Page 56 of Song of the Dark Wood

Rowan chewed her lower lip.

“I assure you that I would never behave inappropriately with a Red Maiden. This has to be a misunderstanding. Tell her, Rowan,” Elder Garrett said.

Rowan finally met his eyes. A discordant sound struck the air around him, like a bunch of fiddles tuning up at once. Rowan tried not to cringe at the sound. Elder Garrett looked at her expectantly.

“She already knows the truth,” Rowan said. “I’m not comfortable alone with you.”

He frowned, his gaze focusing on Mrs. Teverin. His frenetic clanging energy surrounded the old woman like a bubble of sound. Rowan couldn’t quite understand what was happening, but Mrs. Teverin’s entire demeanor changed. Her arms dropped to her sides, and her face softened to a pleasant smile.

“Mrs. Teverin, would you mind leaving us to a private scripture lesson? I’ll take good care of Rowan,” Elder Garrett said sweetly.

Rowan expected the same bluster as before, but Mrs. Teverin smiled cheerfully and nodded. “Of course, Elder Garrett. You know best,” she said before turning and leaving Rowan alone.

Rowan stared blankly after her tutor.

Elder Garrett laughed as he grabbed Rowan’s arm and pulled her into the office. “You think you’re so clever. You forget who I am. I told you that no one would believe you. Does it feel better to have it confirmed?”

The shock rendered Rowan breathless as Elder Garrett locked the office door and turned to face her.

“You’ve been quite petulant. I think perhaps I haven’t chosen the right type of discipline yet. But we’ll get it right this time,” he said.

Rowan stilled as he walked behind her, unfastening her red cloak and tossing it aside. His hands came to the buttons at the back of her dress. He tore it open. The air rushed out of her lungs all at once, her whole chest threatened to cave in on itself. A violent tremor went through her body as he ran his fingers down her spine.

“Such perfect porcelain skin,” Elder Garrett whispered. She tried not to flinch as he pinched her. “Look at the marvelous way it pinks so easily.”

He picked up a switch from his desk, and Rowan swallowed hard. It was stupid to feel relieved, but she had endured enough physical pain that she felt prepared. What was one more wound in need of mending? Better her skin than her soul.

He gestured for her to turn toward the wall, and she did so obediently.

“Kneel,” he said. “Don’t look so sullen. If you didn’t want this, you would have done your job. I’m starting to suspect you enjoy our sessions.” He clicked his tongue. “But the Mother’s will must be done. It’s a hard lesson to teach, but hopefully, this will inspire you to spread your legs and do your job.”

Rowan knelt, closed her eyes, and put her hands against the cold stone of the office wall. Her fear was quickly swallowed up by fury. She bowed her head so that her forehead rested on the backs of her hands.

He struck so quickly she barely had time to register the first stinging blow of the switch against her back. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. She refused to give him the satisfaction. She hoped he feared the Wolf enough not to risk marking her permanently.

Rowan swallowed her helpless rage and prayed to the Mother to save her. She waited hopefully as the elder brought the switch down against her burning skin again.

The Mother never came.

Bright sunshine blindedRowan as soon as she pushed out of the temple. The skin on her back ached every time her cloakbrushed against it, and shame turned her stomach. She worried she’d vomit right on the temple stairs.

Cade waited for her, leaning against the wall by the door.

“Where have you been? Your timing is impeccable,” she said, clenching her fists at her sides.

Cade’s face darkened. “What happened?”

“Elder Garrett happened, and there was nothing I could do,” she huffed, brushing by her friend.

“There’s always something you can do,” Cade challenged.

Rowan spun to face him. Her rage was incendiary. “Is there? Was I supposed to kill him? Fight him off? Beg for mercy?” she countered. “You should have been there. You left me alone.”

“I’m not your savior, Rowan,” Cade snapped. “I’m a demon. Mother’s tits! What do you want from me? I can’t be by your side every second of every day on pervert patrol.”

Rowan stared at him, her lower lip trembling. “Where were you?” she asked. “Seriously?”

Cade looked away. “Sometimes, there are things I have to do. I don’t want to leave. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. It’s not that I don’t want to be. I hate Elder Garrett. Do you know who I really envy? Whoever finally gets to send him to Wolf’s Keep.”

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