Page 46 of A Silence So Divine
The blood in my veins turns to ice, and I attempt to even my breathing. The cool metal of the blade slides along my breastbone until it nestles between my flesh and the thin cotton of my bra.
What would Papa say?
What would Creed say?
What would—
“Enough,” A stern voice interjects, causing the man in front of me to pause.
The voice is familiar, but I don’t dare look. My mind is playing tricks on me. Lowering my gaze back to the ground, I study my toes and wonder where my shoes might be.
“Curran gave me orders,” my assailant shouts over his shoulder, his nasally voice echoing back at us
“I’m sure. Go fetch him.”
God, thatvoice.
“Don’t ruin my fun, Bastien.”
My head snaps up. I know that name. Craning my neck, I could weep when I see who staved off my humiliation. Cecil’s eyes meet mine briefly, but flicker away within a heartbeat.
I’m relieved to see him, but another part of me is all too aware that he’s talking to these men with authority.
“Now,” Cecil demands, leaving no room for argument. It reminds me so much of the way that he speaks to Creed, and my brain does somersaults deciphering what this might mean.
Scoffing, the man before me stomps away and I’m left standing at the head of the room, all eyes on me. Cecil stands in the very back, tossing his chin to get my attention.
“Calm,”he signs quickly, crossing his arms across his chest as soon as he relays the message. I don’t dare try to respond, but I hold his stare.
The door swinging back open has all heads turning. The Reverend returns, eyebrows raised in intrigue and lips forming a soft smile, but the glint in his eyes gives him away. He’s not happy.
“There you are! We missed you this morning, you know.” He walks right up to Cecil and claps him on the shoulder. Hard. Cecil doesn’t so much as flinch.
“Got an early start, figured I would catch up eventually. You know I work best alone.” The tension crackles through the room like electricity. I wouldn’t be surprised if my hair was standing on end.
“So you do,” the old man responds. Taking a step back, he faces me and I avert my gaze. “Why is it that you stopped Percy from questioning our guest?”
I may be across the room, but I can see Cecil roll his eyes.
“Stripping her is hardly what I would call questioning.”
“Yes, well, Percy certainly has…uniquemethods. They have a reputation for being effective.” Curran says through a chuckle. “Now, I’d prefer not to repeat myself, as I’m sure you know.” He inclines his head towards me and motions with his arm, as if telling Cecil to carry on. Outwardly, he appears perfectly patient, but my gut warns me that the unassuming man has an incredibly short fuse, and if it were to blow, I would suffer the greatest.
Cecil clears his throat and strolls toward me, his steps sure and lips lifted in a taunting grin. The reassuring gaze he gave me moments ago has been replaced by something unrecognizable. I’m not sure which of us he’s fooling: Curran, or me. Keeping my eyes trained on him as he shortens the distance between us, I tuck my lips into my mouth to hide the way they tremble.
“What if our little friend here is much more valuable to us alive than dead?” Cecil asks, the smile on his mouth giving his voice a playful lilt. The juxtaposition of his tone to his words only confuses me further.
If this piques Curran’s interest, it’s an infinitesimal amount. “Get on with it,” he replies drolly.
Cecil has reached the steps of the platform, but he doesn’t bother to look at me.
“I believe she could be something of a… tool for us,” he declares, his booming voice gaining the attention of every man in the room. Some have eyes on Cecil, wide with intrigue. Theothers look nervously between him and Curran, like they’re anticipating a brawl.
“You’ve trusted me to serve you as your Reaper, sir, but surely you remember where that name originated?”
“Of course I do. My great grandfather chose that name to make a mockery of the very creatures he hunted.”
“And when was the last Reaper sighting recorded?” Cecil asks casually, picking at a piece of lint on his shirt.
