But it wasn’t Lilith at the door. It was two of the elders. The old one, Nelson, and one of the younger ones. I couldn’t remember his name.
“Good morning.” The younger one coughed into his fist, tone flat and insincere. “I hope we didn’t disturb you.”
“I was finishing my ablutions,” I told him loftily, annoyed. “And reciting prayers to Erlik.”
“Of course.” Nelson’s hands on his cane trembled as he nodded. The age spots on the back of his palms seemed starker today. “Which one? The one set aside for mid morning blessings? Or a hymn of praise? I personally enjoy the hymn that begins, ‘Lord of all creation and beyond, I beseech thee your time.’ What about you?”
“Neither,” I said smoothly, though my pulse kicked up for a beat. “Heralds have their own private songs and language to communicate with our god.”
The younger elder frowned slightly.
Nelson nodded, his lined face accepting. “Yes, yes.”
“Come with us, if you please, Herald,” the younger one said. “Early in the mornings sometimes we elders pray together in the sanctuary. After, we would hear of what you have learned from your visit to Lord Fallon last evening.”
I clenched my jaw. They knew about that? How had they found out? I’d originally thought Lilith’s concerns about always being on a pedestal to be watched had been exaggerated. Apparently not.
The pungent odor of mold and mildew permeated my nostrils as it drifted through the open door. The elders didn’t seem to notice. Shadows flickered across their faces, putting the features in harsh, stark lines.
“I would love to.” I didn’t have to cooperate any longer. I had the information I needed. I could leave right now.
Except Lilith.
Sudden anger welled inside me, making it difficult to breathe. Why should I leave her behind? She was my mate, wasn’t she? Why was I hiding it?
“Herald?”
I blinked. Right. They were still waiting for my answer. I pasted on a smile. “Lead the way.”
I had to bunch my wings as tightly as I could to get through the damn corridor—another thing I wouldn’t miss about this place—and then finally we reached the sanctuary. Our feet echoed through the tall stone room. Wooden pews lined most of the space, like at the funeral. At the front, before the platform, stood a font. Like a bird bath, but a little deeper and clearly older. Ornate scrollwork wrapped around the rim.
The rest of the elders stood nearby, waiting for us.
Like a good little puppet, I joined them in a loose circle around the font. The anger in my belly flickered back to life as I stared at their faces. I thought of Lilith, tormented by her own body, worried about her family, grief-stricken over her sister. I thought of Eve, who’d run as soon as she’d had a decent chance of making it. And even Silence, who hadn’t yet spoken a word in my presence.
The water rippled gently in the stone basin, reacting to our footsteps.
“Our Herald will go first, demonstrating the ritual of holiness.” Elder Nelson waved one age-spotted hand.
The younger elders glanced at me.
“Oh, no, I do not want to usurp your authority,” I lied through a tight smile. “You go first.”
He stared at me, nostrils flaring. That man had never heard the word no before, I guessed. “Herald,” he said, then fell silent.
I stared across the font, completely uncowed. He wasn’t going to push me around. “Show me how you worship our lord so I can tell him of your faithfulness when I return.” I gestured for them to get on with it.
Tomes, the gaunt man who’d brought me and Lilith back from Mirkwold, looked sharply between me and Nelson. “Return? Are you leaving?”
“Patience,” Nelson soothed, his eyes fixed on the water as it calmed again. But his eyes flashed with anger, his lips whitening. He made some sort of signal, and the ritual started. I was victorious this time.
As the thrill of triumph faded, worry gnawed in its place. This couldn’t come back and hurt Lilith, could it? I wanted to humble Nelson, to show him exactly how small he was. I took a breath. No, this would be fine. Lilith wasn’t even in the room. Nelson would be angry with me alone. I smirked at the thought. That would be good for him.
The elders began rolling up their sleeves, unbuttoning and folding, the room silent but for breathing and the rasp of fabric against itself.
I was shirtless, as usual, so I watched.
“As you cleanse our hearts from all waywardness and rebellion, we purify our hands so all we do brings glory to you,” the youngest elder intoned.
