The Church (The Cloister Trilogy 3)

The truth whispers through my mind. When I came here, I wanted answers and vengeance. Now—after seeing what the Prophet is capable of—I’ve changed. How could I not? Violence and terror are harsh mistresses that mar everything they touch. Including me.

I’m not after closure anymore. I’m after blood.

I should be shocked at my thoughts, afraid of what I intend to do. But I’m not. I pull myself up to my feet and lean my head back, embracing the flowing water instead of hiding from it.

I’m done being a Maiden, done pretending to believe in the Prophet. I will fight and claw and kill if I have to. I don’t know how just yet, but I’ll find a way.

Heavenly will burn. I smile. It’s a real one that reaches all the way down to my roots. Pure delight prickles along my skin at the thought of the Prophet hung on that same cross, his lifeblood pouring out of him.

“Fuck me.”

I startle and open my eyes.

Evan Roberts stands outside my shower stall, his gaze roving over my naked body.

I drape one arm across my breasts and cross my legs.

“It’s already in here.” He taps his temple. “Not to mention what I’ve got on my phone.”

“What are you doing here?” I dart forward and grab the towel from the hook. “I’m tainted goods, remember?”

He smiles as I wrap myself up and flip off the water. “You aren’t pure anymore, that’s true.” Stepping to the side, he blocks my way out of the shower. “But I blew off some steam last night and saw a beautiful sight this morning.”

I glare.

“Oh, not you, darling, though I enjoyed the show.” He smirks. “Adam on the cross—it was the best way imaginable to start my day. Dropped by to get a good look before I came here. He wouldn’t speak to me. But I told him a few things—mostly about what I intend to do to you. How I’m going to fuck every one of your holes till you bleed. And then I might share you. I haven’t decided on that part yet. And, because I want to show that I’m still a good sport, even though he stole something from me, I promised him I’d send him the video.”

My knees threaten to give, but I straighten my back. I won’t show any weakness in front of him. Never again.

I step forward with feigned strength. “I can still feel him inside me. Did you know that?” A thrill pulses through me when his smirk dies. “Maybe I’ll always feel him since he was my first.” I close my eyes and make an mmm sound. “God, what I wouldn’t give for another time with him. Just one more—”

He grabs me by my throat and slams me against the tile. “Shut your mouth!”

I keep my smile intact despite the pain in the back of my head. “He was so thick, filled me until I thought I’d burst.” I bite my lip. “I wanted it from him. All of him. He made me bleed, then kept fucking me until I came. No one can take his place.”

His grip tightens, his face only inches from mine. “Is that what you want? To be fucked until you bleed?”

“Yes.” I lick my lips. “But only by Adam.”

Squeezing harder, he blocks my breath. “You fucking tease.” He slides his other hand between my thighs. “You want me riled up?” He cups my sex, his fingers seeking to punish, not please. “You got it.”

Someone clears their throat, and a man’s voice echoes through the empty shower room. “I’m sorry, Senator. But you can’t touch the Maiden until you’ve—”

“Bought her. I know. I fucking know.” He removes his hands and steps back. Letting out a labored breath, he burns me with his harsh gaze, the psychopath inside blazing through.

I swallow and tamp down the well-hidden panic. Maybe I can’t stop my fear, but I can refuse to give in to it.

“I’ll never stop talking about him, thinking about him, wanting him instead of you.” I tighten my towel around me. “Never.”

He clears the way for me to walk by, but I stay put. All my trust belongs to Adam, no one else.

He puts his hands up, palms out, and backs up another step. “If you think your smart mouth is going to stop me, you don’t know me at all.”

“I don’t want to know you, and you don’t want to know me.” I hurry past him. “I will fight you, hurt you, do everything I can to kill you.”

“Maiden!” The guard glowers. “Watch your mouth, and know your place.”

I stride past him. “I know my place. It’s beneath Adam Monroe.”

The guard grabs me by my hair and wheels me around to face Evan. “Apologize to the senator.”

“No.” I grit my teeth.

He yanks harder as Evan approaches, hunger in his eyes. “I said apologize, bitch.”