Make My Stepsister Mine

Chapter 21

The rest of the grim reapers step to the side to let us pass through the open door, but as we enter the next room, they don’t follow. The door closes and Sam is left alone with the five keepers of death.

“Shit!” Lex says. “They’re not playing fair.”

I cock my brow at her. “Since when do the guys ever play fair?”

She rolls her eyes. “Well, if Jax tries anything, he’s going to pay. And my payback is a bitch.”

“Is that so?” comes an evil voice from the dark corner. We turn and see three clowns creeping out of the shadows. Apparently, this room hasn’t changed.

The scariest-looking clown steps right up to Lex, only this time Jaxon isn’t holding a red balloon, he’s holding a rope.

“We both know your threats are empty, Lex. You’re too…weak.”

Lexie’s chin cocks up, defiance burning bright in her eyes. She unwraps herself from our hold and holds out her hands. “Then take me, you dirty bastard, and we’ll see exactly how weak I am.”

Jaxon begins wrapping the rope around her wrists, looking all too smug with his victory, but I think he’s about to realize he hasn’t won. Once he has her tied up, he leads her out of the room. The other clowns immediately step in front of the door they pass through and block our way.

I shake my head and turn toward my last two friends. “Should I make a run for it now, or are you two going to be stronger than that?”

Mercy shakes her head. “No one is taking me anywhere. Pinky swear.” She holds out her pinky and I shake it. Ava, on the other hand, doesn’t look so sure about promising me anything.

“I’m sorry, girls. I never even saw it coming the first time. Just please don’t be mad at me if they snatch me up again. I’m one small girl up against two big guys.”

I nod. She’s right. Out of all of us, she doesn’t stand a chance.

We walk into the next room and find a maze of mirrors that we have to walk through. The path is so narrow that it’s impossible to stay linked together, leaving us no choice but to hold hands. Mercy goes first and I get to stay in the middle. We’re making our way through when suddenly a shriek comes from behind me and then Ava’s hand is pulled from my grasp. I turn and see that she has literally vanished into thin air. Shit! How did they do that?

“It’s just us now,” Mercy sighs. “Which means he’ll be coming for me next.”

I squeeze her hand tighter. Good news is, she’s no longer vulnerable to Banner’s charms so maybe we’ll stand a chance. Yeah, right. Who am I kidding?

We enter the next room and find a priest waiting with a cross in hand. A priest I recognize. Mercy lets out a gasp and a shiver rocks through her.

“One of you has committed a great sin and must repent. Otherwise, you’ll never be allowed to leave.” Mercy swallows hard. Her hand growing sweaty within my grasp. “Now come child and kneel before me.”

She looks at me and I shake my head, trying to squeeze her tighter, but my efforts are useless. She shakes her head. “I’m sorry, Piper.” She tugs out of my grip and steps before the priest, dropping to her knees.

My very unholy friend casts me a look and gestures toward the door on the far wall. It’s time for me to go. I take one last glance at Mercy before I leave. She’s staring up at him like he’s heaven on earth, and he’s looking down with the same love in his eyes. It’s time for me to give them their privacy.

I walk through the doorway and find myself in the corridor with the elevator. This time, it’s open and empty.

I step onto the elevator and press the number two, fully expecting to descend to the basement again, but this time when the doors close, it starts going up. The elevator stops on the second floor, but the door remains closed. I try to push the button to force it open, but nothing happens.

“If you want to get off the elevator, my pretty little pussy cat, then all you have to do is say the magic word.”

I look up to the camera in the corner, knowing Cord is the mastermind calling the shots now.

“Please,” I say, batting my eyelashes, my stomach filling with flutters.

“That’s not the right word,” the looming voice states. “The right word is yes.” Suddenly, the door opens and Cord is kneeled before me, holding out a little

blackbox. Oh my God!

“Piper,” he says, his voice so thick with emotion. “I know you wanted to wait until after our graduation to get engaged, but I don’t want to wait anymore. Please, baby. Put me out of my misery and say you’ll marry me.”

The tears start running down my cheeks. I told Cord that I wanted to wait because I was scared to move too fast. Worried that he’d go off to college and find someone else, or that he’d grow out of love with me once the forbidden thrill of our relationship wore off. But over the last two years, he’s only proven that I am his one and only. The center of his universe. And every day, I’ve been praying that he’d ask me to marry him. Now, my wish has just come true.

“Yes, Cord.” I step off the elevator and wrap my arms around his neck. “I’ll marry you.”

He scoops me up off the floor and spins me around, giving me the best kiss of my life. When he finally releases me, he drops back down to his knees and then takes my hand in his, sliding the beautiful diamond ring onto my finger. I knew Cord was doing well with all his football endorsements, but the huge sparkly gem proves it. I hold my hand up and admire it. Even in the low light of the room, it sparkles.

“Now, my little kitty.” His voice has suddenly grown darker. “You have ten seconds to make a run for it because this demon is starving.”

Cord pulls a demon mask down over his head and I let out a squeal as I bolt past him, making a run for it. But just as to be expected, the monster catches me and devours me whole. And my resistance…becomes a lost soul to the Fright House.