Page 15 of Song of the Dark Wood

If that was true, why hadn’t Mrs. Teverin warned her this would happen? She’d prepared Rowan for likely scenarios with the Wolf. She’d learned how to please any appetite the Wolf might possess, but never once had anyone suggested that she’d be subjected to a final—apparently physical—inspection by one of the elders.

“Ah, you’re just trying to be obedient, I understand. Mrs. Teverin doesn’t tell the girls so that we can ensure that they’ve complied. It’s about free will and a test of character,” Elder Garrett said. “We need to know that our Red Maidens are chasteand pious without the threat of being found out. Choices matter, Rowan. You have free will.”

She nearly laughed at the idea of choice. As if she’d ever had a choice to be something other than what she was. She would have chosen anything else.

“You could have easily experimented with a boy from the village by now,” Elder Garrett continued. “You’re twenty years old, and it wouldn’t be unheard of for you to experience urges. You’re a beautiful woman and a commodity. I’d be shocked if men hadn’t propositioned you by now.”

Rowan shook her head. “Sir, I assure you. I’ve never done anything like that.”

Elder Garrett caught her trembling chin in his hand. “While I’m sure that you’re telling the truth, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I took you at your word. I wouldn’t be doing my duty to the Mother and the people of Ballybrine if I didn’t make absolutely certain. Now, I need you to take off your dress.”

Rowan cringed. Only a man like Elder Garrett would think that his duty to the Mother required violating her.

“Sir, I really don’t think that Mrs. Teverin would want me to. She was very emphatic that I shouldn’t let any man touch me or see me in any state of undress. If this is some kind of test, I?—”

Elder Garrett squeezed her chin harder. “Consider this a test of your obedience to your elders. Now stand up and take off your dress so I can inspect you. I won’t touch, but I need to look.”

Rowan stood slowly and clumsily tried to work the buttons on the front of her bodice. The elder’s hungry gaze burned into her, and she closed her eyes to shut him out. When she reached the bottom button, she dropped her hand, bunching her fingers nervously in the fabric of her dress.

“Open your eyes and hold your dress open so I can see,” Elder Garrett said. He took a step toward her, and she instinctively stepped back, bumping against his desk. The room suddenly feltmuch too small, and she wished she was anywhere else. “Rowan, hold your dress open so I can inspect your breasts—and open your eyes. You’re making this more difficult than it needs to be.”

She swallowed, but she couldn’t bear to open her eyes.

“Fine,” Elder Garrett barked. “Your hesitance is defiance. I’m going to need to do a physical inspection to be sure. Come here.”

Rowan’s eyes shot open, and she stared at him. “Sir?”

“This is insane. Don’t do that,” Cade snapped.

She looked at the demon desperately, her hand clutching at the gaping neckline of her dress, unsure what choice she had. She couldn’t exactly storm out in such a disheveled state.

“What does the examination entail?” She hated the way her voice shook.

Elder Garrett smiled. “The Mother will give me the vision to see what I need to see—any sins.”

Cade laughed. “No way, Rowan. Run! Get out of here! There’s no way the Mother would sanction a creepy man looking at a young virgin to make sure she’s pure. Ask him how he knows what the Mother wants.”

“How—how do you know the Mother wants that?” Rowan asked.

Elder Garrett’s brow drew in, and his face pinched. “You dare to question me, girl!”

He backhanded her so fast she landed in a heap on the floor. She sat up, rubbing her smarting jaw.

“Kneel,” Elder Garrett gritted out.

Rowan met his gaze with barely contained fury. She forced herself to kneel.

“Pull your dress open. You should be grateful I’m willing to do this. I am a prophet of the Mother, and you’ll do whatever I say, whenever I say to do it.”

She choked down the shame as her hands came to the top of her dress. She couldn’t get them to move. Elder Garrettswallowed hard as he watched. Rowan trembled so violently she worried she’d pass out.

“Look at me,” Elder Garrett commanded. She blinked away humiliated tears as she met his eyes. “This is between me, you, and the Mother. Even if you tell someone else, they won’t believe you. You’re nothing but death’s whore. Now open your dress.”

Rowan was frozen in terror.

“No way! Don’t do that, Row! This is too messed up, even for me,” Cade said. “Tell him the Mother is speaking to you, and she’s angry.”

“S-s-sir, the Mother is speaking to me, and she’s furious,” Rowan said shakily.

---