Thalia

It was time. It was actually time. My heart pounded in my chest as I sat on the bed beside Fiona, who was helping me curl my hair. Caesar had offered to have someone come down and do it for me, but I declined.

"Finished." Fiona announced. She didn't sound to happy about it. As I looked in the mirror beside me, I didn't feel happy either. In an hour or two, I could be placed in a life or death situation.

"I want to go home." Was all I said.

"Me too, Tal. More than anything. But we have to get through this first." Standing up from the bed with me, Fiona smoothed out her own simple black dress before motioning for me to follow her. "Let's go." She said simply.

With every step I took, I could practically hear my heart reverberating in my chest like some sort of sick clock.

A countdown to my demise.

Peter, Rhys, Corey, and Ricardo walked behind us silently. Leo was already in the room where the ceremony would take place and everyone else had stayed behind to watch after Fiona and I, though I doubt Fiona needed it so it was more likely that they stayed behind for me.

We came to a large door with two guards standing on either side of it. Without saying a word, they opened it for us to reveal a rather large flight of stairs down.

I balled my hands into fists at my sides before following Fiona down. The stairs were stone so every step I took was announced by a clacking noise.

What a nightmare this was. I felt as though I was practically being escorted to my death, and in a way, I was.

Finally, we came to another set of double doors. These were large and polished, despite being at the bottom of such a creepy stairwell. Fiona opened the doors herself and they opened almost immediately.

Caesar's forest green eyes lit up when he recognized us. "You've finally made it!" He grinned. He looked down at the expensive watch on his wrist. "With only two minutes to spare." His eyes met mine and he smirked. "You sure do take the term 'fashionably late' to a whole new level, doll." He teased. I said nothing.

"Whatever. Was all he said, "Come in." He stepped aside and made way for us to come in. The room was dark and lit only with the candles on the stone walls. In the front of the room sat a dark black throne. Beside it sat a large firepit that was lit and burning. Other than that, there was nothing else in the room. Jason stood beside Leo. The disgusted look in his eyes told me he wasn't over our little incident. I quickly turned my gaze away from his and to Leo's. He gave me a soft, almost reassuring smile. Deep down, though, I knew what he was thinking.

'Be prepared'.

"Just come over here by the throne and we'll begin." Caesar smiled, holding his hand out for me to take. Reluctantly, I paced my hand in his and he tugged me closer before leading me to the black throne.

"You must have a throne kink or something. I don't know of anyone who has not one, but two thrones in their house." I stated with a stone face.

"There you go again with the petty insults. Don't worry, doll. I won't get mad at you this time. It is a special occasion after all." He said, booping my nose. I scoffed at the action but didn't struggle against it. I knew better.

"Kneel." Caesar said simply. I kneeled at the foot of the throne and bowed my head as Caesar at down. Caesar crossed his legs and extended his hand to me. "Kiss my ring." He ordered.

Gritting my teeth and setting aside my disgust at his obvious enjoyment, I reached up to hold Caesars hand and gently kissed the diamond ring on his finger.

"You're so obedient today, doll. I love it." He snapped his finger and Leo instantly handed him a book.

"The mafia is not a game." Caesar began. "Its not a little street gang or anything. It's a brotherhood. Once you join, we're family. There's no escaping, no running away, nothing, once you're in, you're in until death. Understood?"

"Yes sir. I'm prepared for that life." I said, my head still bowed.

"Of course, you are." Caesar smirked. Jason walked forward with a single glass of what appeared to be red wine and handed it over to Caesar.

"Wine as red and as thick as the blood that runs through our veins. The term blood is thicker than water is something we take seriously here. Betrayal is met with execution. Disobedience is met with execution. Acting out of line is met with execution. One misstep, and the punishment is the taking of your life. Understood?" Caesar asked.

"Yes sir." I replied.

"Good." Caesar lifted my chin up so that I was facing him. He handed me the book. "We have one golden rule in the mafia. It is called the Code of Omerta. Our code of silence. Read it."

I looked down at the small leather-bound book in my hand. It looked simple enough. I opened it and began to read, "Whoever appeals to the law against his fellow man is either a fool or a coward. Whoever cannot take care of himself without police protection is both. It is cowardly to betray an offender to justice, even though his offenses be against yourself, as it is not to avenge an injury by violence. It is dastardly and contemptible in a wounded man to betray the name of his assailant, because if he recovers, he must naturally expect to take vengeance himself. A wounded man shall say to his assailant: If I live, I will kill you - If I die you are forgiven."

In one swift motion, Caesar took the book from me just as quickly as it was handed to me and grabbed my wrist. I jumped a bit at the sudden contact, but otherwise, didn't pull away. He pulled out a small silver knife and sliced the palm of my hand. The wound was quick and clean, but deep. I hissed in pain and used my free hand to hold my wrist as the blood pooled from my wound and dripped down my arm.

Caesar smirked at me. "How cute you are when you're hurting, doll. "He said as he sliced his own hand.

He held it out to me, and I looked up at him. "Take my hand." He stated. Slowly, I reached out to hold his had and our wounds pressed together, our blood merging together and pooling into one mass.

"My word is now law. He stated. You are no longer alone, and this is your family. The code of Omerta is now your lifeline. Break it once, and you will not live to correct your mistake. Understood?"

"Yes sir." I said staring into Caesar's eyes.

He smirked. "Good." He looked up at Leo and motioned to the firepit. "Since she's joining your mob, Leonardo, you do the honors."

Leo's eyes me mine for a split second and he nodded. "Oh, and Peter, come held me hold her down. I don't want her struggling through this part." Caesar added.

"What?" I asked. But no one answered. Instead, Caesar roughly grabbed my wrist, holding it firmly. Before I could protest, Peter grabbed my other wrist, holding it just as tight.

"It's okay." He reassured me. "It'll hurt for a moment, but then you'll be done." His soft brown orbs shone with concern which did nothing to alleviate my worry, but I remained quiet.

"You're about to get the Ronan mob symbol branded into your right shoulder. Caesar began. "This way, other mob syndicates know not to touch you and you can be identified in other's territories."

"Are you ready?" Leo asked.

I swallowed tickly and nodded, too afraid to use my voice in fear of how shaky it would probably come out.

Leo said nothing and, for a moment, I thought he was hesitating. Then I felt the pain.

It wasn't sharp like a needle point or a knife, it burned around my back worse than boiling water. Everything felt scolded and, moving or not, I was in more pain than I could have ever imagined was possible. A scream escaped my mouth, and I tried to pull away from Caesar and Peter's grips, but they remained firm. Peter said nothing and turned away as tears escaped my eyes. Caesar on the other hand laughed. "Wow! Pain looks so good on you!" He exclaimed between giggles.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Leo removed the brand and Caesar and Peter let me go. The pain of the burn remained, and Peter remained kneeling beside me, holding me close as I tried to ignore the senseless burning and throbbing that I was feeling in my shoulder and back.

"It's alright." He murmured. "You're fine now."

"Hurry and get that brand bandaged up." Caesar demanded. Peter helped me stand to my feet and I turned to see Caesar with his cheek delicately propped up with his hand and a smirk on his face. I scowled.

He enjoyed every second of that. Peter tightened his grip on me as he too glared at Caesar.

"Well then," Caesar began standing up. His smirk still present, "I suppose I should go and make sure the ballroom is in order while you all assist her."

He made eye contact with me and I could've sworn his eyes twinkled with excitement.

"Welcome to the mafia, doll."