“They doubt that narrow way,” Rose snapped. She knew she’d spoken too harshly the moment the words had left her mouth. “Forgive me, I misspoke.”

“The truth of how you feel is written inside your heart. I can see it clearly,” Sylous said tenderly. “There’s no need to raise your voice.”

“I’m . . .” She was exposed before him, as always. Naked. It was she who doubted as much as Jamie had. Not doubted the Fury, but that they would survive the Fury.

Sylous moved closer, holding her gaze. “They’ve handed you the opportunity to reignite faith.”

“They make others uncomfortable.”

“Good. Perhaps some have become a little too comfortable in this safe haven. It needed a good shaking. You might even say it was by design.”

“You knew the boy was sneaking beyond the perimeter?”

Sylous said nothing, which was answer enough. How could she have doubted after so many years under his guidance?

“I wish you would tell me these things,” Rose said. His enigmatic way sometimes bruised her heart and cracked her ego. Why didn’t he trust her?

“I’ve offended you,” he said.

Rose swallowed and dropped her eyes to his feet. She watched his shoes cross the distance between them, stopping only a foot from her. She felt his warm fingers brush her chin, and she closed her eyes as the touch sparked new life inside her chest.

“I never intended to hurt your feelings, my love,” Sylous said as he drew his fingers along her cheek and back behind her ear. Rose inhaled desire as he traced the outline of her face. Her heart beat out of rhythm. Her skin tingled. Awe of Sylous had quickly turned to love long ago. He was her truest companion, the one she dreamed of and longed for.

Next to God, Sylous had become her everything.

“Everything I do is for you and this safe haven you’ve built for me,” Sylous said. “Do you doubt that?”

“No,” she whispered.

“Have I not always come to you in your time of need?”

“Yes.”

“Did I not provide you with enough power to change the world?”

“Yes.”

“Did I not commit myself to your protection?”

“Yes.”

“Have I not always been faithful to you?”

“Yes.”

“And yet you still doubt me. What you don’t fully understand is that I need you as much as you need me. I live to see you safe. Your destruction is my destruction. I have given myself over to your salvation.”

Rose looked up, taken aback by his confession. She reached up and wrapped her fingers around his where they lay on her neck. “You have?”

“Yes. Nothing matters except your safety. I could see the Holy Family’s faith waning after so many years, and I saw an opportunity to reaffirm their certainty of the terror beyond these protective borders. Even the most faithful need to be reminded of what’s at stake.”