My eyes fall to what looks to be a birdbath sitting in the middle with a small fire going, and my breathing picks up.
“Restrain him,” someone calls out.
I’m shoved face-first to the floor. My arms are yanked behind my back and handcuffed. I growl as I’m jerked back to a kneeling position. A belt is wrapped around my neck and is pulled from behind while a boot presses into my back right between my shoulder blades.
I bare my teeth, trying to breathe with what little air I have.
“Ryat Alexander Archer, you have completed all trials of initiation. Do you wish to proceed?”
“Yes, sir,” I manage to growl out.
He nods, placing his hands behind his back. “Remove his shirt.”
Another man comes up to me and cuts the collar of my shirt, then rips it down the center. He leaves it hanging off my s
