I adjust his suit jacket over the wound, the dark fabric hiding the evidence of our exchange.
"Now be a good disciple and shut your fucking mouth."
Grabbing the papers from him, I tuck them back into the folder on the podium, forcing a smile as the others begin to file into the space. Seth stands there, his face pale and drawn, but he stays silent.
David is the first to enter, his presence casting a shadow over the room. He pats Seth on the back, oblivious to the fear in the man’s eyes. "Seth, how are you?" David asks, moving past me without a second glance. I keep my gaze locked on Seth, watching for any sign of betrayal.
Seth hesitates, most likely calculating his odds of survival, before forcing a smile. "Never better, David," He replies, his voice strained but passable. "Feeling lucky," He adds with a grin that doesn’t reach his eyes.
David turns to me, dismissing Seth entirely, his focus now solely on the task at hand. There’s something in the way Seth looks at him—a lingering stare that David, too self-absorbed, doesn’t even notice.
They’re all going to regret ever knowing David Faulkner.
"Father Briar?" David’s voice breaks through my thoughts, his arrogance practically begging to be punished. "Ready to begin?"
I force a smile, adjusting my collar with practiced ease. "Absolutely."
Seated around the font of holy water, the scene before me looks like something out of a horror movie. Men and women pass around a roster sheet while shamelessly drinking the church’s wine straight from the chalices used for Communion. There’s no respect for the symbolism, no reverence for the blood of Christ they’re indulging in like thirsty mosquitoes draining a vein. Their greedy mouths desecrate the sacred ritual, and the sight of it makes my skin crawl.
It doesn’t take long to register that I’m the youngest person in this twisted group. Seth stays close to my side, his breath shallow and his face pale. I’m prepared to lean over and twist the letter opener I’ve hidden beneath his jacket at the slightest provocation.
I’m here for information.
I’m here to keep Eden safe.
The closer I get to all of this, the easier it will be to bring it all down.
Finding my phone in my pocket, I press the record button, positioning it so it can capture everything. I pray it’s enough—pray I can gather enough evidence to expose them all.
"So, as you all know, Roman has replaced dear Father Kevin and was eager to fill the hole he left behind," David smiles, his expression smug as the others in the group raise their chalices in a drunken toast, their hands clapping in sloppy, welcoming applause.
Sick fucks.
I force a smile, leaning back in my chair with calculated ease. "I’m honored to have you all welcome me with such open arms," I grin, casting a glance at Seth, who struggles to hide his gasps of pain. His face contorts with the effort, and despite everything, I find his discomfort amusing.
"Father Briar holds a special tie to my family," David continues, playing the part of the concerned father. "As you all know, my Eden had another one of her psychotic breaks and nearly caused a scene—"
Hold it together, Roman.
I dig my nails into my thighs, grounding myself against the rage that threatens to consume me. I can’t lose control now. Not here.
"Though Roman has been working hard to instill discipline in her, the line she walks with the Devil has been difficult for my whole family. My son has been my primary focus. My job as a father is to shield him from the dark—"
His words blur together, and it takes everything in me to maintain a calm facade. My mind races with every lie he’s spinning, every twisted truth he’s manipulating to paint himself as the victim and Eden as the monster. The same lies he uses to justify the horrific things he does to both of his children.
They’ll all pay for what they’ve done.
And it starts with David Faulkner.
"But with Eden’s persistent disregard for her faith, I’m especially grateful for the discipline Roman has been instilling in her," David says, his tone dripping with false gratitude. "She’s needed someone to remind her of her place, and Roman’s efforts to steer her back onto the righteous path haven’t gone unnoticed." He smiles, raising his glass toward me. The air around us thickens with tension as he leans in, eyes glinting with malice.
"Which is why tonight, I ask you only one thing," He looks me over as if sizing up an opponent. "Show my daughter the fear of God. Give her a reason to be terrified of His strength," David warns, taking a deliberate sip from his glass. "Or, of course, I will have to do it myself.”
Our eyes lock in a silent battle for dominance, the air between us crackling with unspoken threats.
"Are you questioning my effectiveness, David?" I ask, my tone light, almost amused, though there isn’t a hint of humor on his face.
David’s smile fades into something colder, more calculating. "I’m choosing to believe that you are truly punishing my daughter for her dalliance with the Devil. But if I were to catch wind that you were somehow walking a path of sin with her, well, our agreement would have to change," He says, his voice dripping with thinly veiled condescension. "I’m choosing to believe your outburst with Zack wasn’t born out of a need to protect Eden," He adds, his eyes narrowing.
