“Did he hurt you?” she asked, her voice grave.
“No. Of course not.”
“There is always that possibility,” she said. “Deirdre informed me that I should expect to be beaten.”
Rage flashed through him, which he stifled. “What did you say when she told you that?”
“Nothing.” Instead of hanging her head, she lifted her chin and locked her gaze with his. “Because there was nothing to say. Jack, you know I want out. We’ve got to start making plans immediately. They’re fitting me for a wedding dress.” She took a deep, shaky breath, crossing the last few feet between them. “I need to know if you will really help me escape within the next few days.”
Heaven help him, he could only blink. “You’re serious?”
“I am.” She seemed poised on the balls of her feet, as if she wanted to either leap into his arms or run away. “And as you know, I really don’t have much time.”
“Come here,” he said, his voice gruff as he held out his arms. When she flung herself toward him, he caught her and held her close, breathing in her scent. “Sweetheart, you need to be very, very certain. Life isn’t always easy outside, but I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”
She looked up at him, her eyes shining. “Thank you.”
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Yes. I’m positive. I can’t be what they want me to be. I don’t want to live like that.”
Though he wanted to kiss her more than he wanted to breathe, he didn’t. They both needed to keep their heads clear to deal with what lay ahead, especially him. He realized he could trust her the same way she did him. That would have to be enough for right now.
“Take a seat,” he told her, gesturing at the fallen log. “And let me fill you in on the real reason I’m here.”
She listened silently while he told her about Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett and their missing son. When he got to the part about his talks with the three children in Rachel’s class, she nodded. “She’s been talking to me about them. She’s worried, too.”
When he finished talking, he noted she didn’t appear surprised. “Do you think there’s a possibility I’m right and they’re bringing infants in from outside?”
“Stealing babies? It’s something that’s occurred to me a few times.” She hesitated. “Actually, I’ve wondered if I was one myself. I’ve always had memories that don’t fit in with the way of life here.”
He stared. “Really?”
“Yep.” Lifting one shoulder in a quasi shrug, she grimaced. “I convinced myself I was just being weird. Now, I’m not so sure. It’s a very real possibility.”
“Do you have proof?”
“No,” she admitted.
He remembered her saying something once about seeing his file. Reminding her of this, he asked her if she knew where COE kept the main files on everyone in the cult.
“I hate that word,” she said, wincing. “We’ve been taught from childhood that we aren’t a cult. As for the files, I’m not sure. Wherever they’re kept, you can bet they’re under lock and key. That’s information Thomas and Ezekiel wouldn’t want getting into the hands of the general public.”
“That’s for sure.” He thought for a moment. “Do you have a library?”
“A what?” Clearly the word wasn’t in her vocabulary.
“A place where books are kept.”
“What kind of books?” She tilted her head. “Do you mean textbooks for the children or extra copies of the Volumes of Choice?”
Was that the only book they were allowed to read? That would explain how Ezekiel kept such a firm hold on them. No TV or radio, and now no books. “Fiction?” He tried anyway. “Or reference materials? Books of poetry or photography?”
Her blank look told him she had no idea what he meant. “Never mind,” he said. “Let’s try another direction. If someone comes into your clinic and you need to look at their personal file, what do you do?”
“Look it up on the computer in Dr. Drew’s office,” she answered quickly. “We each have a special code to put in and that lets us into the database.”
He felt a little thrum of excitement. “Do you have a computer at home? Like a laptop?”
Her laugh told him she thought he was joking. “Of course not. The only computers are where they need to be—at places like the clinic that need them. What would we do with something like that at home?”
“It’d be easier not to tell you.” He thought for a moment. “Can you look up those three kids tomorrow at work?”
“Sure.” She didn’t appear worried.
“Does anyone monitor what you do on the computer? I want to make sure you’re safe.”
“I don’t know. The subject has never come up. But Rachel has access to a computer, too. Since she’s their teacher, wouldn’t it make more sense to ask her to do it?”
“Rachel doesn’t know. And I’m not sure I trust her enough to fill her in.”
“I trust her,” Sophia said. “I’ve known her all my life. She’s my best friend.”
“I understand.” He had to ball his hands into fists to keep from touching her. “But for now, please don’t say anything to her about what we’ve discussed, okay? We can’t risk it.”
Slowly she nodded. “I understand, so I won’t say a word. But I should let you know, I do plan to tell her goodbye before I leave. Even if it’s at the last second.”
“That’s understandable.” He wanted to kiss her almost as much as he wanted to breathe. “Maybe I can get her to let me take a peek at her computer.”
“Do you even know how to use a computer?” she asked. “I can show you if you’d like.”
He hid a smile. “We have those outside,” he told her. “I’m actually pretty handy with them.”
“Oh. Well, if you want, I can try to pull their records tomorrow.”
Considering, he shook his head. “Hold off. I don’t want to take the chance of someone noticing and getting you in trouble. Let me see what I can work out with Rachel before you go risking your job.”
“I want you to be careful, too.” She pushed to her feet and crossed to him. He stood absolutely still, afraid to move, while his heart hammered in his chest.
Leaning in, she kissed his cheek, the warmth from her breath tickling his ear. “Promise me you won’t take any unnecessary chances.”
Too close, he shuddered. Unable to keep from touching her, he settled for squeezing her shoulder, letting his hand linger. “I’ll do my best. But I’ve got to find out about the children. Even if the Bartlett boy isn’t here, if those others were stolen from their parents, they need to be reunited and the practice stopped.”
“It’s illegal, isn’t it?”
“Yes. If COE has really been abducting children, there will be charges against them. Ezekiel and Thomas and whoever else might be involved would be facing serious jail time.”
Her grimace had him searching her face. “It’s wrong, Sophia. What if you were abducted as a baby? You might have parents, people who care about you and have been searching for you all these years.”
The look of anguish in her eyes did him in. Despite his promise to himself, he pulled her close, smoothing her hair away from her beautiful face and wishing she was his.
Dangerous. Before he did something foolish, he let her go. “You’d better head back,” he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Before you’re missed. I’ll go later, just to make sure no one figures out we were together. That kind of trouble we don’t need.”
She nodded. “When do you want to meet again?”
“I want to make sure it’s safe. How about tomorrow evening? Here, around the same time?”
“As long as no one sees us.”
“I feel confident they don’t watch beyond
the perimeter. As long as we arrive separately and from different locations, I think we’ll be fine. Just to be sure, I’ll leave the compound farther south, then loop around once I’m in the forest. You just come directly here.”
Again she nodded. As she turned to go, she opened her mouth and then closed it. “Be careful,” she finally said. And then she was gone.
* * *
The next morning when Sophia went into work, Dr. Drew waited in the reception area. Since this had never happened the entire time she’d worked there, Sophia stopped short. “Good morning,” she said, registering the solemnity of his expression.
Instead of replying in kind, he nodded. “Sophia, please take a seat.” He gestured at one of the chairs.
Puzzled and a bit worried, she sat. “Is Ana all right?”
“She’s fine.” His frown deepened. “Sophia, I’m afraid I’m going to have to let you go.”
Whatever she’d been expecting, it hadn’t been this. “What? Why?”
“Ezekiel doesn’t want you working here any longer. And Deirdre has informed me that you’ll need to begin your training.”
“My what?” Tension coiled in her belly, making her feel ill. “I just spent the day with her and she didn’t mention anything about training. Training for what?” But before she’d even finished speaking, she knew.
“Training to be Ezekiel’s wife.” Dr. Drew’s answer confirmed her thoughts. He scratched the back of his head and shifted his weight from foot to foot. “He requires this of all his wives.”
Numb, she manufactured a smile as she nodded. “I didn’t know. Did Deirdre say where I’m to go instead of here?”
“No. I’d suggest you return home and wait. I’m sure she’ll be sending someone for you soon.” He gave her a kindly smile that she could have sworn contained a trace of pity. “Now go ahead and collect your things. I’ll have to ask you to turn in your key before you leave.”
It only took her a few moments to gather up her belongings. A coffee mug, a potted plant and a framed photo of the sunset Dr. Drew had given her for her fifth work anniversary. Tears stung her eyes as she walked through the clinic one last time. The leaving was bittersweet, because even if she hadn’t been forced out of her job by Ezekiel, she would have been leaving anyway. Just not so soon.
As she walked toward the front door, she remembered her key and detoured by Dr. Drew’s office.
He cleared his throat awkwardly when she entered. Removing her key from the small ring, she placed it in front of him on his desk. She decided not to mention she was keeping a second key she’d taken when she’d worried she might lose the first. “I’ve enjoyed working for you,” she said.
“As I’m sure you’ll enjoy your new position of honor as wife of the Anointed One.”
“Of course.” Her answer came smoothly, surprising her. “I hope Ana arrives soon, so I can tell her goodbye.”
He shrugged. “She should be here at any moment. If she’s not, I’ll tell her for you.” He seemed nervous for some reason. “Let me walk you out. I really think you should go.”
Then he stood and led the way toward the front door, and she wondered why he appeared so worried. Had Ezekiel threatened him, too? If so, why?
As they reached the entrance, he held the door open for her. Once she’d stepped outside, he followed her, glancing both left and right before leaning close. “You’ve been a great employee, Sophia. Just be careful, okay? Don’t do anything foolish.”
Was that a warning? Before she could respond, he turned around and went back inside, closing and locking the door behind him.
Since there was no sign of Ana yet, Sophia debated waiting for her and decided to go home instead. Juggling her mug, plant and picture, she headed that way.
When she got there, Rachel was in the kitchen, packing her lunch for the day before she left for work. She shook her head when Sophia told her the news, but was careful not to say anything even remotely negative. The night before, Rachel and Sophia had searched the entire house, looking for anything that might indicate they weren’t paranoid and were actually being spied upon or listened to, but they hadn’t found a single thing. Of course, they had no idea what they were looking for, either.
“Would you like to walk with me toward school?” Rachel asked, meaning so they could talk without fear of being heard.
Sophia almost said yes, but then she remembered that Deirdre would be sending someone for her. “I don’t want to be gone when whoever is coming to get me arrives,” she said, letting her regret show. “We’ll catch up at the end of the day.”
Hopefully. But first, she had to meet up with Jack. If she could. She wouldn’t be surprised to learn she was supposed to move into the big house prior to the wedding. If that happened, escaping would be much more difficult.
Chapter 13
Deirdre herself knocked on Sophia’s front door thirty minutes after Rachel left for work. The older woman, accompanied by two large men wearing all black who appeared to be her bodyguards, swept inside. She looked around dismissively before settling her pale gaze on Sophia.
“Are you happy you don’t have to work anymore?” Deirdre asked, clearly expecting Sophia to jump for joy.
“Of course.” Sophia knew better than to answer with the truth. She also knew better than to ask what was on that day’s agenda.
“Pack all your things,” Deidre ordered. “And do it quickly. I’ll wait here until you’re finished.”
Sophia’s heart sank. Now what? Though she found doing so nearly impossible, she managed to keep her mouth shut as she pivoted on her heel and went to her room.
As she threw her clothing into a duffel bag, she told herself this was a good thing. Being packed would make for a much more efficient leaving. Except the only reason Deirdre would ask her to pack would be if she were being sent to live in Ezekiel’s house, which would complicate things.
Finally she thought she had everything. Hoping her expression didn’t reveal her worry, she hefted her full bag and went back to the main living area.
“That’s everything?” Deidre tilted her head toward the bag.
Slowly, Sophia nodded.
“Good. Larry, take that from her.”
One of the big men stepped forward, holding his hands out. Once she’d handed everything she owned over, he lifted it to his shoulder as if it weighed nothing.
“Take that to the residence,” Deirdre directed. “Sophia and I will be there later.”
“‘The residence’?” Sophia repeated, realizing too late that she’d managed to ask a question.
“Of course.” Deirdre didn’t seem offended. “Tonight we women are having a little ceremony. We do this for every new wife-to-be, at my instigation. Since you’re going to be starting a new life, we have a symbolic ‘letting go’ ceremony.” Deirdre winked. “Some women find it quite shocking but others have said it’s liberating.”
Confused and worried, Sophia swallowed, hoping the other woman would tell her what she meant.
But no, Deirdre apparently decided she’d said enough. “Come along,” she directed. “We’ve got things to do and people to see.”
Try as she might, Sophia couldn’t seem to get her feet moving properly. There was one thing she had to know, so she decided to risk punishment and ask. “Will I be coming back here?”
Instead of answering, the first wife held up her hand. “No more questions. Let’s go. I don’t want you to be late for your appointment.”
Over the course of the next several hours, Sophia found herself shuffled between various women who were intent on making her into something she was not. Preparing her, as one of the women said. She was shuffled from one room to another inside a wing of Ezekiel’s house. She had what they called an exfoliating body scrub, a massage, a facial, a manicure, pedicure and a sauna that made her fee
l ill from the heat. Then she was made to shower and sit still while someone else cut and styled her hair.
Finally, nails buffed and polished, skin glowing, she clutched the white robe she’d tied at her waist and eyed herself in a large mirror, barely recognizing the woman gazing back at her.
And they weren’t finished.
“Pay attention,” Deirdre barked. “Simone here is going to show you how to apply makeup. You’ll be taking the products with you and be required to use them, so you’d better pay attention.”
For the next thirty minutes, Simone slathered stuff on Sophia’s face. Something called foundation and powder, then blush and eye shadow. Her brows were darkened and her eyelashes curled and coated with mascara. “It’s important to do the mascara more than once,” Simone said. “Now look! How beautiful are you?”
A stranger peered back at her in the mirror. Oh, she knew it was her from the heart-shaped face and dimple in her chin, but still. Her brown eyes appeared huge, framed by long and sooty lashes. Her lips were colored in some reddish pink that highlighted their bow shape.
All the other women oohed and aahed, telling her how pretty she looked. Personally, Sophia felt she appeared garish. Like one of the clowns in the children’s stories they’d read to her as a child.
Deirdre entered the room and everyone fell silent.
“Let me see,” she ordered, pushing her way through the others. When she caught sight of Sophia, her lips thinned and her eyes narrowed. The makeup artist audibly caught her breath, clearly terrified that the first wife wasn’t pleased with the results.
“Perfect!” Deirdre declared. “You made her look exactly the way Ezekiel prefers. Sophia, did you pay attention? You’ll need to be able to recreate this look whenever you’re required to.”
“Yes,” she said firmly. “I listened. I’m sure I can do this again.” Though if she had her way, she never would. The sooner she could get away from this madhouse, the better.
“Perfect. Now we need to outfit you for tonight.” Deirdre snapped her fingers. Two women rushed off, returning with a rolling clothes rack full of dresses of every color. Most of them looked a lot shorter than those Sophia was used to wearing.
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