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There was something new and sharp in Ronan’s eyes again, jagged and dangerous.

“Why?” Ronan asked harshly, and I realized he knew now.

“It’s his sister,” Bee said.

“Put that knife down,” he ordered.

Wrenching it away from Bee, I dropped it with a clatter.

“Pray,” she said.

Everyone was watching as she dragged me out from behind her, the horrible bitter foam still spilling from my mouth.

The Prophet looked at his Helpmeet, the world hovering on the knife edge of what a hard, cruel man would give his wife, and then he did, raising his arms to the sky.

O Allfather

Hear my prayer

Give me power

I cast out demons in your name

I rebuke them in your name

They have no power here

With the force of my will, my piety, I call them out of this woman

Leave her now!

There was something getting forced into my mouth again, and I began to chew it. It was another leaf, and for a moment I thought nothing was going to happen and Rhyder and I were going to die here.

But then the soothing relief of the plant began to settle on my tongue and I spat on the ground as the foam began to dissolve.

“Demon-rebuker,” his people breathed.

“Forgive her,” Rhyder said, his big arms out in entreaty, “Kill me instead.”

“Stay back,” Ronan snapped.

“She would never—” Rhyder cried, looking over at me, his eyes shadowed over and sliced through with pain. “Temperance wouldneverhave put a knife to your Helpmeet. It must have been a devil.”

“I’mwellaware of that, Holy Warrior,” Ronan said sharply. “Come here, Bee.”

I saw her bite her lip and hesitate a moment, and he held his hand out.

“Do not make me tell you again.”

“Please,” she said, taking a tentative step toward him, and I saw her tighten hands in her skirt. “Please.”

When she had taken two small steps toward him, Ronan grabbed her by the back of the throat and, as the thirsting Congregation stood waiting in a circle behind him, he swiped his finger across Bee’s neck.

I felt dizzy with panic.

A bit of blood sprang to the skin.

“Ronan—” she began.