The Church (The Cloister Trilogy 3)

“I suppose it doesn’t matter now.” He adopts a more congenial tone. “What’s done is done, and the senator still wants you.”

“I was hoping to talk to you about that.” Just saying those words is like pulling a dagger from my body.

His eyes widen, then an indulgent smile crosses his lips. “What does my lily-white whore have to say?”

I can take his insults. They mean nothing to me. Just as he means nothing to me. But I’m here for more than words. “I spoke with Grace earlier today, but she refused my request to speak to you.”

“Go on.” He puts his hand on my thigh, resting it there as if I’m a piece of furniture.

“I’m ready for my assignment.” I hold his eyes, though their serpent-like nature sends a chill through my heart. “I’m ready to be what you need me to be for the senator.”

He arches a brow. “You’re ready to be in perfect obedience?”

“Yes, Prophet.” I drop my gaze. “I want to do your will.”

“Oh, my darling.” He pinches my leg. “I wish I could believe that.”

“It’s true.” I wring my hands. “If you send me to the senator, I promise I will be obedient to him and serve your will. You’ll see.”

“Why this sudden change of heart?” His hand inches up my leg. “What’s made the difference?”

“I see now that I have sinned against you. Grace and Noah taught me that. I was so wrapped up in myself that I didn’t open my heart to your words. But now I know better. And I’m sorry. And one day, I hope to be worthy of all the love you’ve shown me.”

He tilts my chin up. “How am I supposed to believe you? After all you’ve done? You tried to escape, led my son to ruin, then threatened to kill your one true mate.”

“I know.” I think of Sarah, of her blood, and of Adam, his screams on the cross. My eyes water, just as I intend. “And I will spend a lifetime trying to be the good girl you want me to be.” I slide to the floor and kneel at his feet. “I will make you proud. Please give me this chance to atone for all I’ve done.” Though I run the risk of retching, I take his hand and kiss the back of it. “Please, Prophet. Let me show you.”

“Show me?” He runs his other hand through my hair.

“Yes, please.”

He grins, and a shudder courses through me.

“You can show me what a good girl you are.” He opens his crimson robe and reaches for his pants. “With your mouth.”

My gorge rises, but I force it back down. I will do what I have to do. I blink, and a tear rolls down my cheek.

“Perfect.” He unzips his pants, and I close my eyes.

Chapter 16

Noah

I hurtle out of the Temple and into the night. A light drizzle floats down and coats everything in misery as I hurry to my car. The white bus has barely pulled away when I tear off after it, then take a left as it turns toward the Cloister to the right.

Blinking, I see Delilah on her knees, her teary eyes locking with mine for only a second before my father takes her attention again.

Fuck. I screech to a halt next to the small white church, gravel flying from under my tires. Jumping out of my car, I rush up the stairs. The usual guard is on duty and pays me no attention as I barrel through the double doors into the bedrooms. A few girls give me tired looks, then return to chatting. Only a couple of them are working, their fake moans floating around me like cheap perfume.

I hurry past to the door at the end of the center aisle, giving zero fucks when one of them screeches at me, “You can’t go in there!”

Jez’s door handle doesn’t yield when I turn it, so I bang on the hollow wood, demanding she open up.

“The fuck?” she squawks, and I hear movement.

“I’ll kick it in if you don’t open it by the time I get to five.” I don’t have time for her bullshit. He’s here. He has to be. I’ve searched everywhere on the compound that he could be. I even questioned Castro more this afternoon, though that fucker didn’t give me anything other than an assurance he wasn’t in the main house. Useless. But if Mom didn’t have him squirreled away somewhere, the Chapel is the only spot.

I count down. When I get to five, I take a step back and kick. Right when my foot should bust the door, Jez swings it open.

Topless, and with a bored look, she asks, “Where’s the fire?”

I storm in and slam the door behind me. “He’s here. I know he is.” Despite my rash entrance, I keep my voice down.