Fated Read Online Free

by whatever name people called it, had always been one of her favorite nights. The gibbous moon hung low in the sky, tinged with a hint of orange from the flames dancing in the cool, October air. Patrick had been gone for two weeks and she missed him more than she thought possible. Ronnie had cajoled and pleaded until Sabrina finally agreed to go to a party instead of staying in and moping.
    "Ronnie, are you certain about this?"
    Ronnie looked over and nodded. "I am. We're going to the caves tonight."
    "But"—Sabrina chewed her lip—"what about curfew? Coach will kill me if I get suspended; we're nearly at the end of the season!"
    Ronnie sighed. "It's tradition, Sabrina. Trust me, we'll be fine!"
    Famous last words , Sabrina thought.
    "So, are you ready?"
    Sabrina stared at her reflection in the mirror. "Yes, I'm ready," she said.
    She wore a dark green, impeccably tailored, and most importantly, warm sweater especially when paired with a black corduroy skirt and knee high boots. Ronnie had tried to talk her into a skimpy top that she'd picked out, tighter fitting and a deep plum color, but Sabrina shook her head, reaching for the more sedate sweater. If she had to be outside, in the caves at a party, she would be warm and comfortable.
    Ronnie grinned. "This is going to be so great! No teachers, no annoying boyfriends…"
    "No, just bunches of horny boys," Sabrina said, interrupting her.
    "You say that like it's a bad thing," Ronnie said, winking.
    Sabrina burst out laughing as they walked into the common room of their dorm and out towards the hallway. Tucking her arm through Sabrina's, Ronnie led the way down the corridor towards the portrait of Llewellyn's founder, a crusty old farmer, surrounded by grazing sheep, and out the door to the path behind the sports fields.
    Tiny candles barely illuminated the rock strewn walkway. Sabrina stumbled more than once, cursing lightly under her breath when Ronnie relentlessly tugged her forward.
    "Come on, we're almost there," Ronnie whispered as they came up to a dark slash in the rock face.
    Sabrina loved the caves; she'd been drawn to them from the second she'd stepped onto the campus. It'd been one of the reasons she'd chosen to attend Llewellyn, despite its size and location. Something about the history buried deep within the limestone compelled and fascinated her. So much so, she found herself out here when the pressures of everything got to be too much. It calmed her like nothing else.
    Sabrina gripped her flashlight tightly when a hooded figure stepped out of the murky darkness and blocked their path. "Who goes there?"
    Ronnie stopped and giggled. "The heirs of Cernunnos," she said in a somber voice.
    Pale hands reached up, drawing the hood back to reveal a smirking boy holding up a flashlight. "Welcome ladies, to the Den of Inequity. Play tonight, for tomorrow you shall have to pay the penance for a life of debauchery."
    Ronnie sniggered quietly and Sabrina rolled her eyes. They walked past him into the cool darkness, their eyes slowly adjusting to the dim, flickering light of the hundreds of small candles. A slow, heavy thumping came from deeper in the caves and Ronnie grabbed Sabrina's hand, dragging her down the pathway.
    Someone shoved glasses of a green, smoking drink in their hands as they moved closer to the writhing and gyrating bodies deep in the center of the cave. The beat of the music pulsed, throbbing just beneath their skin. Sabrina felt free for the first time in what seemed like forever. She took a deep drink from her cup and lost herself in the rhythm.
    Her cup never seemed empty, the thick green liquid tasting like one of those all day suckers she'd had as a kid. The music thrummed, bodies pressed tightly against one another. She didn't pay much attention when a body moved against her from behind; the room had become so crowded, she found it impossible not to touch someone. Heavy hands closed around her hips, drawing her back against a warm, solid chest. She