“What you’re asking is difficult,” Rose said. “The offense of heresy is an offense against God himself and requires punishment. Yes, he punished Jesus on our behalf, but that grace isn’t free. You must align to the truth to receive it. And aligning to the truth is best assured if we fear punishment. We fear punishment when we’ve experienced it ourselves. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I understand,” I said.

“Do you?” she questioned.

“I repent.”

“Of course you say you repent. Anyone would. But true repentance only happens in great fear of God’s holy wrath! Do you have any idea just how deep the Fury’s deception runs already? Just a few words from that boy, and now it will take great vigilance to cleanse the hearts of our community.”

“The boy, not Grace, was a Fury,” Andrew said. “I won’t defend her part in this, but falling victim to deception is different from being sin itself.”

I wanted to rush to him and wrap my arms around his neck.

“Would you be so forgiving if she wasn’t carrying your child?” Rose demanded. It was clear she was in no mood to show mercy. She turned back to me. “Do you believe you can align to the truth without being punished?”

I thought about it a moment, knowing my answer could get me killed. “I will do whatever is required to regain my good standing with God,” I said.

Rose considered this, and after a moment she stepped forward until her face was only inches from mine. “I let you into my home, let you watch my children, and in the midst of it all you betrayed me,” she whispered, her tone harsh and cruel. “Hear me clearly, little girl. If you ever betray me again, I will not hesitate to kill you, unborn baby or not. Do you understand?”

I was too terrified to reply with words, so I just nodded.

After another tense moment, Rose stepped back. “The punishment must be severe enough to deter others from even considering deception. We are nearing the end and must be more vigilant now than ever.” A beat. “We will administer the cleansing ceremony.”

I’d never heard of such a thing, but from the somber faces of the council members, I hated to think what it entailed.

“And what of the child?” Andrew asked.

“God will spare the child if it’s his will,” Rose snapped.

Rebecca and Colin shared a glance, then offered approving nods. One by one, the others followed suit. The last nod came from Andrew. My fate was sealed.

“Her mother, Julianna, will also be held to the same standards of accountability,” Rose said. “She lied on behalf of her daughter, preventing us from discovering the truth. In my mind her crimes are just as severe.”

My mother? I almost cried out in objection.