Page 160 of Serpent In White

And now, the people deserve to know who they’re worshipping.

“I know this won’t be easy to hear,” I speak over all the hushed murmurs of thoughts. “And many of you won’t believe me, or you won’t want to… But you need to know the truth. You need to know… that you’re living in a cult.”

I expect a stream of outraged voices, or at the very least a few gasps. But I’m met with nothing but silence. Even the thoughts are zipped up tight in this moment.

“It’s not a commune, this place,” I keep going, looking over all the suspicious faces. “It’s a cult, and your leader…” I aim my gaze at Darian. “He isn’t what he seems.”

A few faces turn to Darian, eyes wide, some of them wondering why he’s even letting me speak right now.

But Darian just stays quiet with his deep gaze locked on mine, arms crossed over his chest, eyebrow raised in a thoroughly unamused manner. He looks bored, and quite frankly, it’s irritating the shit out of me.

“I’ve been in this place for two days, and already I can see what you people can’t.” I command my voice to come out loud enough, fighting against the quiver. “What you’re incapable of seeing because he’s brainwashed you! Him and his brother.”

My eyes dart to Drake, standing off to the side of the group, propped against a tree, wearing all white linens. He looks like a ghost, or a demon or something. Actually, right now,helooks like the cult leader.

He smirks at me, head slanting to the side.Pesky little rodent, his thoughts mumble. A chill zips up my spine.

I can’t forget the image of him slicing that man’s throat in the clearing. The blood everywhere, all over his arms and face. Or the memory I heard of him gutting his foster father…

I only caught the end of it, so I’m not sure what happened to incite the murder. I know there must have been a reason… There had to have been. Otherwise, he’s just a lunatic serial killer, and that can’t be it.Can it?

“The secrets they’re hiding from you all are staggering,” I speak to the people. “Haven’t you ever wondered why such high security is needed for a place that doesn’t even use money? Haven’t you wondered what they’re really growing in that field at the base of the mountain, what they’re really cooking up in that lab?? Haven’t you wondered why you never see or hear of any intruders on your land? Because they’re there alright! If I was able to make it onto the mountain, you bet your asses others are, too. Which begs the question… what is happening to them?”

A few people finally start to share glances with one another. Their thoughts are considering my words, wondering, at long last, why all of this is necessary. They consider the Field of Influence, the lab, the trading that occurs, all of which is headed up byThe Alchemist.

Darian’s face remains impassive, but Drake is seething. I feel it on my skin, his thoughts like a blazing wrath of fire singeing me. His jaw is visibly clenched, inner voice hissing at me,You stole from me, stray. You’ll pay dearly for that.

Gulping over my sandpaper throat, I decide to keep going. I have them hooked, now it’s time to reel them in.

“And then, of course, your leader. YourHead Priest.” My eyes land on Darian once more. “Five wives yet still no children? Doesn’t make much sense, does it?”

The wives appear worried, peering at one another, then Darian. But to his credit, he doesn’t flinch. He stays planted, fixed in his spot, glaring. Even his thoughts are silent.

“Rhiannon, stop,” Abdiel whisper-shouts at me. I glance down at him, regretting this move a little just by the look on his face.

He’s hurt. I didn’t mean to upset him, but he’s brainwashed, too.Why can’t he see it?

“Abdiel… you’re in denial, too.” I shake my head. “Don’t you see how much he lies to you? Manipulates you…?”

Abdiel’s brows zip together, his teeth sinking into his lower lip as he breaks our gaze. His thoughts are on something that happened last night, or early this morning… Something Darian confessed to him.

My eyes widen.He was involved with your father??!

Abdiel’s gaze snaps up at me, his face freezing in shock.You can hear me?

I nod subtly.Don’t you see it now, Abdiel? Don’t you see how much he’s using you?

Abdiel appears shattered, but he doesn’t deny what I’m saying, or thinking, to him. And this time when I peer over at Darian, he falters. Just enough.

His forehead lines; the face of someone wounded. He’s hurt that Abdiel is questioning him.

This is all so fucked.“I’m not saying this place isn’t wonderful, because it is,” I go on, addressing the crowd, who are now shifting uncomfortably. “It’s a heaven on Earth. But you need to know who you’re following. You need to question their motives, and the things they keep from you. Don’t you deserve to be made aware, when it affects all of you, too?? If not more!”

I gaze about the sea of faces. “Dictatorship is everyone’s least favorite form of government for a reason. This is America, land of the free. Democracy is the right way, for everyone to have a say in what we do. As a community, as a people, you own this land just as much as they do!”

I point a finger toward Darian and Drake. “Make a change. Vote out the King!”

My voice is so loud it echoes through the trees. I watch the intrigued faces, all eyes glued up on me, and for one very brief moment, I actually expect them to cheer.