I felt tears drip down my face. “I’m sorry, Pastor,” I whispered, trembling in his arms.
“My dear, sweet child, you have nothing to apologize for. You are not the demon on our doorstep. You are not the one who will pay.” His words staved my tears. I went still. A chill wrapping around my heart.
The threat was clear.
Bastian would be forced to leave The Gathering of the Sun.
“Now, heed my words, Sara. You were made to join me. To walk the path by my side. It’s what God wants. It’s his plan. I’ve heard his words. You must listen to them.”
I stopped breathing. A hum started in my ears. And still Pastor held me tightly. He wouldn’t let me go.
“You will be my wife, Sara. It is my sacred duty to ensure you are ready for the end of days. For they are here. They are before us.”
I pulled away. Pastor’s fingers, still in my hair, ripped out strands in my scramble to back away. His face was placid. Too serene.
“What are you talking about?” I rasped. I tried to suck in air. I couldn’t get enough. I was dizzy. Black spots swam in front of my eyes.
Pastor Carter cupped my cheek. “God has chosen you, Sara. Our paths are one and the same. You will be my wife. I will be your husband. It’s how it’s meant to be. And then we will be Awakened together. I will walk with you through the gates of heaven and God will welcome us home.” He seemed so pleased. So happy.
I was seconds away from throwing up.
“But I can’t marry you, Pastor. You’re my father…” The words trailed off into nothing.
He clicked his tongue, giving me an indulgent smile. “I’m not your Earthly father, Sara. Don’t be silly. I’ve been your spiritual guide, nothing more. There is nothing biological between us. God would not have blessed our union if it were sinful.”
“You’relikemy father,” I said again.
Pastor steepled his fingers beneath his chin, nodding. “I can see how you think that. Then like Lot, I will lie with my daughter. And it will be a holy thing.”
I tried to lick my lips, but my tongue was bone dry. “I’m only eighteen. And you’re—”
Pastor’s face became thunderous. “Are you still defying our Lord?” he shouted. But I didn’t jump this time. I was prepared for his outburst.
“I won’t marry you, Pastor! It’s wrong! God wouldn’t want that!”
Pastor Carter’s eyes grew cold. His mouth twisted cruelly.
“Then you will burn in hell and I will shove you into the pit myself.”
“My heart’s been given to another, Pastor.” It was my last ditch effort to make him see reason. To protect myself from this plan he had enacted without my consent.
Pastor laughed and it was a horrible, horrible noise. “You aren’t destined for that boy. He is worthless. He will be left behind. He has led you down a dangerous path. If you continue to follow him, I won’t help you. No one will. You will be turning your back on your family. On the people who love you.”
“I’m not turning my back on my family,” I protested.
Pastor Carter grabbed my wrist, twisting. I gasped in pain but I didn’t pull away. It would only make it worse. “You are killing your family. Your selfishness will be our ruin. Think about that, Sara. Is giving your heart away worth losing everything?” He squeezed harder. I could feel his fingers pressed to bone.
He dropped my arm, practically flinging it away. “Think about it. Pray. Let God show you the way.” Once more a vision of piety. “Don’t throw away your soul for a brief affair of the heart. You are better than that. It would destroy us all to lose you when we’re so close to the end.”
I was thankfully being dismissed. I had to get out of that room. Away from the man I had worshipped like a God.
I got to my feet and bowed my head, waiting for the blessing that didn’t come.
“You’ve hurt me with your doubts, Sara. We both have to pray on that,” was all he said.
I hurried from Pastor’s house, wanting to keep going and never stop.
“What are you doing out here?”
