The Sacrifice (The Covenant) (9 page)

He let out a huge gasp of utter relief and leaned against the wall
, still holding her close to him. Sarah snuggled into his body and held him back tight, pressing her face against his.

He let out another massive moan of relief, mixed with amazement. “Wow. That felt… almost brand new in a strange way.”

Sarah’s heart clenched hard at hearing the grown Micah’s voice. “It did, didn’t it?”
He looked at her, and her tears fell.

“I didn’t hurt you did I?”

She shook her head and he kissed her softly. “You were going to clean me. I knew when you said that we wouldn’t get far.”

She giggled,
so very happy.

“Does this mean I don’t get to do sessions?”

The worry in his tone was so sweet. “You’re getting sessions young man. No getting out of that. You’ve been… such a bad boy.”

His grin disappeared at seeing her tears. “I hate when you cry.”

She shook her head. “Tears of joy. I promise.”

He kissed softly at her lips. “Good.
I don’t like seeing you sad. It hurts me.”

Chapter Eleven

Micah suddenly had an urge to have sessions in that second. But he wanted to be the doctor. There were things burning inside him he wanted to talk to her about. “I want to have sessions now. In our room.”

She held his face in her hands. “Okay, baby.”

His heart tugged at the endearing term. Then the memory of Shawn stroking her arm and the way she didn’t stop him, smashed the feeling to bits. He led her to their bedroom and locked the door. It was important to talk about it. Get it out. He took the stool from the vanity and put it in the middle of the room. “Sit there.”

She regarded him with wonder. “I’m having sessions?”

He undid his jeans, staring through the thin t-shirt she’d put on. “Yes.” He looked at her, an odd feeling hitting him until he wasn’t sure of himself. “Is that… okay?”

She nodded but the flash of hesitation
was noted. She was scared. Why would she be scared of him? His stomach clenched. He didn’t like her scared of him. Not her.

She sat on the stool
and met his gaze. A direct ready-or-not effort.

“Why would you be nervous, Sarah?”

She stared at him. “I’m… more curious.”

Micah sat on the bed, disturbed and feeling crushed
with her answer. “Why would you lie?”

“I
am
curious.”

“You’re also nervous. What would you have to be scared about?” He studied her closely.

“You said nervous, not scared.”

“What’s the difference?”

“A lot, Micah. I’m not afraid of you.”

He held her gaze, suddenly confused by that. “Why wouldn’t you be?” It suddenly made no sense whatsoever that she wasn’t afraid of him. He looked at her suspiciously. Was she pretending? Pretending to trust? Pretending to care? Pretending to love him?

She’d certainly lied. His sweet virgin. He’d not seen it. Never dreamed it.

What else was he not seeing?

He walked around her and stood at her back. Watching. She looked right and Micah felt the distrust in the act.

“You don’t trust me.” The statement was whispered, a silent observation.

“Yes I do.”

Micah tensed at hearing it. “You sound desperate.”

“
Micah! I do trust you, I was just…”

He slowly walked around till he stood before her. “You were just…”

She raised her gaze to him, struggling for confidence. “You’ve been through a lot in your life.”

He stared at her, trying to figure out what that was supposed to mean. “I have.”
He waited for her to elaborate. “I didn’t ask for any of it.”

“I know that,” she said softly. “The trauma you’ve been through… has… has consequences… sometimes.”

Micah stared at her, a sick feeling in his stomach. “What did Shawn tell you?”

She stilled with a look of confusion. “No. He didn’t.”

“He didn’t?” Micah watched her every expression carefully. “Are you sure?”

“What do you mean, am I
sure.”

He lowered to his knees before her so they were eye level. “I mean…” he placed his hands on her bare knees, looking between her legs at the white cotton covering her sex. He raised his gaze back up to hers. “Are you sure you’re not hiding something? Again?”

Fear leapt from her eyes and punched him in the gut. “It’s not what you think.”

Despair escaped him in a gasp. He closed his eyes, fighting to process his feelings while figuring out what was going through her mind.
“Just tell me what he fucking told you. Is it the murders? The way I murdered them? Is that it? I never pretended I was clean, Sarah, in fact, I made it pretty plain who I was once I confessed the truth.”

“No, it’s not that Micah.”

“Then
what,
Sarah! Did he try to kiss you again? He’s always fucking touching you and you…” Micah’s jaw hardened as he stared at her. “You just let him. Like you like it. Is that what you’re hiding? Your feelings for him?”

Micah could hardly stand to ask for fear of the answer. She shook her head rapidly. “No. I only want you, Micah, I only love you. You’re the only man that I want. I promise you.” Tears rolled down her cheeks with the desperately whispered words.

“Then
what are you scared of!
I see it! I smell it, I
taste it!
Don’t fucking lie to me!”

She held her hands out, wrists together. “Bind me. I’m not afraid. Do whatever you want to me.”

He stood and put his back to her, his heart racing, his arousal kicking in. “Not with real restraints.” He turned and met her tender, worried gaze. “How about I bind you with words.”

She held his gaze then slowly lowered her hands before uttering the heated words, “Do it. Bind me with your words.”

Micah’s excitement was getting to an unfamiliar point. Mixed with these new emotions, he flailed in the strange waters. Hot boiling waters. “Take off your shirt.”

She did as he said and Micah got naked and knelt before her. “Leave your panties on and open your legs wide.”
His words were firm but he didn’t feel an ounce of the strength.

She did as he said and Micah’s breath came quickly as his excitement built with his emotions; namely jealousy and anger. He even recognized fear. Not fighting it, he laid on the floor at her chair, his legs open,
his cock right below her. He watched her stare at him, her excitement making her breasts rise and fall. Her arousal took away his fear and he grabbed the base of his cock and began slowly jacking himself off while cupping his balls.

“I want to tell you what they did to me, Sarah. While you watch me feel good.”

Tears filled her eyes and she looked at him, a silent
please no
on her face.

Micah’s body shuddered and he opened his legs wider.
He wanted her to know what they did to him. And how it made him feel. “When I was seven, my mother did things to me and my father—”

“NO!” Sarah gasped
, shaking her head. “NO! I won’t.”

Micah’s cock ached with a vengeance at her reaction. “Yes,” he rasped. “Listen to what they did.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head more. “No. Just stop it! I won’t fucking do it.”

Micah sat up
at her vehement words, turmoil rocking him, fighting to understand his feelings. His mind said he should be pissed but a strange hunger and joy made him tingle. “You said you would let me bind you with words.”

She opened her eyes, a look of utter devastation
straining her face. “I can’t.” The words croaked. “I can’t hear it, I can’t, not while…” she shook her head.

“Not while I feel good?” He stroked her face. “That’s all my body knows, Sarah.
They raped it into me. Made me love it.”

She shook her head, vigorously. “I don’t care, I don’t care,” she wailed. “I won’t listen! I won’t!”

“So you lied.”

“Yes, I lied!” She stood and he looked up at her. “There are things I cannot do that you should never ask me
, Micah! Renouncing God…” she half wailed, wiping the tears falling, “and making me watch you hurt. I can’t. I would rather die!”

Her words made him desperate. Desperate for something he didn’t understand.
Micah snatched her hand and pulled her onto him, wrapping her in his limbs tight. She didn’t fight him, she only wailed weakly,
“Please don’t hurt, please, please. Don’t make me see you hurt.”

All those
strange emotions rushed into his chest like an avalanche. She grieved for
him.
He buried his mouth in her hair, straining against what that did. Her love ripped through the black cocoon around the dirty secrets of his heart and he couldn’t contain his sob. He couldn’t contain the words that haunted him. “They hurt me!”

Sarah wailed in his ear and he latched on to that love, desperate. “I’m so sorry,” she cried. “God, I’m so
sorry!
I love you!
I love you, Micah. More than my life!
”

The awful depth of her despair blasted through his heart like a battering ram. Just like when she’d slammed into him on that cliff to save his life, her love slammed into him, overwhelming
him, overtaking him, dragging him into a violent river of past horror. “Sarah!” He pressed his face in her neck and grabbed on to her, the pain making him wail. “They hurt me!” he sobbed, holding on tight. “Mom and dad hurt me!” Micah had never felt so terrified in his life. And never had he felt so safe.

Chapter Twelve

Micah turned at hearing footsteps. He smiled in relief at seeing Sarah shuffle into the kitchen, making her way to the table where he sat. His smile grew as she approached half asleep, wearing an adorable old fashioned white cotton gown. With her hair sticking up on the right side, she was angelic as she plopped down across from him at the little breakfast table next to the octagon shaped window.

“Morning.” She said it with her eyes closed in a soft sigh that made Micah need to touch her. He got up and slid in to the booth style seat
with her and she immediately collapsed into his chest like she were falling back into bed.

Micah chucked. “It is too early.” He held her in his embrace and let his hand devour the feel of her, stroking from her head, down as far as he could reach, then slowly back up.

Sarah wrapped her arms around him and snuggled her face into his chest. “Mmmmm.”

It was the sweetest sound Micah had ever heard. It said
God, yes,
and,
I missed you,
and
I love you.
“How did you sleep?”

This time she gave a sultry moan that spoke to Micah’s cock. “Amazing, thanks to you.” She readjusted her embrace tighter then went back to her sleepy moans. “Why are you up?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Are you okay?” The half worried words muffled in his chest.

“I’m fine.” He eyed the peaceful morning outside and the perfectly manicured half acre yard. Everything felt wrong. Inside and out. Like something was seriously… just wrong. “I was thinking,” Micah said.

“Tell me,” she muttered, not moving.

“We should move.” Micah fought to keep the alarm out of his voice, not wanting to scare her.

She lifted her head and stared at him, searching his face. “What’s wrong?”

Shit. He shook his head a little and wrapped his hand around the red ceramic mug that held his cold coffee. “I just… have a bad feeling.”

She pulled away more. “For how long?”

He gasped a laugh. “That’s a good question.”

“Worse than normal bad?”

“Yeah.” He rotated the cup in a circle on the table. “Worse than normal.” He took in a breath and she faced him completely.

“You should always tell me.” She placed a warm hand on his face. “I trust your instincts. We’ll do whatever you think we need to.” The relief coupled with love brought a huge sigh and she moaned in sympathy, kissing him. “We’ll tell Shawn—”

“No.” He took her hand in his. “Nobody. We tell
nobody.
”

She stared at him, and he hated the concern in her eyes. “Okay baby.” Her words were soft as she nodded. “Nobody. We’ll tell nobody.”

To see her implicit trust flooded him with joy and he pulled her into a tight embrace. “Can you pray for me?”

She pulled away and looked at him.

He shrugged and looked down. “Or… maybe you could teach me how?”

The light in her eyes and smile lit his world. “I’d love to baby.”

He grinned and nodded, angling a look at her. “Okay.”

“Now?”

Micah bit his lower lip. “You think?”

“Yes absolutely.”

“I mean maybe we should…” he shrugged a shoulder, feeling stupid. “Prepare.”

She looked at him, confused, making him feel even more inadequate. “There is nothing to prepare sweetheart. There is only the throne of God, waiting for your sweet presence.”

Micah’s heart and stomach jerked at those impossible words. He gasped a little. “I don’t know…” he shook his head. “Feels so wrong. Like… I could never be clean enough to be in His presence.”

“Oh no, no, no,” she whispered, tenderly, taking his hands. “You have
no idea
how long God has waited for this moment.”

Micah looked at her
, unable to hide his dumbfounded awe. “You really think so?”

“Put your hands together.” She sat forward and clasped her hands, ready to take him to the throne of God.

Micah copied her.

She nodded. “Very good. Just so you know, there is no special way to do this, you are free to do as you wish, but this is how I do it when I do it formally.”

He nodded. “I like formal for this.”

She lowered her head
and closed her eyes. “And then I pray.” She paused briefly and began. “Did you see Micah’s face when I walked in a while ago? He’s so beautiful God. Thank you so much for blessing me with the best man in all the world. I don’t know what I did to deserve him but
thank you God.
From the bottom of my heart.”

Micah struggled to breathe as she wiped tears from her face.

“Anyway, he’s worried right now. And he thinks we should leave but he’s unsure. Could you please give him wisdom Father? And strength. And let him know how very much we both love him? Thank you for everything you do, God. Please help us both to be strong in whatever comes our way. Please guide us. We love you.

“In Jesus name I pray. Amen.”

Micah covered his face with his hands to hide what that did to him. Fuck.

“That’s how I pray.” She stroked his arm. “Just like I’m talking to you. That’s how I talk to him. That’s all you have to do baby.” She kissed his shoulder and Micah pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face
in her neck.

“That was… so fucking beautiful
, Sarah.” He kissed her temple and cheek over and over. “I love you.”

“Get a room.”

Micah tensed at the sound of Tabitha’s voice. Sarah pushed to get out of his embrace and he refused her. One glance Tabitha’s way and he jerked his head back at glimpsing long sheer black. Probably nothing beneath it. He put his forehead to Sarah’s temple and whispered, “Un-fucking-believable.”

Sarah leaned to look but Micah
moved and blocked her view. Sarah finally managed to get a look and made a sound of disgust.

Micah put his mouth at her ear.
“She’s just putting on a show. Ignore her.”

Sarah pressed a hand to his cheek and turned into his mouth and kissed him. Really kissed him. Micah let his moan loose, a thrill shooting through him.

“Go get some fucking clothes on.” Micah turned his head at Shawn’s pissed voice, glad to see it aimed at Tabitha. “This isn’t a Victoria Secret fashion show.” He sauntered to the cabinet and got a coffee cup. “Kind of early for the love birds,” he mumbled, pouring coffee and setting the pot back with a clamor.

A thrill
tingled through Micah at the jealousy in the grumpy words. Or maybe it was Micah’s wishful thinking. Micah tensed as he strutted over with his perfectly ripped, scar-free, tanned torso and sat across from them, not caring if he were welcome. 

“How’s my baby girl feeling?” Shawn aimed his burnt chocolate gaze at
Sarah and lava slithered through his stomach at the endearing term.

“I’m very good.” Sarah smiled at Micah and his breath caught when her hand cupped his cock. “Micah knows how to make me forget everything.”

The joy that surged through him mixed with arousal and he pulled Sarah close to him. “So does she.” Beneath the table, he stealthily slid his hand up her gown until he encountered soft
wet
folds. No panties. Micah’s cock throbbed and she scratched her nails slowly over it. He put his face on her hair and closed his eyes, stifling a groan.

Shawn let out a snort and looked out the window. “Oh I’m sure she does.”

The implication infuriated him and Sarah opened her legs for more. “Micah is the real master here. An expert.”

Dear God. Was she really doing this?

“I imagine that he is. He’s been around the block in his… life.”

Micah slid his finger inside Sarah.

“Oh! Right!” she gasped and cleared her throat. “He’s had a hellish life.”

“Nice pun,” Shawn said
, sipping his coffee.

Micah flicked deep inside her, caught up in the thrill of their little secret beneath the table. A
n idea occurred to him as he allowed his thumb to masturbate her clit.

“Thank you!”
Sarah said too loudly, fanning her face. “Sorry, sudden… hot flash.”

Micah leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You’ve been having a lot of those lately. Are you feeling okay?” Perfect casual concern.

She swallowed. “I’m feeling…” she nodded and covered her face with both hands. “Just a little… hot.”

“Do you need to vomit?” Shawn eye
d his panting cousin with real concern.

“She’s always hot
, it seems.” Micah kept his pace perfect over her clit. “At least that’s what she tells me.” He kissed at her temple and angled his head to look at her, his other hand on her shoulder, rubbing in matched erotic circles.

She nodded with her hands over her face. “Yes. I am.” Her attempt at casual came in a high pitched squeak. The sound of a woman on the verge.

“Maybe another body massage?” Micah suggested, flicking her core.

“Oh God,
um, yes, yes.” She put her head down on the table. “That always helps.”

Micah waited for the cousin to figure it out.
Prayed he would. And then the moment came when his gaze narrowed. The priceless moment.

A vague
tink of glass came with the silent explosion of Shawn’s brain out the left side of his head. Shawn’s eyes rolled up and he toppled sideways as terror locked Micah’s body in timeless seconds before survival instincts kicked in. He yanked Sarah down and pushed her under the table. Micah pulled her cousin’s limp body from the booth seat to the floor, frantically searching him for a weapon.

Tabitha’s screamed ripped the air
then cut off midway.

“Move
, and I’ll torture her for seven days straight, brother
.
”

Micah froze
at the sound of Scythe’s cold words and slowly put his hands up, his body humming with a million reflexes. Micah’s heart lurched at seeing Agony storm forward and yank Sarah out from under the table by her hair. He couldn’t keep his hand from reaching for her, like his body needed to protect her even while his mind grappled for control. But there was nothing he could do. God, there was nothing he could do.

Chapter Thirteen

“What’s going to happen?” Sarah whispered to Micah. They had them chained back to back in one of the holding rooms beneath the renovated castle he’d called home for so many years.

Micah fought to unhinge his jaw to speak to her. Terror had him immobile. He needed to save her and he couldn’t. Panic ravaged his muscles and mind and he panted from the strain of not giving in to the raving lunatic clawing at his insides. “Sarah! Help me pray. Please!”
The beg came out broken and desperate.

“Okay
okay,” she whispered, squeezing his hands tightly behind her.

Micah fought not to sob, fought to hold back the avalanche inside him.

“How about we-we pray the Lord’s prayer, okay?” Her tone said she was aware of how close he was to the edge and she was being strong for him. The idea burned, her love always fucking burned him that way.

Micah growled through the sobs choking him.
“I don’t fucking know it.”

“Breathe baby. Listen to me. If this is how we die, then so be it. I’m going to die without fear, without regret. No regret Micah!
”

Grief and agony ravaged Micah until he could only weep with a silent bitterness.

Do you fucking hear me!” Sarah screamed.

He nodded, eyes clenched tight and roared his answer. “Yes! Yes I fucking hear you. Pray with me Sarah, I don’t want you to die, fuck! Pray to your
God
to save you.”

“I don’t want to be saved without you!” she screamed back. “We’re in this together. If you die I’m going with you, we’re
one flesh
Micah, you are part of me don’t you fucking take that from me!” Her final words came through childlike wailing that demanded Micah’s strength and sanity.

Her protector. Her husband. She needed him. Micah struggled to focus his mind.

“Our Father… who art in Heaven… Hallowed be Thy Name.”

M
icah listened to the words, etching them into his mind like a combination lock to freedom.

“Thy kingdom come… Thy Will be done… on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

When there were no more words, Micah gasped, “Again.”

This time he prayed with her and when they reached the end,
Micah sobbed, “Again!”

The doors of their cell opened up and the Hell Hound escorts came in large number. Micah waited and watched for the opportunity as they
loaded them into separate sacrificial carrying cages. A Hell Hound unlocked their linking chains and Micah fought with roaring screams as a handful of them crammed him into his pen. “Help me God! Fucking help me!” he screamed. Surely he would. For His Sarah. His faithful Sarah.