President's Daughter's Bodyguard-Chapter 91: Cult and Legend

Chapter 91: Cult and Legend

The wind rushed harder and carried dust from the distant dunes.

The girl clung desperately to Theo’s arm, shaking so violently that even Danielle had to give a few glances.

Theo knelt so he could look directly into the girl’s eyes. "Tell me everything," he ordered in a calm voice that still sounded like thunder.

The girl wiped her tears on her sleeve. "My sister... they took her two nights ago. Men dressed in white robes. They said she was chosen." Her voice cracked on the last word.

Danielle frowned. "Chosen for what?"

The girl’s lips trembled. "For the ceremony. The priests said the blood of the chosen bride must be clean... pure... untouched by darkness."

Danielle took a small step closer. "Why would they think she is a bride?"

The girl hesitated, and Theo noticed.

He grabbed her chin gently but carefully to keep her from looking away. His voice dropped lower. "You are leaving something out."

The girl’s fear grew deeper. She tried to shrink back, but Theo did not let her retreat. "Talk," he demanded. "Every second you hide the truth puts your sister closer to death."

Danielle placed a soft hand over Theo’s wrist. "Let her breathe. Fear can silence faster than pain."

Theo reluctantly loosened his grip, but his eyes remained glaring.

The girl sniffed and looked directly at Danielle this time. "They thought my sister... was you."

A gasp escaped Danielle’s mouth.

Even the wind paused for one horrified heartbeat.

Theo’s hands balled into fists. "Explain."

The girl swallowed. "They said the bride must be reborn from fire and suffering. They said she must have survived the death she deserved." The girl’s gaze fell on the golden chain across Danielle’s forehead. "They believed she would return marked by the stars."

Danielle lifted a hand to her own chest.

The bomb vest. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

"Hah...."

Theo’s voice turned quiet. "If they believed her sister was Danielle... why did they take the sister instead...and how did anyone know we were going to be here?"

The girl hesitated again.

Theo leaned forward. "Tell me."

"They... realised she was wrong," the girl whispered. "When she woke up she fought them. She screamed she was not the one they wanted." Tears slid fast down her cheeks. "So they punished her. They said the real bride is still out there."

Danielle’s hands shook against her dress.

Theo stood up slowly, towering over the girl. His rage was silent, the most terrifying version of him yet. "Who are these priests?"

The girl closed her eyes as if the answer itself was cursed. "They call themselves The Order of the Eternal Queen."

Danielle’s voice was barely a breath. "Queen?"

Theo turned to her and she could see his eyes darkening. "They think you are their queen."

Danielle stumbled back a step. "No... no I am nobody’s queen."

The girl hugged herself tightly. "They believe the Queen of Blood rises once in a generation. A woman whose death tried and failed. A woman whose heart belongs to fate." Her terrified eyes moved between the two of them. "They believe the man who loves her must be sacrificed so she can ascend."

Danielle felt her pulse slam against her ribs.

Theo went still.

Every muscle in his body tightened.

The girl continued through sobs. "They said your love gives you power. They said it must be cut from you so the prophecy can be completed."

Danielle stepped in front of Theo, as if shielding him from the idea. "They cannot take him. They will not take him. Not after everything."

Theo reached for her hand. She let him hold it this time.

"Where is your sister now?"

"I don’t know the exact place. Somewhere in the desert beyond the city. They move often to avoid the guards."

Theo inhaled through his teeth, thinking fast. "What did they tell you? Why are you here?"

"They told me," she whispered, "that if I found the real bride and brought her to them... they would spare my sister."

Danielle felt her blood turn to ice.

"So you came here to lead Danielle into a trap."

The girl crumbled to her knees. "I am sorry. I did not want to. I was desperate. They showed me what they would do to her if I failed." She covered her face. "But when I saw Danielle’s eyes... I could not do it anymore."

Theo stepped closer. "What do these priests look like? How do they travel? How many?"

"I only saw three. But I heard them speak of many more. They have horses black as night. And symbols of the crescent moon on their clothes. They always cover their faces under silver veils."

Danielle’s throat became very itchy.

It all sounded like something crazy and haunted.

"We will save your sister. But if you lie again, you will regret it."

The girl nodded fiercely. "I will help. I swear."

Danielle knelt beside her, touching her shoulder gently. "What is your real name?"

"Rana," she whispered. "My sister is Lira."

"We will not let them hurt her again."

After what felt like a few hours, Theo managed to send a signal to Frank.

When the strange girl fell asleep, Danielle wrapped her arms around Theo’s body.

"I don’t believe a single word..."

"I thought so, Bunny. You’re getting clever day by day."

"You knew it too?" Danielle raised her eyebrow.

"Of course...only Frank and his men knew that we were here, and they probably saw you on the livestream...easy to recognise when one looks like a fairy."

"Why are you-?"

"Bunny...this woman is lying, but I’ll need you to not get away from me ever for a second. Could you do that?"

"Yes...Theo...but..."

"No buts! I’m not risking again. I need to figure it out what the fuck is going on and get us a plane back to Germanya before it’s too late."

Danielle knew that escaping this was better than staying and figuring out what was going to happen, but there were so many strange things about this place and these people.

"Bunny?"

"Yes...?"

"Do you believe in human sacrifices?"