“Why would they attack Jamie and not you?”

“I don’t know.” Another lie. “Maybe because I ran. I found a cave and I hid there till morning. It was terrible. The screams went on all night.” More lies.

Rose leaned back in the leather chair, eyeing me. “You were lucky.”

I nodded.

“Maybe it’s a sign,” she said.

“A sign?”

“Maybe you were meant to return and be the witness. How did you find Jamie?”

“He was on the main path,” I said, going with her theory.

“Where he could easily be found. And how did he get back to the gate?”

“I don’t know,” I said, relieved to be telling the truth.

Rose nodded, keeping her eyes glued to mine. “So you never once encountered the Fury?”

“Never.”

Another pause. She’d always used silence as carefully as her words.

“You shouldn’t feel ashamed for running, Grace. Fear saved your life. Let’s hope Jamie has learned from this as well.”

“I should have done a better job keeping him accountable,” I said.

“True. And you will continue to pay for that sin. Again, I hope you understand that the road to restoration can be long.”

I nodded, knowing that the stain of my indiscretion would always discolor me.

“You’ll continue to contribute to the Holy Family as before, but know that everyone will be watching you. If there’s a silver lining to this betrayal, it’s the confirmation you and Jamie offer our community. There’s absolutely no more room for doubt in that pretty little head of yours.”

“None,” I said. Another lie, because there was Bobbie, and she’d put some new questions in my mind. What if her claim that I would need her was true? Did I dare rely upon her?

“You were chosen, Grace. Brought into our Holy Family and given the gift of salvation from the Fury along with everyone else. Please do not forsake it. What God gives can be taken away.”

“I understand,” I said. “I’ll never do it again.”

She gave me a shallow nod. “I know how much you love the children, but you won’t be watching them today. You’ll remain at home until it’s time to see Andrew tonight. Use the time to reflect on your denial of God and seek his mercy.”

“I will.”

Rose pushed her chair back and sighed. “This life can be hard on all of us, Grace. But we press on, knowing the inheritance that awaits us. We all learn from our mistakes.” She looked off, thinking, then spoke in a soft voice. “I pray your path is easier than the path I had to take to bring me to obedience.”

Eyes back on me, she wore a gentle, compassionate smile. “You may leave.”

Chapter
Twelve