He lets the door swing all the way open and steps aside as Lianne enters and closes the door behind her. Lianne flinches at the sound, I know she’s scared to be alone with me. She has been, ever since I became the Vessel of the Divine. It wasn't like this when we were growing up. No, she was always drooling over me, taunting me with her body and words. I knew she had a crush on me, but when I took the role as the Vessel, something in her shifted. I didn’t see the lustful, teenage eyes that watched me when she came over. No, now she looked at me like she was the prey and I would pounce at any second. I didn't want her, never did, but it was fun to toy with her in front of Eden. The way Eden would cringe at my flirty words, it only let me know she was jealous, that she wished it washerreceiving those words.Little did she know that I felt the exact same way and that I was just waiting to claim her as mine.
I need Lianne. She was the key to all of this, I just know it.
Lianne and Eden have been friends since the day she arrived in Everton, the only other one close to Eden. She had to know something.
"Lianne, why don't you take a seat. We need to talk." I gesture with my hand to the seat in front of my desk and she does as I say.
"Have you found her?" Her head is bowed, staring at her hands with her voice low but there is a small tremble laced in her words.
"No, that’s why I called you in today." I lean my elbows forward, clasping my hands together. "I want to know what you know."
"Wh-what I know? I don't know anything. I—"
"Remember that lying is a sin in the eyes of the Divine, Lianne."
Her throat bobs as she swallows, "I-I don't know where she is, Samuel. I really don't. I am just as worried as y-you are. She’s my best friend."
"Exactly and as her best friend I know you aren't telling me the whole story. What are you hiding from me?"
"N-nothing." She straightens her posture as she looks at me more firmly. Is that defiance in her eyes? "I wish I knew where she was but I don't."
She is lying.
"Thou shall not sin, for sin tarnishes the soul." I let the quote of the Divine Prayer linger in the air.
"I'm not lying or sinning,sir." She was visibly trembling as she continued spewing her lies, but she was putting on a brave face. Lianne is trouble in this community, always has been. Rebelling and taking my Eden along with her. Mr. Wellington never got a good handle on his Chosen bride, I would have to talk to him about how to keep her in line. My father let it go on for too long and I didn't address it, with all the other plans I had for Everton’s future.
"I see." I lean back in my chair, eyes still locked on her. "So you don't have anything that might help me find Eden?"
"No."
I nod slowly as I stand and round my desk, leaning against it and bringing my face closer to hers. "I really hope for your sake that you aren't lying."
"I'm not. I have no clue where she is!" She hisses at me.
I grab her face with one hand, "If I find out you are fucking lying to me," I spit the words at her with a growl, "or withheld any information from me, as your Vessel, I will make sure your sins are known and that your punishment is executed accordingly." Her eyes shut at my harsh tone but I yanked her face closer, "Do you understand?"
"Y-yessir."
I push her face away from me as I release my hand and she slams to the back of the chair, "Good. You may go." I say, standingso she has to brush against me to get up from her seat. She scurries to the door, opening it with urgency. "Oh, and Lianne?" She stops and looks at me over her shoulder, "We will be talking again."
She walks out of the doorway, disappearing from view as Joshua comes into my office. "Have one of my men follow her. Wherever she goes, I want to know. If she so much as sneezes, I want to fucking know about it."
"Yessir." He nods.
"She fucking knows something. Iknowshe fucking does."
5
Elliott
I stare up at the ceiling as the silent ringing in my ears starts again. I shift on the bed and the tray of food that Marcus brought in earlier this morning rattles on its edge. I’m not hungry. I don't feel like there’s any room alongside this knot that’s forming, rolling around in the pit of my stomach. Even just laying here on the mattress feels like too much work. The way I have to tell my muscles to move in order for air to reach my lungs feels like the most exhausting task. Existing is hard when you don't feel there is anything worth moving towards.
It’s been days since I last ate. I drank some water but I left it to a minimum because I know if I drink too much I’ll need to use the restroom. Getting out of this bed isn't an option for me right now. Even with my bladder starting to blare its warning of fullness, I just brush it off.
I turn over and the pain in my stomach roars to life again with more intensity but I squash it down, I've felt worse than this. At least I was feeling something other than the slimy coat of shame that covers my skin.
Hunter and Marcus dressed me in a shirt and a pair of sweats that were way too big for me. I don't remember much about getting undressed, but I’m not about to argue or dwell on it. I was just happy thatthatdress was off. I don't know where it is in this room, but it’s here somewhere, mocking me.
