Page 135 of Immortal Bastard (The Order of Vampires)

Try.

She shifted her weight from side to side, her thoughts overly dramatic as she decided she wouldn’t last long in any sort of torture situation.

Dear God, just tell me what information you want and it’s yours! I need to sit!

Several heads turned toward her and Christian’s neck heated.

Fuck. They can hear me?

He had warned her. I’m afraid so, pintura. And that’s eight.

She looked down at her folded hands, attempting to blank her mind. Who’s on first, What’s on second, I Don’t know’s on third. Well, who’s on first? Yes. That’s the fellow’s name. Who. The guy on first. Who.

Christian frowned, as did many of those overhearing her unguarded thoughts. She seemed to be having some sort of mental fit in an attempt to occupy her mind. When everyone returned to the benches, she rubbed her knees. The bishop stood to deliver the sermon.

She could only maintain silence for small increments before her inner monologue ran wild again.

She silently hummed, her thoughts projecting over the bishop’s words. Beer-neer-neer, neer, neer, neer, neer, neer, neernt… Beer-neer-neer, neer, neer, neer, neer, neer, neernt… So, no one told you life was going to be this way. Bop-bop-bop-bop! Your job's a joke, you're broke, you're love life's D.O.Ayyyyy…

Eleazar paused from speaking the sermon and cleared his throat. Several of the females hid giggles.

It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear, when it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year…

The males turned to scowl at such disruptive behavior and the laughter stopped, many of the females blanked their minds and straightened in their seat, but Delilah continued to silently sing, her eyes scanning the rafters and moldings, completely oblivious to the others’ scrutiny.

Delilah.

Her head snapped forward, and she flushed, realizing everyone was waiting for her to quiet her thoughts. She lowered her gaze, repentantly, and the bishop continued with the sermon.

For the next hour she improved her self-control but left much to be desired in terms of silence. He would have to teach her ways to more effectively guard her thoughts before the next service.

After three grueling hours of standing, kneeling, and sitting in mostly silence, the service finally concluded. He usually didn’t find service so tedious, but experiencing it from Delilah’s point of view altered his perspective.

He crossed the room to rejoin her as she stood and rubbed her backside. Several of the other females grinned and greeted one another.

The moment he came to her side, she gripped his sleeve and whispered, “You guys do this every week?”

He chuckled. “No, only every other.”

She blew out a breath and twisted her spine. “It must be nice up there on the chairs.”

She was being dramatic. Immortals might experience slight bouts of discomfort, but rarely did their bodies ache the way she implied. He put his hand on her lower back and steered her toward the doors. “Come, let us break our fast and join the others outside.”

Several tables and chairs dappled the lawn as females carried covered dishes. He was proud to introduce Delilah to the others and eager for her to meet the elders, but she had other plans.

“Oh, there’s Destiny and Cain. Can we sit with them?”

Reluctant to join them, he hesitated. “The elders typically…” His words drifted off when he sensed her disappointment. “Of course.” He led her to the table with her friends.

The females welcomed her with warm smiles while the males looked surprised to see him approach. Fortunately, the eldest Hartzler sister was mated to the bishop, so Eleazar joined them as well.

“I see your mate’s adjusting,” the bishop commented, noting how the females chatted easily.

It made sense she would feel a stronger connection to those who were from the outside world like her. “She’s adapting.”

Eleazar nodded. “She appears much improved from the last time I saw her.” He observed the females, his focus directed mostly to Delilah. “She has much to learn about discipline and self-control. We don’t want her running off.”

It was a level of censure he wasn’t used to from his friend. “Your concern’s unwarranted. I have everything under control.”

“Do you? My mate told me she asked for—”

“I know what she asked,” Christian snapped. “I was there. I’m managing the situation.”

“Very well.”

The bishop moved to sit closer to his wife, and Delilah turned, frowning when her gaze caught Christian’s. She scooted closer, slightly leaning in to whisper, “Are you okay?”

“Perfectly fine.”

“Sister Adriel, join us,” Sister Larissa pointed to an open space on the bench across from the bishop.

His mother glanced at him and hesitated. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

He rolled his eyes. “Mother, do sit down. You’re a terrible martyr.”

She lifted her chin, sniffed, and lowered herself into the seat across from Eleazar. Dane followed, sitting beside her and causing a slight ripple in the energy around the table. Sister Grace shifted to the end of the bench.