“These men think you’re a Prophet of the Sanctum of Ash. But maybe they’re wrong.” I’m grateful when some of the brothers just shift their stance, not interrupting me. “Maybe you were just… dragged into something.”
“I was never a Prophet,” he says quickly—too quickly—making Silas snort. “That was slander spread by the enemies of the church.”
I nod slowly, as if considering it.
“So you were just a congregant?” I ask.
“Yes.”
“And the rituals?” I press gently. “The fasting? The purification ceremonies?”
“All symbolic,” he says, recovering a bit of his composure. “Spiritual discipline. Children today lack structure. We provided it.”
I let silence sit. Reporters know this trick; people rush to fill the silence.
He does.
“We were misunderstood,” he continues, gainingconfidence. “We were preparing souls for salvation.”
“Through isolation?” I ask mildly. “Food deprivation? Corporal punishment?”
He lifts his chin. “Spare the rod, spoil the child.”
Cole shifts behind me, but I ignore him.
“So you believe physical discipline is necessary,” I say thoughtfully. “Biblically justified.”
“Yes.”
“And who determined the severity?” I ask. “You?”
“No,” he snaps. “The council.”
“There was a council,” I say softly.
He freezes. Just for a second. I’m on the right path.
“And who sat on this council?” I ask.
Moore hesitates.
“I… I don’t recall names.”
“You don’t recall the names of the men who governed your church?”
His lips press together, and he looks at Elias. I lean forward slightly.
“You said you weren’t a Prophet,” I say quietly. “But you know that there was a council. And that there were governance decisions. And that punishment severity was discussed.”
His breathing grows heavier.
“I never hurt anyone,” he says suddenly.
“Liar,” Logan growls viciously. “Zach died from internal bleeding the night we escaped. It was you. He was five, you sick bastard!”
Rowe puts a hand on Logan’s shoulders, the scar tissue on his inner arms raised slightly in the dim light.
Bile rises, pushing its way into my throat, but I swallow it down, leaving behind a horrible burn. I take two deep breaths to gather myself.
