[Chapter 61: The Letter of Allegiance]
Tanusha's face was filled with pure terror -- far worse than when Daniel had first exposed her identity earlier. She sobbed, "They can't find me, they just can't..."
Daniel's expression grew grim. From Tanusha's reaction, the Brotherhood of Saints was far more terrifying than he had dared imagine.
"Quiet," Daniel commanded firmly. "If you want to live, if you don't want to be caught and dragged back, then listen to me."
Tanusha nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'll listen, I'll listen... just please don't let them find me."
"How powerful is this Brotherhood of Saints you mentioned?" Daniel asked sharply.
Tanusha's voice trembled. "I don't know the full scale now, but when we escaped, they already had many key figures -- rich people, powerful officials. After all these years, their strength can only have grown."
Daniel pressed on, "Besides the Soul Transfer and curse techniques, what other powers do they wield?"
"They perform sacrifices to summon powerful forces," Tanusha explained quietly.
"Like the Consecrated Thrall you used before?"
"Yes," she nodded, "but what we summoned wasn't strong. We once saw them trap a Thrall with a lion, a tiger, and a black bear... and those animals ripped it apart."
Daniel inhaled sharply. To tear a lion, a tiger, and a bear to shreds with bare hands -- that was no ordinary strength.
He recalled those creatures barely flinched at bullets. Although heavy firepower might work, the organization was riddled with powerful players who wouldn't allow a chance to use it freely. They could simply call in heavier forces to crush their foes.
"Anything else?" Daniel asked.
"We haven't seen more," Tanusha admitted. "But... there could be."
It was clear to Daniel she wasn't lying. Their low rank in the Brotherhood meant they hadn't been exposed to the deeper horrors.
"How did you learn the Soul Transfer method and those curses?"
Tanusha hesitated. "We kidnapped one of their members and interrogated them slowly. Then we escaped... but ever since..."
Her body began trembling again. "They must never find me. They mustn't..."
Daniel leaned closer, intrigued. "What happens if they do find you?"
Before she could answer, she shivered violently. "They'll skin me alive. Use every torture they can think of. And when I'm close to death, they'll force my soul into an animal."
Even with mental preparation, Daniel was shaken by her words. The Brotherhood's cruelty was beyond harsh -- and their ability to transfer souls into animals was extraordinary.
...
After gathering more details from Tanusha -- this time without the restraining Soul Separation Seal -- she cooperated completely, revealing all she knew.
Daniel's understanding of the Brotherhood of Saints deepened. This was no ordinary cult. Their financial means, political influence, and supernatural power surpassed anything he had encountered.
Once he secured Tanusha with the bite guard again, Daniel left her room and joined Sheriff Ford and Douglas in a private reception area.
He had considered whether quietly eliminating Tanusha and her husband earlier might have prevented this mess.
But after thought, he realized it was unlikely.
Katherine was Douglas's daughter, a billionaire's heiress. Her death would spark enormous controversy. Anyone investigating closely would uncover some clues.
Without Douglas acting as a buffer, the Brotherhood would quickly turn on him, making things worse.
Seeing Daniel's troubled expression, Douglas asked, "Mr. Cross, how bad is it?"
"Much worse than I imagined," Daniel soberly replied. "The opposing forces are extremely powerful. We can't confront them head-on."
Douglas and Ford's faces hardened in alarm.
Douglas's voice took on an edge of anger. "I've built my empire from nothing -- I'm not someone to be pushed around. I also know some senators."
Daniel's tone was calm but firm. "Who's to say those senators aren't their people?"
Douglas and Ford were startled but had to admit the risk was real.
After all, the promise of Soul Transfer was a temptation few could resist: a new lease on life when death seemed near.
Ford muttered, "So... is there anyone we can trust?"
Douglas turned to Daniel. "Mr. Cross, do you have a plan?"
Daniel nodded. "Yes."
Douglas's eyes brightened. "What is it?"
"Buy time."
"Buy time?" both men exchanged confused looks.
"They want Tanusha, not Katherine. If we can switch their souls back and then hand Tanusha over, this could resolve everything."
Douglas's face lit up. "It boils down to the same goal as before."
"Exactly," Daniel said. "And whether those senators are on their payroll or not, they can help. If they're aligned with the cult, you use your connections to buy some slack. If not, you use pressure."
"That's a solid plan," Douglas said, clapping his hands. "How much time are we looking at?"
"The longer we stall, the better."
Douglas nodded. "I'll do whatever I can."
Daniel's gaze sharpened. "Douglas, even billionaires like you become targets. The cult might ask you to join."
Douglas looked stunned, but a thoughtful, almost tempted expression crossed his face.
'Who wouldn't want a shot at a second life?' the thought lingered.
"There's no such thing as a free lunch," Douglas said quietly. "Joining and gaining eligibility for Soul Transfer must come with a hefty price, right?"
"You're thinking clearly," Daniel answered. "Tanusha said joining requires a brutal ritual."
"What kind of ritual?" Douglas pressed.
Ford also leaned forward, eager to hear.
Daniel's voice was cold and steady. "They vary by person, but the minimum is this: you must kill a close relative and record the entire act as an initiation rite. It's called The Letter of Allegiance."
Both men's expressions changed drastically.
Daniel added, "That's not all."
"There's more?" They braced themselves.
"Billionaires have to hand over half their family assets to qualify for Soul Transfer. Those in power must deliver a major profitable task for the cult."
This time, Douglas and Ford showed less shock; they seemed capable of accepting these demands.
But Daniel's next words struck like a blow, twisting their faces once more.
*****
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