Page 184 of Terror at the Gates

When he was finished, I turned to face him.

“For future reference, I’m interested in this, but only if we’re fucking.”

The corner of his mouth tugged upward, and he tiltedmy head back.

“Noted,” he said and kissed me.

Maybe my plan would go off without a hitch and I’d be back in Nineveh within an hour, fucking Zahariev’s brains out.

I wasn’t going to hold my breath though.

As confident as I was when I’d pitched this idea to Zahariev, I was also a realist. Uriah the enforcer was a wild card, and based on the number of potholes he’d hit on his way out of Nineveh, I was pretty sure he hated our guts.

Gabriel had to remind him he had a loaded gun pointed at his back, but I wasn’t so sure he cared. I remained suspicious and glad I’d complained about the tight bindings.

My anxiety reached a new level as we turned, crossing the winding Es-Harra Bridge into Hiram.

At its highest point, I could see the fine points of First Temple’s many spires before they vanished behind a wall of glimmering skyscrapers.

“I hate this place,” I whispered, staring out the window, yet in the last few days, I’d been here more than I’d been in my own home.

“It’s going to be all right, baby girl,” Gabriel said.

I met his gaze. Usually, I believed him when he said things like that. Tonight, I wasn’t as trusting.

Uriah made a final turn and suddenly, First Temple was before us. The light streaming in from the back window vanished, signaling Zahariev’s departure from our procession. He planned to approach from another side, but I hated that he was no longer watching even with Gabriel at my side.

Uriah parked against the curb in front of First Temple. When he exited the SUV, my heart started pounding.Gabriel turned to me. “I love you, baby girl. Don’t let them win.”

“I love you too,” I said.

“Let’s go,” Uriah said impatiently, as he threw open my door.

“Did your balls grow two sizes on the drive over?” I asked, stepping out of the SUV.

He wrenched me by the arm onto the sidewalk.

“Hey, fucker,” Gabriel warned. “I’m watching. I won’t hesitate to paint all this shiny marble with your goddamn brains.”

Uriah slammed the door but stopped jerking me around. His grip was still firm as he led me up three sets of steps, each separated by a short walkway. At the base of the third, the temple entrance became visible. It was surprisingly simple compared to what lay within, bearing the carved outline of a cross.

As we neared, I swore I could smell the pungent odor of anointing oil. I think the archbishop had probably used it so much, it seeped out of every porous surface. Lisk liked to say it was holy, made to bestow blessings upon those chosen by God, but it was really his way of awarding favor or withholding it. The congregation took notice, treating each other the way they were guided—either with respect and admiration or disdain and hostility.

I was never among the chosen, though by the time I actually understood what was happening, I didn’t care to be one of them.

We entered the vestibule, where a statue of Raziel, the archangel of divine law, towered over us, his wings stretching from one corner of the room to the other. His features were severe, his eyes set to peer down at everyone whoentered, not unlike those of Zerachiel.

On either side of the statue, beneath his feathered wings, was a set of doors leading into the sanctuary where I’d spent much of my childhood. Armed enforcers were posted at at each. I was overcome with a feeling of unease as Uriah pulled me through the ones on the right.

The sanctuary was large, with vaulted ceilings that sloped to a point at the very center of the room. The floor was clear. It wasn’t uncommon to arrive at service without seating. It was Lisk’s way of communicating to the congregation that they needed to repent.

Basically, it was punishment, one his following willingly accepted.

It wasn’t the only way Lisk used the environment to control. The silence in this room was what usually got to me. It was the kind that wormed its way into your consciousness and made you feel guilty for existing. I’d found myself confessing to things I’d never done, just hoping to ease the burden, which never worked.

I expected to see Lisk waiting at the altar, but there were more enforcers, two each guarding the aisles. They nodded to Uriah as he passed, guiding me up the steps and to the right.

Suddenly, I knew where he was taking me, and my panic rose anew.