“Giving Christ worship through song,” I said and smiled. It was serene, the first morsel of peace I had had since I was plucked from the protection of the commune. Mae, Bella, Maddie, and I often heard the other followers singing for the prophet during services. All four of us would sing along in the privacy of our quarters, wishing we were outside with the rest of our people.
I was not sure how long we sat in the truck, but I listened to every word of every song until all went silent and a group of people began filing out of the church, someone finally exiting and locking the doors shut.
I watched a happy man walk away humming a song, and Ky cleared his throat. “You ready to get going? We’ve been gone all day.”
I nodded my head in silence, and Ky pulled out onto the now-quiet road. The journey back to the compound somehow seemed longer. The lights from the large vibrant building gradually dimmed and let in nature’s glow. Ky and I did not speak, and he did not play his music. I was thankful, for it would have tainted the glorious lyrical words of praise still echoing in my mind.
My head was a foggy mess as I tried to understand why Prophet David had preached a false message. I questioned whether he was unaware of these faiths beyond the fence, or worse still, this church was a ruse and a way to lure lost souls through its doors, only for those with evil intent residing inside to do harm to an innocent.
Neither of those explanations sat well with me. And that music I had enjoyed was one of the purest, most awe-inspiring events I had ever witnessed.
Before I knew it, we were plunged into darkness on the old country lane, and within thirty minutes, the Hangmen’s concrete square compound hove into view.
Ky retrieved a small black fob from his pocket and, clicking a button on it, the gates began to open. As we rolled through the gates, the yard was quiet and still.
Ky switched off the engine and got out of his door. Just as I was about to pull the handle on my door, it suddenly opened, and Ky reached out to take my hand.
He watched me warily, almost with worry. Accepting his hand, I jumped out of the door, feeling tiredness in every one of my bones.
Ky walked me to the back of the building, to the door that led to my quarters. As we stopped, I looked up into his eyes, and he asked, “You doing okay, sweet cheeks? Had a lotta new things coming your way today.”
Dipping my eyes, I took a deep breath and peered up back up at him. “Thank you,” I said quietly. Ky appeared taken aback. “Thank you for showing me those wonders today. I know it was not what you wanted to do with your time, but it meant very much to me. The church was…” I failed to find any words to do the experience justice. It had called to me, stirred something lying dormant within my soul.
Ky fidgeted on the spot and dropped his hand. Opening the door, he stood by to watch me pass, not saying a word, but as I stepped past, I asked, “Are we to do this again, tomorrow, I mean?”
I could feel the heat of my blush burning my face, embarrassed to be asking this man for more. But today was the first time I felt… the first time I felt… anything in such a long time.
A stunningly lovely smile lit up his face and my knees felt weak. Ky tipped his head and asked, “Is that a request? Or is it ‘cause I’m that fuckin’ hot you can’t wait to get more of me?”
His subsequent wink told me he was teasing me, so I returned the smile, genuinely fighting back a giggle and on this occasion, watched him become unnerved. “Yes, I believe it is.”
Ky’s eyes narrowed as if searching for something in my stare. Then he raked his hands through his hair and said, “I’ll be back for you in the morning.”
Excitement coursed through my veins, and I bowed my head in thanks. “I shall be ready.”
Taking my leave, I bounced up the stairs. As I crossed in front of Flame’s sleeping frame, his eyes flew open and his body went rigid. Seeing it was me, he relaxed, and I quickly entered my room. I had never feared a man like I did Flame. If I were Maddie, I would be unable to sleep with worry of his strange affection for me.
“Lilah!” a voice called from the sofa, and Mae got to her feet, Maddie following behind. “You have returned,” she said with obvious relief.
“Yes. I am back, sisters.”
Mae gazed at me and, hesitantly, enquired, “Are you well? You have been gone a while.”
Moving to the edge of the bed, I sat down and began to remove my headdress, now that I was only in the presence of women. Freeing my long hair from the large pins that kept the blond mass back, I rubbed at my scalp and answered a simple, “Yes.”