Slash turned to Little Ash and nodded his head. “You wanna come with, man? I can show you around.”
Little Ash nodded his head in reply, and began to follow Slash, hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans. Smiler shook his head at Flame and went back to the other men. Then Flame shouted. “Slash?”
Slash turned and Flame pointed straight at Little Ash. “He’s my little brother. Hurt him and I’ll slit your fucking throat.”
Slash paled, nodded his head and scurried away. As Little Ash turned his head to follow, I caught a ghost of a smile gracing his lips.
I pressed myself into Flame’s chest just as Lilah entered the yard. Seeing me standing with Mae, she came straight over and hugged me to her chest, then kissed Mae on her cheek.
Behind us, Ky approached.
“Sweet Cheeks,” he said smiling, winking at his wife. As soon as he reached Lilah’s side, he threw his arm over her shoulder and tipped her back for a kiss. Lilah laughed against his mouth.
It was not long before Styx appeared next to Mae, his arm protectively threading around her waist, his hand laying flat over her stomach.
Styx reluctantly moved his hand and began to sign, my sisters and Ky joining in the conversation. But I did not pay them attention, instead I glanced around the yard, at this new strange family I had found myself amongst, feeling safe under Flame’s arms now draped around my shoulders. Then my eyes fell upon the window of Styx’s apartment. The apartment above the compound in which I used to reside. And I remembered those early nights after leaving the commune; I would sit at the window, staring down at the men I was convinced were evil.
All except one… the man with the dark eyes, who paced the ground outside my window; eyes fixed on me, as my hand pressed to the glass, wishing I had the strength to talk to him.
Pressing a kiss to Flame’s arm, feeling his chin rest upon my head, I decided I liked being down here, living my life, melded to Flame’s heart, and wrapped in his embrace.
I liked it much better.
Much better indeed.
Chapter Thirty
Prophet Cain
White tunic.
White pants.
My long hair down.
I was ready.
But as I stared at my reflection in the mirror, all I felt was nausea. And wrong. Everything about this place screamed to me that it was so fucking wrong.
A light knock sounded on the door that led to the altar. “Come in,” I called. Phebe entered the room, now freed from her seclusion.
“It is time, my Lord,” she announced and waited at the door.
I frowned. “You are not joining Judah tonight?”
Phebe looked down at the floor. “He has chosen Sarai in my stead. She has now been awarded the role of Judah’s first consort.” Her head dropped further. “As his only consort.”
My stomach rolled as I thought of my brother taking that child. I felt sick. Phebe looked up at me as music began to drift into the room. “My Lord, it is beginning. We must go.”
Forcing my feet to move, I followed Phebe down the narrow hallway, smelling the strong scents of burning incense, listening to the instrumental music grow in volume. My heart beat in time with the fast drumbeat pulsing off the walls. I prayed to God to get me through this.
Reaching a veiled door, Phebe pointed to the inside. “This is where I leave you. I am without a partner for tonight. I am not permitted to enter.”
I stared at the door. “How many people are in there?”
Phebe followed my gaze. “Many, my Lord. Perhaps a hundred? This Lord’s Sharing is meant for only the elders and the disciples. Those who are taking on the elevated honor of awakening the sisters.”
My body tensed at Phebe’s words, and I whispered, “Awakenings…?”
“Yes, my Lord. Judah organized for all the appropriately aged girls to be gathered in commemoration of your attendance. The commune is quite abuzz that you shall be overseeing so many firsts. They believe it is a significant sign from God, that we are in his favor.”
Anger filled my veins, then I asked, “And Judah organized all this in my honor? This many… firsts... did you say?”
“Yes, my Lord. He wishes to honor you greatly. He has been excited all day.”
Waving my hand, I said, “Thank you, Sister Phebe, you may leave.”
Phebe bowed and walked away. I stayed at the door. Because I knew, as much as I believed in my people’s cause, as much as I believed I was the prophet of The Order, I knew I could not stand by and—no, I could not bless the raping of children. Nothing in my faith told me it was right under God’s eyes. Not even the supposedly revealed words of my uncle.