Into the Light (The Light #1)(59)

Swallowing my objections, I said, “I’ll honor your decision.”

Brother Daniel exhaled. “Very good. I knew you had it in you.” His cheeks stretched with the breadth of his smile.

Confused, I looked back to Father Gabriel.

“Brother Jacob, you truly are a man of The Light. I believe that once this is complete we’ll be able to trust you with even more.”

“Thank you . . . ?”

If Sara had used the same inflection, I probably would have reprimanded her. There was obviously a question mark hanging somewhere in the air.

Father Gabriel laughed. “Well, that wasn’t as pronounced as your wife’s question earlier today.”

I shook my head. “I’m sorry. I’m still processing.”

“Temporary banishment,” he decreed.

Temporary?

I gripped the arms of the chair. My knuckles blanching from my hold. Fuck this! Banishment was death. No one could ever be permitted to leave The Light: not after they worked in the processing plant, not after they knew what we did here, especially not me. I knew about the other campuses.

“Brother, your self-control is impressive. Let me explain. Sara has been seen. She’s developed relationships, not only with you, but also with Sisters Elizabeth and Raquel, as well as Sisters Lilith and Ruth. She’s learning my teachings. Our goal is for her to desire our community and her husband. If I’m interpreting your clenched jaw, the heat in your brown eyes, and the grip you have on that chair, you’ve begun to feel protective of her?”

Consciously I released the chair’s arms, relaxed my shoulders, and loosened my bite. Inhaling and exhaling, I admitted, “I have.”

“Sexual attraction will come. I don’t believe any man is impervious to it, not when he’s been granted a virtuous wife, and she’s been placed in his bed.”

I nodded.

“Beginning tomorrow, Sara will be banished from the community.”

I held my breath.

“For two weeks. During that time the two of you will live out at the hangar, in the living quarters. It’s already been set up with supplies for your stay. The Northern Light needs you to return to your job. Micah hasn’t complained, but we need you.”

I gasped the air as it filled my lungs.

Two weeks. Thank The Light. Two weeks is doable.

“Of course, I’m more than willing.”

“During the two weeks, she’ll only see you, unless a member of the Commission or one of their wives receives permission to visit.”

See?

“Father, she still isn’t able to see anyone.”

His lips pursed and his brow furrowed. With his elbows on his desk, Father Gabriel steepled his fingers. “After one week Dr. Newton will visit the pole barn and remove the bandages. Then, when she returns to the community, she’ll be able to fully appreciate being back and begin a job.”

“Do I understand that she’ll be excluded from service during that time?”

“You both will.”

I sat taller.

“Of course, we won’t go into detail about this to anyone other than the Assembly and Commission, but the followers will draw their own conclusions. Once you return I’ll personally welcome you both back. The correction will be done.”

“As if it never occurred,” Brother Daniel added. “However, Brother Jacob, you will continue to attend Assembly.”

“And begin flights,” Father Gabriel said.

“Sara will be left alone while I’m flying.”

“Yes, it’ll give her time to study my recordings and lament her transgression. Isolation is a powerful tool.”

“Thank you for this correction. I’ll work to bring Sara back to the community a fully active follower and the wife of an Assemblyman.”

“We have no doubt you will,” Brother Daniel said.

Father Gabriel stood. “Saturday, after Commission, you will fly me to the Western Light. I have some business to attend to.”

I did the math in my head. If we left by eleven, by the time we flew there, he conducted his business, and I returned, it would be at least ten o’clock at night. In the Citation X, the flight alone would be three hours each way.

“I’ll have the plane ready. Should I plan for overnight?”

I know the answer I want, but how isolated does he plan on making Sara?

“No. We won’t leave Sara alone overnight, not until she’s back to the community. This punishment is to help her want the community, not frighten her into hating us. I may stay there for a while. If that’s the case, you and Brother Micah can pick up supplies and head back. I’ll know more by Saturday.”

I sighed. “Thank you.”

Now as I drove through the final gate on Friday morning, I took a deep breath. In less than two weeks this would all be done: Sara and I would be part of the community. As a couple we’d be welcomed into The Light.

I smiled at the thought of how well she’d adapted to the pole barn. Yesterday, instead of lamenting her public correction, as Father Gabriel had said she would, she seemed to play house. I’d expected her to sit as she had in the clinic, but she hadn’t. Of her own accord, Sara had used her hands and wandered around. Though I gave her a tour, with independent exploration she again found the bathroom and the kitchen, learned the location of each piece of furniture, and even went up and down the steps to the loft, careful to grip the banister. She also spent over an hour in the kitchen, opening drawers and cabinets, feeling the contents.