When the Hell did you get there? “Didn’t say anything.”

“Your body speaks where your tongue does not.” Abraham chuckled. “Why, your back is stiffer than that board you’re sanding.”

“Guess it’s been a while since I’ve been with a group this large.”

“Is that all?”

No, there was plenty more for her to say, but Evelyn knew what wolves looked like, along with why it was never a good idea to hit them with a stick. “Seems she got what was coming.”

His magenta eyes stared deep. “You don’t believe that, Evelyn. Come now, it’s just the two of us here. Don’t be shy.”

She looked around. The rest seemed to have chased after Bethany with more vile threats. Only Father Abraham remained, as calm and collected as always.

“For all your talk of acceptance and peace, you seem to throw that out the window the moment someone steps outside the lines. What can I say? It’s tough to feel safe when I’m different on a cellular level.”

He stroked his chin. “More than that, one could say that we’re hypocritical to our core, and this is terrifying for outsiders. It is doubly so when you’re forced to hide behind a mask.”

She winced. “I didn’t say that.”

“You don’t need to, Evelyn. You are completely correct in holding that assumption. We are a God-fearing people who follow the Holy Word to the letter. Like the world we live in, it holds as many truths as contradictions, and only through our collective faith can we grasp a fraction of His wisdom. Sometimes, this leads to love and enlightenment. Other times, to hate.”

“Doesn’t it bother you to harm your people this way?”

Abraham smiled. “Again, you call them ‘my people.’ But to answer your question, it pains me every time I see them run astray. It pains me more to know what must be done to bring them back. And it brings me nothing but sorrow to see the rest of our congregation respond with so much anger.”

“All you’d need to do is say a word and everyone would listen,” Evelyn pointed out.

He sighed. “True, but I must temper my own guidance for others when it comes to the greater good. Remember, we aren’t like you anymore, Evelyn. Sin used to bring you a sense of shame and little more, but since the Beholding, Sin has become a measurable, existential threat to our very souls. Oh, sure, I know you still believe it to be material in origin, but this does not matter when compared to the damage to our spirit.

“And this is why we must always strive harder than before. Without an absolute, unshakable faith in the Lord and our fellow Brothers and Sisters, Sin will work its way into our camp. The ramifications will only harm us all.”

“And since you think yourselves to be servants of God meant to bring about His will, you cannot have anyone start to believe otherwise,” Evelyn considered.

“That is correct. We must always be vigilant against Sin, even if we sometimes commit violence to rid it from our camp. There is power in the Lord, but only if you trust in Him without question.” His smile held firm. “But this is all transient, of course. Soon, your daughter – the Chosen One – will return, and then it will only be a matter of time before She ends the Beholding through Her divine power. Our faith cannot falter before this happens.”

If only I could share that belief. Liam and Leah had been missing for so, so long at this point, disappearing into the ether after being chased out by Ezekiel and his friends. If they were destined to return, why couldn’t it happen already?

“I still don’t understand what you expect her to do,” Evelyn said. “She’s just a baby girl.”

“It is not who She is, but what She’ll become. As the only child born free from Sin, Her uncorrupted vessel remains a beacon of God’s purity. When the time is right, She will pour the seven bowls of judgment, absorbing the Sins of the world and purifying them for all mankind. Sinners and heretics alike will not be saved from this act of divine retribution.” His eyes lit up, somewhere between fury and ecstasy. “But through this cataclysm, another world will be born! One in which we retain our immortal bodies, but our souls are no longer subjected to the weight of Sin.” Tears formed. “It truly will be a beautiful sight to behold!”

Her chest tightened. Abraham only became this passionate during his sermons, often feeding off the energy of the crowd. But here, it was just the two of them, which made his zeal more pronounced.

And terrifying.

Evelyn cleared her throat. “So you believe that Leah will be able to absorb the entirety of HBRS into her body and expunge humanity of this illness? Is that how you think the Beholding will end?”

“I think nothing. I know this to be true because the scriptures are clear about what is to come.”

“That’s only because you altered the Bible though,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow. “What makes you say that?”

She clenched her jaw. That wasn’t something she’d planned to bring up. Not out loud. If ever Abraham would turn on her, it would be if she exposed this truth.

She dug her nails into her palm. Couldn’t go back now. “‘For the Lord so loved the world, that He gave us His Chosen One, that whosoever believeth in Her should not become corrupted, but have everlasting life.’”

“John 3:16,” Abraham said. “Someone was listening today.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Except that’s not how it goes. ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life,’” she quoted. “That is the line my father used to say to me, and it is how the Bible really goes. So long as you believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, you’ll get into heaven.

“But you don’t say that in your version, do you? You’ve practically removed all references to Jesus, save for a few key lines that refer to him as if he was some regular prophet and not the Son of God. Instead, you’ve selectively changed verses to suit your needs, down to the point that your ‘Chosen One’ is a girl. My girl!”

“Is that what this fuss has all been about?” he asked, the muscles in his face still relaxed. “Do you think me some charlatan because I shifted a few lines around?”

She couldn’t believe this. “How can you play this off like it’s no big deal? You speak of having an unshakable faith in His word, yet you change it around without the slightest thought.”

“Evelyn, you should take a step back and listen to how foolish you sound right now. Just as the New International Version altered language from the King James Version to be easier to read, so too have I done what I can to speak a more authentic message. If anything, the Holy Word is more closely aligned with the original text than anything you were fed before the Beholding.”

“That isn’t the same thing, and you know it. You aren’t just changing language, but context. The whole message is different now.”

“What is it that you’re really trying to say to me?”

She exhaled. “You’ve let me into your community. You’ve propped me up like I belong. And you’ve done all you can to convince me that this is all part of God’s plan. And yet, it’s been all based on your spin. How the fuck do you think I could ever put my daughter’s life in the hands of someone who picks and chooses how they see the Lord’s message!?”

Only then did Abraham seem the least bit bothered. “Now, now. I know you have always had concerns about this congregation, but there’s no reason to use foul language like that.”

“What does it matter? You can always just change them later.” She chewed her lips. “You know what, Abraham? I’d like to call it a day and go back home.”

He grimaced. “You don’t need to do that.”

“Are you saying I’m a prisoner now? Do I not have free will?”

“Of course you d–”

“Good, then you’ll have no problem letting me walk away. But I will say this: I’m not one of your congregation. I won’t fall for your empty talk, and I won’t entrust you with my family’s safety just because you tell me that it’s destined to be. If you want me to believe everything you say is part of God’s plan, then prove it. Put your money where your mouth is, and show me a true miracle.”

She turned around and stormed off without another word.

“You shall see His power soon enough!” Abraham called out, his tone now sharp. “God is great and accounts for all. Especially you!”

Evelyn kept walking.

She hadn’t planned to go that far, but seeing Abraham not be the least bit concerned was more than she could bear. After all the talk that his people had about proper Christian values… After how rigidly they preached the word of God… And he didn’t care in the slightest that it was based on his lies.

More than anything, Evelyn was ashamed for not seeing her original assassination through. Would she ever have another chance like that? Probably not, especially after that outburst.

It had been so long since she’d connected with God, and Evelyn wanted so desperately to believe that her life had some divine purpose. But there wasn’t, was there? Abraham only used his charisma to fill the void that the Hollowing created, exploiting her like he exploited the rest of the Beholders.

God hadn’t found another messenger. Another charlatan had only taken His mantle as his own.

Evelyn made her way back to the Lodge, her mind a maelstrom and stomach acting up again. Why the hell wouldn’t this sickness go away already?

The familiar marble floors and crystal chandeliers hailed her arrival. She’d have to remember to get in touch with Chantelle. Maybe lying down and watching a couple movies would help clear the pain in her abdomen.

A crew of Hunters barred the way. She’d seen them before, with their matching Scottish kilts and sashes that doubled as bandoleers. “The Last Scotsmen,” they called themselves. As she drew near, their eyes locked onto hers.

“You there,” the lead Hunter said, his red beard flowing free. “You’re the one that’s been going to the Beholders, yeah?”

She sidestepped them and kept walking. “Must be confusing me with someone else.”

He reached for her as she passed, but she managed to slip free.

The Hunter grunted. “Evelyn, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, picking up her pace.

He grabbed again for her arm. “The name’s Kinkaid, and I think you should follow us.”

Evelyn studied his crew. Though none had their weapons out, they kept their hands near pistols and watched her with cold, dead eyes.

“Whatever contract this is about, tell your boss they’re in the wrong,” Evelyn explained. “I have permission to be here.”

He grinned. “Aye, lassie, you do. I still think it would be a good idea if you came our way. Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes, if you catch my meaning.”

She didn’t. “I’m going nowhere with you, and unless you want to have a problem with the Head Huntress when she gets back, then I’d suggest that you leave me be.”

The Hunter grit his teeth, and the others inched forth. Evelyn slowly reached for her own pistol.

“It’s okay!” Chantelle called out, jogging down the hall with all the speed her prosthetic could muster. “I called them.”

“What’s this about?” Evelyn whispered.

“Just trust us. You’ll know soon enough.”

Evelyn chewed her lips and followed Kinkaid’s lead. As much as she wanted nothing more than to turn and run, there wasn’t shit she could do against an entire crew of Hunters in the middle of the Lodge. She was still the outsider, after all.

They led her around the corner, down some stairs, and into the basement. Evelyn’s mind raced as she considered the possibilities. Had her fake rezzer ID been made? Was a boss investigating her? Did Charon tip someone off? There couldn’t have been many bold enough to act inside the Lodge. Why grab her? To what end was she needed?

But then they reached the loading dock, free from prying eyes, and all her questions were answered the moment she entered the room.

“Shit,” Evelyn exhaled. “Where the hell have you been?”

Leah crossed her arms, her burgundy scarf falling free. “Good to see you too, bestie.”