Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 180(@200wpm)___ 144(@250wpm)___ 120(@300wpm)
Margarete pierces me with her green eyes. “There is only one true God.”
“Yes, yes, the God of Abraham, a God who birthed three religions. Three groups that couldn’t even agree on the ideals of the Almighty. So these three distinct religions splintered, creating new twigs on the tree. One of those twigs is the little cult you cling to so vehemently.” I wave my hand in the air, already bored with the pending conversation. “I know what they fed you, and unfortunately, your spiritual meal makes me deadly ill.”
Maggie steps back as if I’ve struck her, and I instantly feel like trash.
I move away, walking to the truck. “We gotta go before the search party grows bigger.”
“We aren’t going anywhere with you,” Maggie spits.
I roll my eyes, exasperated. “Neither of you has a phone. No refuge. And I’m confident you lack the funds to last longer than a week. Let’s be clear. If I wanted to hurt either of you, I’ve had ample opportunities over the last fourteen years.” I flick my eyes to Hans. “You might not trust me, Maggie, but I hope you trust Hans. He’ll vouch for me.”
I don’t wait for Hans and Maggie to reply. Opening the cab, I load the truck. I’ve given Margarete the illusion of choice, but I’ll take Hans down, gag her, and put her in the truck if I have to. The idea of using force is repugnant, but there’s no way I’m sending her back there.
Relief washes over me when I hear footsteps behind me.
“Hans,” Maggie pleads. “What about all the warnings about being outside? How do we know he won’t do worse?”
Hans clears his throat. “Because I know him.”
CHAPTER 7
Margarete
We drive in silence, not one word uttered as we sit crushed against each other in the front of Xander’s truck. I force my mind away from the brush of his hand against my thigh and the pull I feel toward him—an attraction that utterly terrifies me. These emotions are fleeting, a reaction to his physical appeal, nothing more. After all, desire is a sin we must bear. Attraction is simply a device used by Satan to veer us from the holy path to God.
Liar. If attraction is a sin, why aren’t you running from the desires evoked by Johannes?
Sensing my worry, Hans gives my hand a reassuring squeeze, his fingers wrapped around mine since we climbed into the truck. I remind myself that he trusts Xander. I attempt a smile to ease his troubles before turning my gaze out the window at the trees zipping past.
I’m unsure how long we’ve been driving, but night gives way to day and settles into night again. The truck finally comes to a halt, and Xander turns off the ignition. He turns to me, his eyes losing their ethereal beauty and adopting a predatory gleam in the dusk. “We’re here.”
Johannes gets out of the truck before placing his hands on my waist and lifting me out. As my feet land on solid ground, I gaze up at the mansion surrounded by never-ending trees.
“This is where you live?” I ask Xander.
Xander shakes his head, moving to the back of the truck to grab my satchel and Hans’ duffle bag. “No. Friends live here. They’ll get you to a safe house.”
Disappointment floods me at the knowledge that he’s pawning us off on others. I’m puzzled by my sadness. I should be glad that he isn’t forcing his presence on us.
My fingers flutter, twirling and twining together. Nervousness sweeps over me and settles heavily in my stomach. I glance at Xander and Hans as they lift the motorcycle from the truck and place it on the asphalt.
Xander catches my eye and smiles, revealing white teeth that gleam in the darkness. “Like what you see, Maggie?”
I quickly divert my eyes before lowering them to the ground. “Your face is hidden. There isn’t much to see. I was just wondering where you’re going?”
“Why, Maggie? Will you miss me?”
His glib tone irritates me. I want to tell him to burn in Hell, but I can’t form the words fast enough, so I simply glare at him.
Xander laughs as he approaches me. I focus on his visible tattoos, cringing internally at the realization that they’ll weigh heavily against him on Judgment Day. He raises one large muscular arm covered with intricate designs and pats me on the head. “Don’t worry your pretty head. I’ll never be far away from you.”
He leans in, his fingers brushing mine as he reaches for my bag. I pull back instinctively, and our fingers tangle in a hesitant dance before he withdraws. The fleeting touch causes a wave of heat to wash over me, leaving me breathless and intoxicated.
Xander’s lips part as if he wants to say something before he shakes his head, leaving me with my belongings. He waves for Hans and me to follow, taking long strides toward the large steps and looming double doors of the mansion.