Chapter 17
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
The sound of the outer door opening sends me scrambling to my feet. Governor James and Governor Nolan march in with Keeper. Keeper unlocks Troy’s cell, then mine, and exits the building again without a word while Governor Nolan pulls me out of my cell.
“Walk,” he orders, when I glance back to see Governor James escorting Troy behind us.
Clouds bruise the sky with deep blue and purple.
I’m only wearing the pair of thin pajama pants and tee shirt that I wore to bed, and the wind makes me shiver.
No one speaks while we’re taken down the hill to the meadow.
There are far more people here than the last time I was pulled onto that platform.
All the makeshift seats are full, blankets have been spread behind them, and many people stand in the back.
They’re all bundled up in coats, talking and laughing like they’re waiting for a show to begin. I suppose they are.
Troy and I are led up onto the platform and the crowd instantly quiets. Governor Nolan and Governor James stand behind us while Keeper walks to the front of the stage. A low rumble fills the sky, and he grins. “It appears nature wants us to get on with it.”
Laughter rings out but is quickly hushed when he begins talking. “It’s with great disappointment that I’ve gathered you here today. I’m sorry to say that Steward Troy has been corrupted and misled by the servant, Sinful.”
“I did it!” Troy shouts. “It wasn’t her. She didn’t know.”
Keeper wears his usual calm expression as he addresses Governor James. “If he interrupts again, gag him.”
“Yes, Keeper.”
“Steward Troy was entrusted with many financial responsibilities for our community, and he used that opportunity to steal and hide money. While Sinful and Troy were supposed to be working in town, they were instead living it up on our dime. At a time when we’re already in a transition, when housing and resources are thin, they were taking food right out of your children’s mouths.
Our governors caught them sneaking around in the woods to hide the cash taken from all of us. ”
I shake my head at Troy when he starts to open his mouth. It’s pointless to argue.
“Now, what should we do with these thieves? Do we exile them?”
Calls of yes, and as he intends ring out. The panic I’m feeling shows in Troy’s eyes when I look over at him. They’ll never free us. Exile means a shallow grave and lies told to the collective.
I see Jane sitting off to one side, alongside Tara, the second wife. Her face is set in a stony expression, and she can’t look at me. She can’t show any dismay without risking backlash.
Keeper holds up his hands. “Excommunication and exile were my original plan, but last night, God spoke to me.” A smile creeps across his face. “And when God speaks, we must always listen and obey. As he designed.”
“As he designed,” they parrot back.
“God reminded me that men are susceptible to sinful women. We gave Sinful a second chance even after her failings. We provided her with a home, fed and clothed her. In return, she corrupted a steward with her evil ways.”
A murmur of agreement runs through the crowd.
“Troy’s faith was too weak to stand against her. He will not find his way back to the right path if he’s tossed into the world. And should we send Sinful out to corrupt more innocent people?”
Like puppets, their heads shake. Whatever he says, they agree. If they brought out a guillotine, or announced they’ll burn me at the stake, I think they'd cheer.
“This was God’s instruction. Troy is stripped of his title as steward. He and Sinful are now servants, sentenced to reside at Redemption Keep until such a time that God tells me they can return to our community. They have stolen from you, and they will be put to work to pay restitution.”
My chest loosens a little. We may survive this after all.
Keeper gestures into the distance where the concrete building stands.
“I know there’s been much curiosity about the new place so allow me to explain.
Redemption Keep was built for just this sort of situation.
We have corrupted members among us who need to be kept separate while they work for their redemption.
This is why Redemption Keep is off limits unless you have authorization.
The corrupted are dangerous, but rest assured they’ll be locked away. As he intends.”
“As he intends,” the crowd says back.
“Their houses will be reassigned to those more deserving. Jane.”
Jane’s head whips up like she was slapped. “Yes, Keeper.”
“You and Tara will gather Sinful’s belongings and deliver them to Redemption Keep. A governor will meet you at the door. Go and do it now. Tara, Sinful’s home is now yours. You may move in today.”
Both women are on their feet instantly. “Thank you, Keeper,” Tara says.
“Steward Michael, gather Troy’s belongings and do the same. You and your wife may have that home.”
“Thank you, Keeper,” he exclaims. He and his wife rush away.
“Now, God forgives and allows us to be redeemed, but that doesn’t mean the wicked escape his punishment. Troy bears fault for his weakness, but the true offender here is Sinful.”
My heart speeds up and my palms start to sweat.
“Governor Nolan, take her to the post. Governor Levi,” Keeper says, nodding to one of the new governors that I’ve never met. “You will deliver God’s justice.”
Governor Levi steps up and holds up a wide, heavy leather strap. My stomach sinks into my feet as Governor Nolan grabs my arm.
“No!” Troy shouts. I watch in horror as he slams his fist into Governor Nolan’s face, then shoves Governor James when he jumps in. “Don’t fucking touch her!”
Two men run up to get control of Troy. They tie his hands behind his back and gag him with a wad of cloth.
Keeper is unperturbed as he looks out at his followers.
“That is what one wicked woman can do. Troy was a good man, a steward and a governor’s son.
It’s a shame.” He shakes his head and then adds.
“Children under the age of thirteen are excused. The matrons will take the young ones to the dining room. The rest of you remain to witness God’s justice. ”
Two men march Troy over to a chair and force him to sit. They stand behind him, holding him down by the shoulders. I try my best not to look as terrified as I am while I’m taken to the post where I was once chained overnight. Troy endured it with me, and he’ll be suffering with me now.
A governor makes me face the post with my back to the audience and then pulls my shirt off. He forces me to hold my hands up where he attaches my wrists to a set of cuffs above my head.
A sudden crack of thunder makes me jump and rain begins to fall. It hits my bare skin like icy needles. When I crane my head to look behind me, no one has moved. All eyes are on me.
Keeper approaches with a smile that belongs to a wolf. Without a word, he yanks my pajama bottoms and underwear down to the ground. “Leave not one inch of her unpunished,” he instructs.
Tears spill over before they ever touch me because I can hear Troy trying to shout through the gag. I know he’s fighting them. I know how much this is going to hurt him as well.
I’m no stranger to pain. My ass has felt a paddle too many times to count, though it’s been a few years now. Still nothing has prepared me for the white hot bite of the leather strap when it cracks across my back. A cry leaps out of me without my permission.
It lands again just a fraction lower, and I yank at the cuffs, desperate to get my hands behind me to protect myself. I can’t. I can’t turn or move or do anything but suffer each strike as they come faster and harder. I dig my nails into the post, my forehead grinding against the rough wood.
The sky opens up, soaking me as the blows keep falling on my raw, wet skin. He paints my back with agony until I hardly feel it anymore. Finally, it stops. I hear Keeper preaching but his words are lost to me. My legs shake so badly, I can barely hold myself up.
The worst is turning to see the expression on Troy’s injured face. The rage and despair and apology that lives there when he’s done nothing wrong.
They knew the perfect way to hurt both of us.