All that remained was making sure she didn’t drag all of Haven Valley into the depths of hell with her. He would mourn her because she used to be his sister. But now she had given herself over to the devil. If God could kill those in Sodom and Gomorrah for their sin, why would he or any of them offer mercy to one soul who had known the truth only to trample on it?

Can you do what is needed? a voice whispered in his head. Would you set aside your selfishness and do the will of God?

Jamie twitched, unnerved. But he knew the wrath of the Fury all too well. And he had no desire to feel the wrath of God again.

He would do whatever was required.

MY MIND FELT LIKE IT WAS BEING TORN APART, BUT in that chaos I was certain of one thing. If I stood and spoke about love I would die. And my baby would die with me.

“Make your choice,” Sylous demanded.

“Kill her,” Rose whispered.

Sylous turned to her, eyes hard. “What did you say?”

Her voice was strung like a piano wire. “I said kill her!” she cried.

“I could have saved you,” Bobbie said from the place where she still stood, looking on like a disappointed mother. “You did this.”

Sylous scanned the flock at Haven Valley. “And you? Will you fear God and follow his commandments?”

Whispers of “yes” rippled through the auditorium, growing in voices of agreement. But my mind was on Sylous’s last word. Commandments.

A new commandment I give you, that you love one another as I love you. This is how they will know that you follow me, that you love one another.

And there was no fear in love.

Sylous flipped the gun on its end so he was holding the barrel. He turned and held the gun out to someone on my right. I looked up into my brother’s wide eyes.

“Then we’ll let Jamie do what is needed,” Sylous said.

Jamie glanced around, then stepped into the aisle. He walked forward and took the gun from Sylous. Held it unsteadily and slowly pointed it at me.

“Kill her,” Sylous said.

Stand up, daughter. Stand and show them what you’ve seen.

My heart was hammering like a drum and my arms were shaking, but I pushed myself up and staggered to my feet. I faced my brother, who’d taken a step back and was sweating. His eyes were dark and his jaw was clenched, but he wasn’t pulling the trigger. Not yet.