Tristan Robert Lange

Devilishly Dreadful: The Initiate; or, The Mysteries of the White Band

The blasted blindfold’s been removed,

I can see ev’ryone around—

Their hidden faces preapproved—

Not a peep, they stare with no sound.

My love for Edie is profound—

A sword points to my chest, unmoved—

We’d be hitched, but I lost that ground;

The blasted blindfold’s been removed.

Disinheritance, been reproved

For failing my father—renowned—

Would harm her campaign, now approved.

I can see ev’ryone around—

There, Chesterfield Morgan...dad...bound;

A crowd of white-veiled faces moved—

Edith Kennedy there, no sound—

Their hidden faces preapproved.

General Hedgebet had long groomed

Me to join the White Band—power found—

My chances for Edith: improved.

Not a peep, they stare with no sound.

My dad, hotel magnate, there bound—

“You’ve said the vows and are approved,”

Edie’s, not Hedgebet’s, voice then drowned

The room—“Kill him! Have him removed!”—

The blasted blindfold.

First published on tristanrobertlange.com, October 12, 2026.

Tittu

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Coming this Macabre Monday:

DEVILISHLY DREADFUL

The Wild Kids of America; or,

The Children of Fright

on October 19, 2026