorms and cafeteria. The students are allowed outside—supervised sessions—twice a day. Those who get good marks for behavior get some hours out alone on the weekends. They can go as far as the lake and the hike and bike trail. Everything else is off limits,” she explained.
The long corridor had windows on both sides. On one side, there was a view of the parking lot and beyond that, the small lake. On the other side was a small courtyard with tables and chairs, a few of them occupied.
“The courtyard is for staff mainly. Some of us use it for breakfast and lunch. The only times students are allowed to use it is on visitation days when they can sit with their parents.”
“How many students?” Paige asked.
“We can house up to two hundred. Currently we have one fifty-eight,” Gayla said. “Has Director Avery explained the color codes?”