Away From the Dark (The Light #2)(52)

I swallowed my concern. I didn’t want to leave this room, not with Sara out there alone. “Yes, I remember.”

He nodded. “I’d try to be back before Father Gabriel gets here.”

My gaze narrowed. “Father Gabriel isn’t the one who wants to see me?”

Elijah shrugged.

I took a deep breath and looked out toward the congregation and sighed. I felt a little better seeing Teresa and Sara speaking.

The Eastern Light’s temple was on the first floor. This building was quite large and used for many purposes. When I’d first entered The Light, like most voluntary followers I’d spent most of my time in this building. The second floor held offices as well as classrooms for new-follower training. Part of the introductory process was learning and retaining Father Gabriel’s teachings. The third floor had testing centers—individual cubicles where daily examinations were performed. There was constant analysis of a follower’s dedication to The Light before that follower could be assigned to one of the other campuses. The fourth floor had dormitories for new followers and apartments for permanent residents. The Assemblymen and Commissioners’ apartments were in the far end of the building across the street, giving them some privacy.

As I rounded the corner at the top of the stairs for only a brief second, I saw Richards as he stepped in front of me.

What the f*ck?

“Let’s see how you like it, *.”

I didn’t have time to process his words before his fist contacted my jaw, catching me off guard and sending my face flying to the left. Instinctively I reached to the wall. Before I steadied myself enough to retaliate, my arms were seized from behind.





CHAPTER 19


Sara


I couldn’t believe I was in the building I’d watched. Memories of my investigation came back, reviving my curiosity. As I looked around, I contemplated the size of the temple. There had to be more in this building. I wondered what that included. And then I remembered the abandoned school building across the street—the one I’d seen women walk to. For only a moment, I considered asking the other wives what they knew, but then I reminded myself that Sara wouldn’t question.

When I first sat, I had a strange sense about the other Assembly wives making me wonder how we at the Northern Light would react if a new wife came to us. Almost immediately my unwelcome feeling faded as Sister Teresa and the woman on my other side, Sister Martha, seemed to relax and greeted me. Soon the other Assembly and Commission wives were shaking my hand and telling me their names.

Since they were all part of the chosen, I could tell them that I was from the Northern Light. While the followers weren’t as informed, the chosen knew about the other campuses. It was as Sister Teresa spoke that I realized what had facilitated their acceptance.

“Sister Sara, have you thanked God and Father Gabriel for your husband?”

Lowering my eyes, I nodded. “Yes, Sister, I have. I’m thankful he loves me enough to correct me.”

It was a bond—a sick, twisted bond, but somehow, in this f*cked-up world, it gave the women of The Light a connection. For only a moment, I thanked Thomas for the bruise that had opened these women’s hearts. I didn’t want to be here among them, but if I had to be, I was glad we could find a common denominator to keep me from being the outsider.

“How long have you been in The Light?” Sister Martha asked.

“My husband said we’ve been at Northern Light for over three years.”

“Your husband?”

I nodded. “Yes, about a year ago I had an accident. I don’t like to talk about it, but I must have hit my head. I don’t remember anything before that.”

“Oh,” Sister Teresa said, “that must be terrible.”

I sighed. “It was, but everyone’s been so helpful.” I shrugged. “I think I’ve just accepted that my earlier memories weren’t important. If they were, and if remembering them was God and Father Gabriel’s will, I’d get them back.”

“It’s good to have you with us, Sister,” Sister Martha said.

From time to time, I’d try to look about. I searched for the piercing blue eyes in my memory. However, Dylan’s being at service didn’t make sense. He’d never left on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights when we dated. Not that I’d spent every Sunday and Wednesday with him, but I had spent some.

I watched the room as men and women of all ethnicities continued to enter. The sanctuary wasn’t only smaller than ours, it was much older. The walls were painted cinder block, and everything was clean, but obviously worn. The threadbare carpet was in need of replacement. From what little I’d seen and learned, I believed The Light’s money went other places.

Polished wooden beams peaked at the center of the ceiling, and long cylindrical lights hung from cables. Toward the front was a raised stage. Where some churches might have had a choir was the seating area for Commissioners and Assemblymen. I held back my panic as I realized that Jacob wasn’t there. I’d watched him walk in that direction, but as I took in the surroundings, I realized something must have happened. The chair next to Brother Elijah was empty.

I turned, searching for Brother Micah. He wasn’t too far behind me. When our eyes met, he opened his wide and slightly shook his head.

What does this mean? Where is he? Where did he go?