The Rings of Fire: The Renegades

By Samuel O. Kuye

Aaron and Bola have fallen in love. Bola is from the clan of the rings of fire. The first love of the order of the rings belongs to the spirits. He or she must be sacrificed.

Aaron doesn't care about his life, but Bola couldn't agree to let him be sacrificed. Becky is a colleague who also, like Chioma, has fallen for Aaron. Tundun, also of the rings will fight to win Aaron's heart.

Tundun's father, the Abore, priest of the order of the rings will do everything to help his daughter because he loves to have a city good man as his son-in-law.

'The Rings of Fire' is a book of sacrilege, betrayals, fate, faith, fire, rings, fighting, myth, action, initiation, memory wiped, prayers, incantations, jealousy, romance, twist and... suspense.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publiseer Publishing
• Release date: Feb 16, 2018

Book preview

CRIED

CHAPTER 1: WE CAN’T DO THIS

‘‘This nuptial holding off ... for how long?’’ the look on Aaron’s face, the vibration of his hand and the loud sound that Bola heard when he slapped his laps palled all hopes and courage that she had in him. But she couldn’t just afford to seem selfish and arrogant.

‘‘Nil desperandum, Aaron!’’ she said. And she moved closer to him. ‘‘I told you we just must wait. That’s how it’s done. This is Sunday night. I’m sure you taught Sunday school in the morning at church. Just wait."

‘‘Not these days anymore,’’ he said with his eyes wide open. ‘‘Well, that’s how it should be, said Bola with a voice begging for understanding. That’s how ... for me ... for us. Please!’’ She wanted to sit beside him to tame the fire of passion in his heart and quell the spell of androgen in his blood. But he just stood up, impatient and now, louder. ‘‘You’re right. That’s how it’d be for us. I’ll not trouble you anymore but I’ll relieve myself as necessary while waiting.’’

‘‘What’s wrong with you? Isn’t your name Aaron? That’s a godly priest’s name.’’

‘‘And so what, Bola?’’ Tell me! Bola, what has my name got to do with what I want or do.’’

She closed her eyes and was about to cry. She had tried to make him realise how sex before marriage was discouraged in the church. At first Aaron had cooperated with her on the vow. He’s very pious. He’s very meek. He always told her there’s no problem. Then one day, both of them got drunk. Aaron then asked her to give him a chance. He said he just lost about a million naira. His friend used the money for business. The business failed and his friend committed suicide. He’d later confess that he lied about losing someone and losing money. But that day Aaron looked perfectly very dejected. That’s what led them to drinking. And drinking controlled them almost into congress. He grabbed her by the waist and started to kiss her. She’s still. And then she began to twirl. Aaron unbuttoned her shirt and was about to bend low when she pulled away from him. No! Stop! We can’t do this. It’s very wrong. Aaron, you know we cannot do this. You know. Aaron nodded though his mind was intense for passion. The following day, he visited her to be sure she’s not angry. She thought Aaron wouldn’t try to do anything with her again. But he tried to. He argued that religion wasn’t an excuse. He’s going to marry her. In fact we’re already married, Aaron lectured her that they should not think God’s against their passion. We had promised to marry each other, he added. She argued that it’s all wrong. She didn’t know much about church principles but she’s certain that until all vows are completed sex is considered a sin. She begged him to control his emotion. When he refused to reason with her that day she told him there’s another problem. There’s a family thing that forbids this act. That’s why I can’t. It’s dangerous. Aaron was shocked. He never believed there’s any family problem with a beautiful girl. As beautiful as you are? A family thing? he asked. Yes, a family rite, she replied. My God! Aaron exclaimed putting his hands on his head. What have I gotten myself into? I never thought you’re carrying a kind of a spell or cause. She’s hurt but she didn’t get angry. Aaron, I’m not cursed. Don’t say that to me. it hurts.

He needed explanations because he’d become frightened off. She explained everything to him and he promised to stand loyal to her. He’d help her overcome every family restriction and help her get freedom. He thanked her for being sincere with him but noted that it’s too late. You kept this secret from me, Bola. Thank you for telling me only when it’s late.

I’m very sorry darling. I wanted to tell you.

But you didn’t. If we continued won’t you need to tell me one day?

I am very sorry. I didn’t know how to tell you, she said, sobbing.

Aaron felt sorry for her. He pulled her to himself and made promises to her. He told her that it’s the Holy Spirit that probably had made him acted the way he did so that he could know the truth. I didn’t know what came over me, he said, shrugging. I knew it’s wrong. You’re right. Sex without marriage or before or outside marriage is sinful. I just think it’s for the purpose of this truth that I acted that way. He said the custom’s related to his Christian belief. He felt bad. I even said God’s not against such a sinful act, he lamented. He’s confused. He wept for betraying God. She wanted to cry for him. He’s a renegade and a betrayer. She’d never heard of anyone in her clan who’s disrobed before hymeneals and rites are done. And she’d never loved any other man but just one.

Now Aaron, after she’d explained everything to him still came to her on a Sunday night and wanted sex that could kill him. She denied him sex and he left. He walked away in annoyance. She didn’t bother to stop him. ‘‘Let him go,’’ Bola said to herself, ‘‘Bola, you’ve tried to keep him. You can’t do that anymore and you love. Just let him go!’’

She believed that Sunday night was the worst day in her life. Her body was demanding, rousing and it’s Aaron that awoken her passion. She wished she allowed him but she loved him too much and she’d not endanger his life. Now that’s he’s gone her mind’s troubled. She hoped that night would be last time she’d feel awful about love.

A week before that night, her Uncle had visited from Ekiti. He’d come to tell her of the Festival of the Rings that’d come up in a month’s time. While she’s talking with her uncle, Aaron called her number.

‘‘Bola, aren’t you going to answer the call?’’

‘‘It’s not important. And you taught us how to treat our elders with respect.’’

‘‘True. You don’t just divert to talking to someone else while you keep an adult waiting in a conversation. You’re a good daughter of my fathers. That’s why success is ever your lot. But you lied when you said it’s not an important matter. I was once twenty five like you and I know how the passion burns with priority of life.’’

She didn’t say anything. And he told her to answer the call if he called again. Gbenro was certain that person would call again. And he’s right. When Aaron called her phone again she knew how Gbenro caught her lies. The caller’s S.H. and she knew Gbenro was really a smart person and a great lover.

‘‘Alright sir, thank you. Just one minute.’’

Then she moved outside because she didn’t want to use love words when her uncle’s there. Elders, as she believed, don’t usually sanction those words they believed are immoral and only fit for base without cultures. ‘‘Hello, Sweet Heart please call me back in the next ... or I’ll call you back I’m busy with my uncle. He just came to Lagos to see his son who’s just blessed with a set of twins, both genders. And he decided to see me before going to the village.’’ She didn’t wait for his response. She pressed the red button as she walked back in.

‘‘One thing I liked