I did not answer, and it caused him to turn and stare at me. “Is she happy? Does… does she ever talk of me?”
A sorrowful expression crossed his face and he dropped his head, sighing, like he regretted even asking.
Glancing at the door behind us, Prophet Cain turned back to me and said, “You must repent Lilah. If you do not, I cannot save you. Every move I make is being watched, every prayer service I take is judged and I am trying to make this commune thrive for the sake of our people. I need the people to believe in me so I can lead us to greatness. I still believe in the Lord’s message, in Prophet David’s message. I still want us all to be saved. And for that we need Mae, we need to get all the Cursed back to New Zion. Prophecies must be fulfilled!”
My hands began shaking as I heard the truth, the vindication in his words. I wanted for us Cursed to be saved too, but when I thought of Mae smiling and happy with Styx in my mind, I knew I could not repent. When I thought of quiet Maddie staring out of the window watching the world in contentment, I knew I could not repent. And when I thought of being caressed and adored by Ky, of him making love to me so carefully, I knew I could not repent.
They had to be protected.
Prophet Cain leaned forward and lifted my chin with his finger. “I would never hurt her. She would be my only wife. I love her. And because I love her she needs to be freed from that devil, Styx. You all do. You all need to be here. And because I love her, and I know she loves you, I need you to repent. I cannot stop the punishment you will face if not. I will spare you a trial if you confess to your tempting ways. Because, Delilah, you do not want to be put through a trial.”
I opened my mouth to speak and Prophet Cain seemed to sigh in relief that I was complying. That did not last long when I closed my lips back shut.
Prophet Cain’s jaw clenched and sitting up, he snapped, “So they got to you too? The Hangmen corrupted another Cursed’s soul? You deny your people’s salvation to protect them? What? Did you fall for one of them too?” He laughed in disbelief. “You did, didn’t you?” His previously kind eyes frosted over into bitterness. “Then they have just sentenced you to an eternity in hell.”
The door to the room suddenly opened and Brother Judah walked in followed by my father, Micah and Brother Luke.
“Well?” Judah asked, and I could feel Prophet Cain’s eyes on me, imploring me to confess. I remained quiet. I simply did not care what they did to me. Trial or no trial, I was done with it all, with this beauty that lured men like Micah into raping me. For I now knew what they disguised as a “Lord’s Sharing” was rape. I now understood what rape was.
Prophet Cain sighed in defeat. Standing up, he looked to his brother. “You are the Inquisitor, Judah. I wash my hands of her and want no part in her schooling.” Prophet Cain looked to Micah and said in a cutting voice, “Maybe you are right after all, brother. Maybe she is beyond salvation.”
Prophet Cain walked off and ascended a large set of stairs, disappearing from sight, but I frowned when I saw his reflection in the opposite nearby window. He had stood with his back against the wall, tipped his head back, spun around and sent his fist into the white wall. His burst of rage startled me, but I did not have much time to think it over. Brother Judah, Brother Luke, Brother Micah, and most hurtful of all, my father all loomed over my cowered body. Though, I had come to realize this man was not a father to me. He had no care in his soul for me.
Brother Judah looked to Micah. “Gather the people. They must witness how The Order punishes a willing harlot of Satan. We shall take her to circle. We shall try her for the witch she is.”
*****