“Did he speak to you?” Uriel asked. Gabriel nodded. “And?”
Gabriel inhaled deeply. “I told him I’d pledge.” His gaze drifted to Michael, who was lying on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. “I have to be near you all if I’m to help. It’ll be my only way out . . . the only way any of us will get out.”
Years. Years Gabriel had waited for a chance to save them, to get them out. But no opportunity came, just the same torture, exorcisms, and nights in the candle room, on his knees or pushed to the floor as Father Quinn purified him with his seed. At times, Gabriel tried to remember the boy he was before Purgatory. But that life seemed like it was someone else’s. The altar boy dedicated to his faith and his priests. Priests who had now defiled him.
The room was thick as the others listened. The Brethren were forced to do evil things. Things Gabriel would never do. Even if he pledged, he was on limited time. The minute he refused an order, he would be punished. But if he didn’t pledge . . . they would kill him.
There was no good choice.
Gabriel moved to his bed. He rubbed the heels of his hands over his eyes. In all this time in Purgatory, he had never lost his faith. Believed God had placed him on a path, a journey that he must endure. He knew the Brethren operated outside of the Catholic Church. Father Quinn and the others had admitted as much. Gabriel trusted that if the Pope knew of these atrocities, this sect that had split from the main church, they would be cast aside. Gabriel still prayed nightly, begging for help, begging for the Brethren to be discovered. He still believed that they would all somehow be saved. Even if they were useless, prayer and faith were all he had left. He wouldn’t let the Brethren strip him of that too. They’d already taken his pride, his self-worth, and his body.
They wouldn’t take his soul.
When the morning of his birthday came, he couldn’t stop his hands shaking. Gabriel had no idea what the Brethren’s initiation ceremony entailed. As Gabriel dressed, he heard raised voices outside their room. He turned to face the Fallen, who had gathered around his bed. “I’ll get you free,” Gabriel said as the sound of hurried footsteps grew closer. “Trust me. I’ll get us all free.”
The Fallen didn’t reply. Bara smirked, clearly doubting Gabriel’s promise. Gabriel didn’t blame him. Nothing had ever worked in their favor. The Fallen’s souls were dark. Gabriel knew that. He knew some might argue they should never be released into the world. He was under no illusions. He knew they would all kill the minute they could. But in the three years he’d spent with them, they had become his family. His brothers.
He wasn’t their judge. That wasn’t his place.
The door opened, and Father Quinn came through. Gabriel didn’t let his surprise show on his face. Father Quinn was the high priest. He never collected the Fallen from the room.
For three years, Gabriel had been under his personal administrations.
“Gabriel.” Father Quinn’s voice carried like a whip through the room. He looked flustered. Gabriel had never seen him in such a way. “Now!” he shouted. Gabriel’s eyes narrowed, something in his gut telling him that something was very wrong. Gabriel faced Michael. His brother’s stare was predictably emotionless, but Gabriel still said, “Hold on, Michael. Keep strong.”
Warmth burst in Gabriel’s chest when Michael’s blue eyes focused on him for a few seconds, flaring in understanding. Then Gabriel was walking across the room and away from the boys he had vowed to protect. Father Quinn slammed the door shut behind them, and Joseph knew he was also closing the door on another chapter of his life. Gabriel followed Father Quinn down the hallway. But when they turned left, suspicion and unease seeped into his bones. A door stood in the distance . . . one that was familiar. One he had only walked through once before. When Father Quinn unlocked the door and bright light flooded the hallway, Gabriel slammed his back against the wall, the bright daylight too intense for his eyes. He hadn’t seen the sun for three years. Had only been exposed to darkness.
“Move,” Father Quinn hissed and grabbed Gabriel by the arm. He threw him into the path of the sun. Gabriel’s feet staggered as he was pulled up the staircase that he had discovered years ago. Blinded by the onslaught of light, he was thrown into the back of an SUV. It was darker in the car, and he blinked, trying to heal his scalded vision. Something was thrown into his lap. “Change.” Father Quinn’s barked order made Gabriel’s body automatically start moving. When he had finished, he looked down and recognized the uniform he used to wear at Holy Innocents. Gabriel couldn’t understand what was happening. Why he was back in his uniform?