Page 9

Samuel

“Tell me Abigail…” I walk to where she sits in the wooden chair, arms strapped to the arm rest as I look down at her. “How does my ‘wife-to-be’ just vanish out of thin air? The very air you were supposed to be in?”

“S-sir, sh-e needed some air after the cleansing ceremony–” her breath catches in her throat, “I was trying to give her what she needed. I helped her into the bath and then left to prepare for the bonding–”

Joshua drags the belt out from his pant loops before wrapping it around her neck, yanking it back, forcing her to look straight up at me. Tears stream out of the corner of her eyes as the belt digs into her skin further. Her eyes scan my face which I keep neutral as I watch her squirm.

“Lying is a sin the Divine frowns upon, Abigail. ”

I watch the way her throat bobs against the belt as she swallows hard, “I swear, sir.” Her eyes dart over my face as she speaks.

Liar.

“You should know by now that I know the truth. Always. So why lie, Abigail?”

“I’m–” her words are cut off as Joshua tightens the leather strap further, “not.” The last word comes out strangled as her airway is restricted.

Abigail was the last person to see Eden that night.

No one else was allowed in so she has to know something…

anything to help me get closer to getting her back.

And I was going to get her back even if I had to burn down Everton to do it.

Abigail was going to tell me every speck of detail from that night.

Someone was hiding, secrets were being kept from me, and I will find them. Nothing would remain hidden when it came to my Eden.

I walk to the table adjacent to the chair Abigail is on, “The Divine needs you to repent for your sins.” I seize a blade from the many that line the surface and return to where I was before.

“I might not have solid proof, but I know you had something to do with this. You know more than you are letting on.” I hand Joshua the blade, “We will find out and you will talk.” She shakes in the chair, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

“Until then, you won’t be given the privilege to speak. ”

A cry struggles to leave her lips as Joshua drags the blade across her cheek.