“As you can see, there was no avoiding involving the police this time.”
“I figured.”
“They’ll want to question you once you’re up for it.”
“I figured that much, too.”
“Blake and I gave them enough information to get started,” she explained, brushing her thumb over my knuckles absentmindedly. “Mostly Blake, since he spent years trapped in that hell. It’s all so…horrible.”
I nodded. “As awful as it must have been for him and everyone else, I can’t help but be grateful he survived.” My throat tightened. “Otherwise, I never would have found you.”
Ariana squeezed my hand gently, pressing a soft kiss to it.
“The investigation is still ongoing,” she continued. “But apparently Isaac started everything decades ago.” Her voice turned hollow. “When Blake killed him, Josiah continued his legacy. They found records.”
“What kind of records?”
“Both Isaac and Josiah kept records of everyone they targeted. Psychological profiles. Family history. Educational background. They studied each and every victim. Learned exactly how to manipulate each one into becoming completely devoted. And for those he couldn’t break…” She gave me a knowing look.
“They killed them,” I finished.
“Not exactly.”
“No?”
“They ordered the others to eliminate the less faithful in a ceremony like the one…” She trailed off, but I didn’t need her to finish her statement. I knew what she was talking about.
The chapel.
The women.
The blind devotion in some of their eyes.
I’d seen violence before. Cruelty. Evil.
But that place… It was something else entirely.
“Those girls are going to need therapy for the rest of their lives,” I muttered as another thought slammed into me, my pulse quickening. “Sarah,” I said frantically, my wide eyes searching Ariana. “What about Sarah? Is she okay?”
Ariana’s expression softened. “She’s fine. She’s stubborn. Just like her father.” She winked. “Her room was next to mine,” she offered softly.
“Where?”
“There.” She nodded toward the television. “My first night, she heard me through the wall. Encouraged me not to give up and to stay strong, even though I wanted to, especially after he…”
“After he what?” I seethed, my jaw tightening.
Ariana hesitated, opening and closing her mouth several times. Then she tugged the collar of her shirt aside, revealing a bandage.
She didn’t have to explain for me to know what was beneath it. Not when it was in the same place as Blake’s brand.
Fury exploded through me so violently it momentarily eclipsed any pain I felt.
“It’s a good thing he’s fucking dead. Otherwise, I’d kill him all over again. Slowly.”
Ariana allowed her shirt to cover the bandage once more. “The doctor recommended a plastic surgeon who specializes in scar removal. Said they’d be able to take care of that one, and any other scars I’d like removed.”
“Are you going to?”
