Hidden Devotion (Trinity Masters #5)(38)
“To the subbasement.”
The elevator door opened and a long, wide marble hallway stretched out in front of them. Columns supported the high-arched ceiling, which mimicked the grand hallway above.
“Welcome to the home of the Trinity Masters.”
Franco’s footsteps echoed endlessly off the stone as he followed her into the belly of the beast.
“No one knows this is here?”
“Only members.”
“But surely the library staff realize?”
“The head of the library and many of the senior staff, as well as most of the board of trustees, are members. The Trinity Masters helped construct the library.”
Midway down the hall were openings in the walls, one to the right, another to the left. Juliette pointed to the left hall.
“Normally when you’re here, you need to wear a robe. Down here are changing rooms. The robes are inside.”
“Do I need to change now?”
“I’m not…maybe.” Juliette looked unsure. “Yes, you should. I’ll show you.” She guided him to an elegant, dark-wood door.
“What’s in the other hall?” he asked curiously.
“Private changing rooms, but those ones are connected to the medallion room. When people are called to the altar, that’s where they go.”
The main changing room looked like the kind of thing that would exist in a luxury spa. There were full-length lockers, padded benches and recessed lighting. An archway led to a tiled room full of private showers.
Each locker had a small plaque on the door with a measurement on it.
“What’s this?” He pointed to the number.
“Sadly, it’s nothing mysterious. It’s just the size of the robe inside. Sixty means sixty inches, which is the size robe you’d need.”
He opened the locker, whistling as he fingered the heavy velvet robe.
“I need to do something.” Juliette took the box he’d brought and stuffed it into the duffle, then hefted her bag back onto her shoulder as he stored his jacket and sweater. “You can leave your clothes on this time.”
“This time?”
“Some of the ceremonies require people to be naked, so usually everyone just strips before putting their robes on.”
“Naked. Right.”
“Don’t worry so much.”
“Worry? Me? I’m just in a super-secret underground temple-thing with a woman I’ve only known for a week.”
“Aw, now you’re hurting my feelings. It’s been nearly two weeks.”
“Considering how much has already happened I’m a bit scared to think what my life will be like in another two weeks.”
He’d meant it as a joke, but Juliette’s features creased with worry.
Robe hanging off his shoulders but not yet closed, Franco rubbed her arms. “I was kidding.”
“Are you really sure you want to do this?”
“What I said before, that I’d been waiting for you, for this…it’s true. I’m ready for this. Though I’m not sure what this is. What are we doing here? Is the Grand Master here?”
“Yes. That’s why we came. Sorry, I’m not great at this new member induction thing, since I didn’t go through it. Normally there would be a lot of hoops you’d need to jump through, and a mandatory waiting period, but you’re a special circumstance.”
With that Juliette slipped out, leaving Franco to practice not freaking out. When she returned she held a note-card sized envelope made of paper so thick it felt like fabric.
Francisco,
If you are ready to take your place among the members of the Trinity Masters join me in the altar room. If you choose not to join, you must never speak about the Trinity Masters again, nor wear your grandfather’s ring in public. Failure to maintain silence about us will result in repercussions.
Grand Master
“Yikes.”
“You can leave.”
“No…I want to stay.”
“Even after last night?”
“Especially after last night. I know things are complicated for you and Devon, but what we had, the three of us, felt special.”
“It was special.” She sighed and relaxed, smiling slightly. “Once you’re done, take the hall all the way to the end. There are three doors. Take the center one. That leads to the grand hall, which has the altar.”
“Altar? As in the sacrificial kind?”
“If you’re ready to join, it’s time to make it official.” She squeezed his hand. “I’ll see you when it’s over?”
After a week of waiting, he should have been ready for this moment, but it suddenly seemed to be happening way too fast. “What do I have to do?”
“Don’t worry, the Grand Master will tell you.”
Chapter Eleven
Francisco stood on one side of a large stone altar, trembling hands hidden under the sleeves of his robe. He was shivering from the cold. This far underground, with unforgiving stone rooms and high ceilings, the chill was creeping through his skin and settling in his bones.
Who was he kidding? It might be cold, but it was nerves that caused the tremor. He’d told Juliette he was ready, but it wasn’t until this moment that he truly accepted the gravity of what he was about to do.