Hearing Brother Luke and Sarai get into the back of the van, anger took a tighter hold and I smashed Judah into the side of the van. “
“Cain! What—” he went to argue, but I cut him off with my hand around his throat.
“It was ill thought out of you to lie to my fucking face. I asked you if you adhered to the scripture with the Cursed Delilah, and you swore to me you did.” I leaned in, hand squeezing tighter. Seeing Judah’s cheeks redden, I said, “And you lied. My twin, my own flesh and blood fucking lied, to my face.”
His mouth worked without words, when he finally choked out, “We needed to send a strong message to our people. We needed to show them what happened when they turned away from the true path, as she did.”
I slammed his head back against the metal of the van. “And that was not your decision to make. It was mine. As the Prophet of New Zion, that was up to me.” Loosening my grip slightly, I said, “I love you. You are my only family. But do not betray me, brother. And never fucking lie to me again.”
I stepped back, dropping my arm. Judah sagged against the metal of the van and gasped for breath. Retrieving the cell, I smashed it to the ground, and stamped my foot down until it was completely destroyed.
I moved to re-enter the mill, when Judah spat, “Do not let them go, brother. Do not crush everything I have worked for.”
Freezing, I then slowly turned round and shook my head. “You know nothing, Judah. You believed you were doing good, bringing those women here, but your naivety has brought us directly into a death trap.” I pointed to his face. “This is on you. You acted foolishly, and we need to leave now, or believe me, there’ll be nothing left of us by morning.”
I stormed back toward the mill, when Judah called out, “You fear them, Cain. I can see it pouring from you. You fear the devil’s men.”
Stopping dead, but without turning round, I said, “And so should you, Judah. You’ve never met them. You’ve never walked among them. And you have no idea how easily they would take your life.” Taking a steadying breath, I said, “Like I said before, Judah. You’re na?ve. You know nothing of this outside world. Fucking nothing at all.”
Walking again, picking up my pace, I approached Mae and her sisters. They all stared up at me in terrified confusion. The youngest one was shaking. Looking around the deserted old mill, she asked, “Are you to kill us?”
Fear radiated from her in waves, and I wondered how the hell she belonged to Flame? Running my hand down my face, I shook my head. “No.”
Submitting to look at her face one more time, I turned to Mae and suddenly felt drained of all energy. There was water in her eyes, and she asked in disbelief, “You are letting us go? Truly?”
My shoulders sagged at the relieved happiness in her voice. “It was never my plan to take you.” I threw the empty purse on the ground. “No doubt there was a GPS in your cell. I imagine your men will be here soon.”
Drinking in Mae’s features one last time, I turned toward the van when I heard. “Rider?”
My eyes closed at the sound of that name, because at this moment I’d have traded everything to be that guy again. I glanced behind. Mae was on her feet, the “Property of Styx” cut she was wearing stared me right in the face, sending a wave of fierce anger coursing through my body. Her long black hair was lifting in the breeze and I thought she’d never looked more beautiful than she did right now.
“There is hope for you yet,” she said with a trembling voice.
I huffed a humorless laugh and shook my head.
“It is true,” she pushed, “The road to your redemption lies just ahead.” She pointed to her sisters. “This, freeing us three, is a start.” Her hand rubbed over her stomach, and she added, “Be who you truly are, not this man you are struggling to be. Because the real you is better. He is a better man by far.”
The beat in my heart fell at her words, but without responding I turned away and left the mill.