Chapters (25)
The voice came from above in the balcony, and all eyes turned upward. It was Daniel’s widow, Mrs. Alameda, who had spoken.
“I’ll take the child and the mother. I will raise the child as my own, and…” She hesitated. “I would seek to rehabilitate the mother. If the Circle will allow it.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd until the judge ordered everyone to be silent.
“You would take the murderess of your husband into your home?” he asked, incredulous.
“Yes. The fate of a woman deceived by a man is a sorry thing.” She glanced toward Mariel. “I believe we have that in common. I see that now. Plus, I am alone, and I think I could help.”
Celeste thought to protest, but what could she do? Mrs. Alameda had been cruel to her, thinking she was one of Daniel’s girls, but that did not mean she would mistreat his child. And while she would save Mariel from the woman’s tender care if she could, she had just stayed her execution, and her sympathy seemed genuine. Surely a life in the house on Gethsemane was better than no life at all.
Celeste turned to the judge as he delivered his verdict.
“I commend Mariel Semyaza into Ann Alameda’s care for the term of her pregnancy. Once the child is born, Mariel Semyaza will appear before the Circle again. If she has been rehabilitated, she will be spared, but if she has failed to show remorse for her actions, she will face the justice she has earned, and her soul shall be delivered to hell. Until that time in the future, no member of this body of Virtues shall interfere. Gentlemen Elect, we are adjourned.”
He slammed the gavel down.
Celeste shivered and pulled her sister close. Mariel had still not made a sound, but she could feel her shoulders shudder, from grief or relief, she was not sure.
“I won’t leave you, Mariel,” she said. “I promise.”
Now Mariel raised her head. Her cheeks were dry, and she calmly disentangled herself from her sister’s arms. “It’s time you let me go, Celeste,” she said. “This next part I need to do on my own.”
“I’ll visit you.”
“I’d prefer you didn’t. At least for a while.”
Celeste felt a strange sensation in her chest, as if some burden had been lifted from her heart, followed immediately by a dizzying feeling of loss.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“I’ll be okay,” Mariel said. She pushed herself to her feet and started toward the bailiff. He stood waiting, Mrs. Alameda by his side. “And Celeste…”
She looked up.
“I know it’s not much, but thank you. And tell Abraxas I thank him, too. And… I’m sorry. For everything.”
And then she was gone, and Celeste was left kneeling alone on the floor.