I cupped my hand over my mouth to mute a sob and I shook my head. A hand lay on my shoulder, and I looked up to see my sister gazing at me in sorrow.
“I am not the devil, Phebe. You have to believe me!”
Pulling on my hand, Phebe cradled me in her arms, rocking me back and forth. “It is your beauty, Sister. You are very tempting, just like Eve was to Adam. Just like Eve, you bewitch men to do your bidding; they cannot force themselves away from your allurement. The elders… and Father,”—I stiffened on hearing these words—“they believe that like Eve, you are swayed by the devil, or even…” Phebe trailed off.
I looked up at her sorrowful face and swallowed hard.
“Even what?” I enquired nervously.
Phebe held me tighter. “That the devil is within you. That the devil controls you… that you are his pawn, tempting men to sin against the Lord and their flesh.”
My head shook back and forth. “No, no, no… Phebe!”
Phebe’s hands gripped my damp cheeks. “You must be strong and obedient, sister. Any trial or test they put in your path, you must pass it. You must strive to be good. If evil is in your flesh, you must fight it. If men fall at your feet, do not succumb to their charms.” Phebe’s hands tightened around my face, her eyes focused on my eyes. “They will be taking you away. I overheard Father talking with Brother Luke a few hours ago. A very important man is coming to pick you up first thing in the morning. He is taking you from the family to test your faith. He is one of Prophet David’s closest confidents.”
“No!” I cried and seized Phebe’s wrists.
Phebe pressed a kiss to my head. “Do not panic. This is a test from the Lord. No matter how long it takes, or what they put you through, you must triumph. The Lord will defeat the devil within you if you prove your devotion. You will be saved. The Lord will save your soul.”
“I do not want to go. I do not want to leave you… I am very afraid,” I hushed out in a broken voice. Fear had me in its grip and I felt I could not breathe.
“You will make it through. Your faith in the Lord can overcome evil.”
“I will miss you, Phebe.”
Phebe began to cry. “We will meet again, sister. Stay strong, and if you stray from the righteous path, think of me and you will find your way back home.” Phebe pushed me back slightly, her face stern. “Make me this promise now. No matter what happens, you will find your way back to The Order, to our prophet, to your home.”
“I promise,” I swore in a shaky voice.
Phebe and I lay down and fell asleep.
When dawn broke, a large bearded man dressed all in black, walked into my room and ripped me from my sister’s arms without a word. I did not put up a fight, nor did I protest.
Not one member of my family was there to say good-bye to me.
I understood; I was being shunned.
The scary man gripped my arms, placed a piece of material over my eyes, shutting out the world, and after a sharp sting in my arm, everything tilted to the side and I fell back into darkness.
*****
“Wake up!”
I gradually came to, prompted by someone nudging my arm. My hazy vision cleared slowly. A hand gripped my arm and pulled me upright. Nausea rolled around my stomach as I struggled to clear my head.
“Come. I am taking you to your new quarters.” Lifting my eyes, my blurry gaze fell upon the bearded man dressed all in black. On further observation, I realized he was not too old, but his dark eyes were harsh. He looked down on me as if I were evil incarnate.
He had taken me somewhere… I cast a glance around the room and my heart began beating furiously when I recognized nothing was familiar. The room was all white. The air seemed hot and thick. I felt I could not breathe. And the heat, Lord, the heat was stifling and my long dress was too hot to bear.
“Wh-where am I, sir? Where is my family?” I asked nervously, trying to calm down.