I cautiously nodded my head. Judah and I followed the men toward the mill. Silence reigned as we approached. The man Judah had spoken to unlocked the large mill door. In a matter of seconds he pulled it wide open. Dim light from oil lamps spilled onto the dirt road and we all stepped inside. At first I could see nothing but an empty old mill. Then, at the back I could see a young girl holding a gun at someone tucked behind a wooden partition.
Lord, I thought. The girl looked all of thirteen or fourteen, maybe? And she was one of ours; dressed in the commune’s uniform gray dress and white headdress.
The paid men turned and smiled. “Refused to move for even a second. Said she was a soldier in the holy war, and that she would keep her post until you guys arrived.”
I narrowed my eyes on the girl, trying hard to recognize her. I could not, but when I turned to Judah, he was watching her. Watching her like she was his everything. Like he used to look at Phebe…
No…
“Brother Judah.” The female voice came from the young girl. When I moved my attention toward the back of the mill, the young girl came running toward Judah and immediately wrapped her arms around his waist. Judah’s arms circled her back and he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
My heart sank as I looked at my brother, my twenty-four year old twin brother who pushed the girl back and smash his lips to her mouth. I watched in shock, only for him to break from the kiss and turn her to me. Her blue eyes immediately dropped and she bowed her head. “Prophet, I am honored to meet you.”
My gaze snapped to Judah who was smiling proudly. “This is Sarai, brother. My consort. Is she not beautiful?”
I had no words in response, and Judah stepped closer. “She has been integral to my plan, to my surprise for you.” Judah reached out and took Sarai’s hand. “You did well, my love.”
Her blue eyes sparkled at my brother and then her lip curled. “They are whores. All of them. The men they reside with, the devil’s men, they are impure, sinners of the worst kind. I felt sick the entire time I was with them. But I kept strong for the cause. I kept focus on our plan. And they never doubted me for a second.”
Judah kissed her head and with his arm around her shoulders, promised. “They will be exorcised of their misgivings when we return home. They will be punished, and you will be praised. Just wait until our people hear of what you have done for them.”
I listened to Judah talk to Sarai. And I watched as he led her forward toward the wooden partition. But all I could hear in my head was, They are whores. All of them. The men they reside with, the devil’s men, they are impure, sinners of the worst kind…
No, I thought, as my heart slammed in my chest. He would not go against my orders. He did not go in and retrieve them, not until we were strong, not until we were ready; surely he did not—
“Brother, come,” Judah said, smiling at me as he stood looking behind the partition at someone. “I have something you need to see.”
My legs felt as though they were carrying dead weight as I walked forward. And as I passed the wooden partition, I heard a gasp and my eyes snapped to the left.
My breathing stilled when I saw her, and my pulse took off like a bat out of hell in my neck. She looked exactly the same. Long black hair, the purest and palest of white skin, and ice blue eyes. Eyes that were abnormally wide as they stared up at me now.
And it felt like it was just yesterday that I’d seen her. Felt like just yesterday when we had sat together in my room, watching movies and lazing on the couch.
“Mae,” I whispered, as I took a step forward.
But Mae flinched at my movement, and the sisters at her side curled further into her. It took me a moment to realize that they were all terrified. That Mae was fearful of me.
Me.
A hand clapped on my shoulder and Judah stood by my side. I saw Mae look from Judah to me and back again, as though she could not believe what stood before her. “This is your gift?” I asked Judah, quietly. “You retrieved the Cursed from the Hangmen, without my permission?”
Judah’s hand became iron tight and I heard his quick inhale of breath at the tone of my voice. “You need a wife, brother. And I knew you would only take her,” he pointed to Mae and bit out, “Salome. The destined wife of the Prophet.” Judah sighed, but added, “I know you said to wait, but we are protected by God. And you need a wife.” He pointed at Mae. “You need her.”
Mae’s eyes closed as she heard those words, and I stepped forward again, shrugging off Judah’s hold. “Leave us,” I said to Judah and Brother Luke, who had been waiting behind us.