The Church (The Cloister Trilogy 3)

“She took off when Castro fell.”

“I have to find her.” Her tone is flat, cold.

A sinking feeling rots my gut, and I turn her to face me. “You know, don’t you?”

“I know it was her now.” She nods. “How long have you known?”

Guilt adds to the sour tangle inside me. “A little while, but I didn’t know Georgia was your sister until much later.”

“I have to find her.” She tries to get up, but I hold her close.

“We’ll find her. Together. But I need to make sure you’re safe first.” I turn to find Noah standing with his back to me, staring down at my father who lies clutching his arm at center stage.

“Is he dead?” I call.

“No. Castro’s bullet just winged him.” He shakes his head as my father sits up. “That fucker always was useless.”

Across the stage, the backgrounds billow, as if an outer door opened.

“Someone’s coming.” I point and move Emily so that she’s behind me. The sanctuary has cleared out. Someone must have gotten the doors open. But we need to get out, too, before the whole place comes down around us. Dad isn’t the bluffing sort. I have no doubt the sanctuary is rigged to blow.

My father groans and gets to his feet. Noah keeps his gun trained on him as he inspects the blood on his sleeve.

I squeeze Emily’s good hand. “We need to go. You’re hurt.”

“I’m okay,” she says, but the shake in her voice tells me otherwise. “I need to find your mother.” Her voice is flat. “I’m sorry, Adam, but I’m going to kill her.”

“Just wait—”

“He’s mine.” Jez emerges from across the stage, an automatic rifle in her hands. A dozen other women trail behind her, some from the Chapel and a couple of Maidens.

“Eve.” Emily tries to rise.

I help her, but once she’s up, she stands tall.

My father takes a step toward me, his hands outstretched. “Son, you need to get me out of here. The Protectors set dynamite, and if we don’t—”

“Shut up.” Jez jerks the barrel of her gun at him. “Girls, tie him up and gag him.”

Noah turns to me. “Adam?”

I shake my head. We won’t interfere. He walks over to me, standing at my side.

Our father’s face crumples, tears in his eyes. “Boys, please. I’m your father.”

I thought I’d feel at least some sort of grief when my father met his end. But all I feel is… nothing. Not a goddamn thing. Even when he starts cursing us in a language that’s been dead for centuries, nothing changes in me. There is no remorse or regret. Just the finality of judgment. His is here, and I’m merely a witness. I squeeze Emily’s hand in mine. She’s the only one who creates emotion inside me, who makes my heart beat. Only for her.

“No!” The Prophet struggles as the women from the Chapel surround him, two of them grabbing his arms while a Maiden rips a piece from her dress and uses it to bind his hands.

“You left her blood on your floor.” Jez circles the Prophet, her dark green eyes like glass. “My love. Her blood. All over your filthy floor. How could you do that?”

He opens his mouth, but the other Maiden shoves a wad of fabric in, gagging him.

“She was so beautiful. Did you know she could sing?” Jez presses the tip of her gun under his chin. “Like a songbird. That’s why I kept birds at the Chapel. They reminded me of her. And they would sing only for me.” Her voice is loud in the empty space, no speakers necessary to get her point across. “You took that song away. You took so much away from all of us. Now it’s time for you to pay.”

My father cranes his neck to look at us, his eyes imploring. But once again, it doesn’t move me. I am resigned, and if I could get through to him, I’d tell him to resign himself to his fate.

“Take him.” Jez shoves him back, and the women grab hold of him and hustle him off the stage.

Jez walks over to us, her back stiff, her steps sure. “Do any of you have a problem with this?”

“Make him suffer.” Emily’s voice is stark, but true.

Jez locks gazes with her, then gives a short nod. With one more glance at Noah and me, she turns and strides out after her quarry. When the door shuts, the sanctuary goes silent.

“Holy shit.” Noah drops to his haunches and dry heaves.

“Your mother.” Emily’s eyes rove the empty church. “I have to find her.”

I don’t want her to find Rachel. Simply because I want to shield Emily from any more death. But she deserves her revenge, and I can’t keep her from it.

“Come on.” I take her elbow and lead her away.

We’re almost to the stage door when it bursts open and Zion rushes in with half a dozen men at his back.