Read Online The Hornbeam Tree by Susan Lewis - Free Book Online

Molly said. It was like, really hot in the room, but for some reason she kept shivering, and feeling afraid of forgetting her lines, even though she didn’t have very many.
    ‘Do you understand that if you break the rules you will be banished, never to return?’ Cecily asked.
    ‘I understand.’
    ‘Do you swear to put our Goddess before all others?’
    ‘I swear.’
    ‘She will be your one true mother now.’
    ‘My one true …’ Molly swallowed, ‘… mother,’ she finished.
    Cecily picked up a bottle. ‘Lie down, Molly Kiernan,’ she instructed.
    Obediently Molly unfolded her legs and lay back on the bed, arms at her sides. She felt like, dead embarrassed now, being the only one in her underwear, so she kept her eyes closed, and tried to pretend she was having a dream.
    Cecily held the bottle over her and poured. The oil was soft and cool as it pooled on to her skin. ‘Lilith has decreed that your heart and womb will be torn from your body if you betray us,’ she warned. ‘Your tongue will be cut from your throat, your eyes plucked from your head.’ She poured more oil on to Molly’s skin and began gently to massage it in, while Molly kept her doubts about Lilith to herself.
    ‘Do you swear you are a virgin?’ Cecily asked.
    ‘I swear,’ Molly responded.
    ‘Do you promise to lose your virginity as laid down by our rules?’
    ‘I promise.’
    ‘Open your legs, Molly Kiernan.’
    Feeling like, totally freaked out now, Molly parted her legs an inch.
    Donna stepped forward, hands clasped together as though in prayer.
    ‘I, Donna Ringwold, do honour your virginity,’ she said, bowing before Molly. She moved aside and Allison took her place.
    ‘I, Allison Fortescue-Bond, do honour your virginity,’ she echoed, bowing too.
    Cecily continued to massage. ‘Your virginity is honoured by us all,’ she told Molly. ‘There are six steps to be taken before you can lose it. Are you willing to take them?’
    ‘Yes,’ Molly answered.
    ‘Then recite now from the Oracle of Lilith.’
    Obediently Molly began to chant the words she had learned by heart.
    ‘“
I dance life for myself
,
    I am whole, I am complete
.
    I live my sexuality to please myself
    and pleasure others
.
    I express it as it needs to be expressed
,
    from the core of myself
.
    I am female, I am sexual, I am power
.”’
    ‘Now speak the name of the man you have chosen to take your virginity,’ Cecily said.
    A quiver of nerves stole Molly’s voice. She tried again. ‘Brad Jenkins,’ she whispered.
    ‘We call upon the great Goddess Lilith to hear Brad Jenkins,’ Cecily cried. There was a moment’s silence, then she said, ‘Our great Goddess hears and approves Brad Jenkins. Together with Lilith we will help you to achieve your goal. You are one of us now. Your desires are ours, your passions shall be fulfilled, your loves achieved. You will dress, think and speak according to our rules. You will follow the Six Steps. Get up Molly Kiernan and seal your solemn vows.’
    Molly got up and stood next to the bed.
    ‘You may dress now, except for your shoes,’ Cecily told her, eyeing Molly’s new trainers. ‘They are the token of our commitment to you, so in gratitude you will say a prayer of thanks to us, before putting them on.’
    When she was dressed Molly dropped to her knees, and putting her hands together she recited the prayer Cecily had given her to learn. ‘I thank you Daughters of Lilith for making me a member of your exclusive society. I honour and respect you. I promise to obey the rules, and I will always treasure this token of your commitment.’ As she finished, she picked up the trainers, feeling a tremor of pure pleasure, for they were sooo cool.
    The others applauded and Cecily put a hand on Molly’s head. ‘You are now a full member of the Daughters of Lilith,’ she declared, ‘which entitles you to all privileges our secret club offers, starting with …’ Her eyes were shining, her smile wide, as she threw back