Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 121153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
“I will be coming back for you,” I promised.
He nodded. “I believe you can do this.”
I cast a final look down to my twin, sprawled on the ground. My gut twisted . . . and I knew that when the Hangmen came, Judah would pay. It had to be that way, but . . . I could barely stand the thought of being without him. He was my brother.
I left the cellblock and went out into the fresh air. When I arrived at the mansion, Brothers Luke, Michael and James were there, exactly as Solomon told me they would be.
Brother Luke watched me closely as I entered. “Did he repent?”
I nodded my head and smiled as Judah would do. A prideful smirk. “Of course. He was never going to stay in that place forever. He has pledged his allegiance to me. And he accepts me as his lord and prophet.”
Brother James looked behind me. “Where is he?”
I waved my hand. “He is filthy and not fit to be seen yet. I will collect him after the four days have passed.” I forced a salacious smile onto my lips. “Then I will reintroduce him into the fold at the post-wedding Lord’s Sharing.”
“He will participate?” Brother Luke asked suspiciously.
I smiled even wider. “Not only that, but he will awaken a child.”
Brother Luke reached for my hand and kissed the back of it with reverence. “You are truly the prophet, my lord. God has blessed you. He has blessed us with your power.”
I placed my hand on his bowed head. “Come,” I said. “We have souls to save.”
I turned back to the daylight and led the way out of the mansion, praying that I had played my part sufficiently well. I waited for a hit or strike to come from the men behind me . . .
But none came.
As we arrived at the altar I gave a long sigh of relief. I looked at the bed in the center of the raised platform. A new nervousness flooded my veins when I thought of what I had to do . . . what Harmony must do with me so we could be free.
I waited at the altar, waiting for my bride . . . all the time praying that Judah did not wake and foil our plan.
Then Harmony appeared at the end of the aisle and all thoughts of Judah fled my mind . . . I had only one focus now. One reason to live . . . and she was walking toward me, flowers in her hair, looking like an angel sent from heaven.
Just . . . beautiful . . .
*****
The sound of people rushing around brought my thoughts back to the present. I crouched by a nearby tree and looked over the commune. The commune that should have been sedate.
The people were out in force. Tension thickened the atmosphere, and no face looked calm. I had no idea what was happening, but when I saw guards barking out commands, it hit me like a truck—they were preparing for the war.
I slinked back into the trees. My heart raced as fast as my feet as I ran through the thick foliage and over to the cellblock. Only a day had passed. The people should be in celebration, not preparing for the attack.
I burst through the entrance, only to see overturned chairs and tables on the floor. I searched each of the cells—they were all empty.
My stomach dropped to the floor.
No one was here.
Judah was gone.
They were all gone.
What the hell could have happened? I pushed my hands through my hair as I tried to think of what to do next. Then a noise came from behind the cellblock. As quietly as possible, I snuck around the building to see what it was. There was a small cell built into the wall; it looked like it had been meant for guard dogs. Somebody was putting a young girl inside. I sighed in relief when I saw it was Phebe.
I whipped my head around, scanning every possible inch of land—she was alone. I silently stepped toward them. Phebe jumped as she saw me, but I made it to her in time to slam my hand over her mouth. “Shh, Sister Phebe. It’s me. Cain . . . the real Cain. I am back.”
Phebe’s body was rigid in my arms. “I’m gonna let you go. Please don’t scream. Okay?” She nodded her head and I slipped my hand from her mouth.
She turned to face me, blocking the child in the tiny cell from my view. Phebe’s face was pale, and I could see how much weight she had lost. She was still sporting bruises on her face, neck and hands. “You did it,” Phebe said, staring at my clothes. Her eyes glistened. “You took her to them . . . Harmony. You got her out. She is safe?”