Prophet Cain’s eyes watched me, and what looked like indecision glimmered in their depths. Walking two steps forward, Prophet Cain bent down and said, “Delilah… I have heard much of you.” I rolled my eyes to meet his and I was struck by his beauty. “Tell me, Delilah, why were you running from your people?”

I did not give a reply. I knew whatever I would say would fall on the deafest of ears.

Prophet Cain sighed and quietly said, “Delilah, repent, agree to atone for your sins by Prophet David’s writings, and you shall be saved from a trial.”

I dropped my eyes, and Prophet Cain lifted my chin. “Look at me,” he ordered. He stared into my eyes, and then cast what looked like anxious glances around the elders.

“Leave us,” Prophet Cain ordered his council, and reluctantly, they all got to their feet. All except Brother Judah. Prophet Cain stood and faced his twin. “You too, Judah. I need to speak to her alone.”

Judah’s face hardened as he shot out of seat and marched out of the room. Judah’s face, although identical in every way, was harsher than the prophet’s. Judah’s eyes were always assessing, like he saw everyone as an enemy. Prophet Cain’s eyes actually seemed kind at times, troubled at others. Mae had told me that she once had considered him a friend. At times, I could maybe see why.

When everyone had cleared the room, Prophet Cain walked over me and kneeled down. “Delilah, or is it Lilah? When Mae would talk of you she always called you Lilah.”

I kept my eyes to the tiled floor, not saying a single of word. Too numb to even muster a reply.

Prophet Cain sat on the floor and wrapped his arms around his knees, staring outside of the window. His brown hair hung loose down his back and his beard was growing out since the first time I had seen him all those months ago when he had returned Mae to marry Prophet David.

“How is she?” Prophet Cain said a few minutes later, making my blink in surprise.

I did not answer, and it caused him to turn and stare at me. “Is she happy? Does… does she ever talk of me?”

A sorrowful expression crossed his face and he dropped his head, sighing, like he regretted even asking.

Glancing at the door behind us, Prophet Cain turned back to me and said, “You must repent Lilah. If you do not, I cannot save you. Every move I make is being watched, every prayer service I take is judged and I am trying to make this commune thrive for the sake of our people. I need the people to believe in me so I can lead us to greatness. I still believe in the Lord’s message, in Prophet David’s message. I still want us all to be saved. And for that we need Mae, we need to get all the Cursed back to New Zion. Prophecies must be fulfilled!”

My hands began shaking as I heard the truth, the vindication in his words. I wanted for us Cursed to be saved too, but when I thought of Mae smiling and happy with Styx in my mind, I knew I could not repent. When I thought of quiet Maddie staring out of the window watching the world in contentment, I knew I could not repent. And when I thought of being caressed and adored by Ky, of him making love to me so carefully, I knew I could not repent.

They had to be protected.

Prophet Cain leaned forward and lifted my chin with his finger. “I would never hurt her. She would be my only wife. I love her. And because I love her she needs to be freed from that devil, Styx. You all do. You all need to be here. And because I love her, and I know she loves you, I need you to repent. I cannot stop the punishment you will face if not. I will spare you a trial if you confess to your tempting ways. Because, Delilah, you do not want to be put through a trial.”

I opened my mouth to speak and Prophet Cain seemed to sigh in relief that I was complying. That did not last long when I closed my lips back shut.

Prophet Cain’s jaw clenched and sitting up, he snapped, “So they got to you too? The Hangmen corrupted another Cursed’s soul? You deny your people’s salvation to protect them? What? Did you fall for one of them too?” He laughed in disbelief. “You did, didn’t you?” His previously kind eyes frosted over into bitterness. “Then they have just sentenced you to an eternity in hell.”

The door to the room suddenly opened and Brother Judah walked in followed by my father, Micah and Brother Luke.

“Well?” Judah asked, and I could feel Prophet Cain’s eyes on me, imploring me to confess. I remained quiet. I simply did not care what they did to me. Trial or no trial, I was done with it all, with this beauty that lured men like Micah into raping me. For I now knew what they disguised as a “Lord’s Sharing” was rape. I now understood what rape was.

Prophet Cain sighed in defeat. Standing up, he looked to his brother. “You are the Inquisitor, Judah. I wash my hands of her and want no part in her schooling.” Prophet Cain looked to Micah and said in a cutting voice, “Maybe you are right after all, brother. Maybe she is beyond salvation.”

Prophet Cain walked off and ascended a large set of stairs, disappearing from sight, but I frowned when I saw his reflection in the opposite nearby window. He had stood with his back against the wall, tipped his head back, spun around and sent his fist into the white wall. His burst of rage startled me, but I did not have much time to think it over. Brother Judah, Brother Luke, Brother Micah, and most hurtful of all, my father all loomed over my cowered body. Though, I had come to realize this man was not a father to me. He had no care in his soul for me.

Brother Judah looked to Micah. “Gather the people. They must witness how The Order punishes a willing harlot of Satan. We shall take her to circle. We shall try her for the witch she is.”

*****

The crowd was on their feet as I was tied by my wrists, each arm spread and fastened to two posts. They were yelling things at me, their angry faces red as Judah and Micah introduced me as a deserter.

“This Cursed woman of Eve was found tonight fleeing The Order, after being saved by Brother Micah.” Gasps of shock echoed around the clearing. Men and women of all ages and sizes were glaring at me, adults shielding the children’s faces from me.

“The devil living within her convinced her run from the Lord’s salvation. And as a weak woman, she was swayed from reaching God’s offered light. Instead, she chose the path of darkness.”

The people’s attention was rapt on Judah as he kneeled by my side, Brother Micah holding back my hair so my face was on show. “This is a Cursed. Notice her face, designed so men would fall at her feet.” Judah ran his finger over my forehead. “Her features perfect enough to entice any man. Her forehead is the perfect size, her eyes large, framed with thick and long black lashes. Her cheekbones are high, yet not too defined. Her chin is small, giving a softer appearance, and her lips are full and plump, but her mouth not too large. Men will be driven crazy by this face.”