Page 50 of Acts of Contrition

“Have a seat.”

There are two chairs and a leather loveseat, the latter of which Thomas leads me to and we sit down.

“So, I take it you have good news for me, yes?” The light in here is dim, and it seems like he can see me better than he could outside. I’ve never met an albino person in real life, and I know little about the condition, but I remember reading once they have vision issues.

Thomas seems to be waiting for me to speak, so I do. “Um, yes, sir. Yesterday, Thomas informed me he felt my training and … cleansing was complete or as near as it could be, and he gave me the choice of how I wished to proceed with life.” I glance over at him, the soft smile on his face nothing like what I was used to from him. “I chose him. I chose to stay here.”

Oliver smiles. “Wonderful! It pleases me greatly. You know, Diana, when someone as high ranking in our church wishes to choose a partner, I have to approve them. And I admit, I worried about you. I see that was needless.”

Thomas scoffs, but he still smiles. “You should have worried aboutme, Father. She tried my patience for weeks.”

“And she will continue to do so, and you will love her all the more for it, just like my Catherine,” Oliver comments. “So,Diana, around here, as it is outside, brides typically prefer to choose their weddings. Some opt for private, just them, me, and witnesses. Some wish for a large gathering at the town hall after a church wedding. The only thing that must be done is the post-wedding consummation before the rest of the clergy.”

Nausea roils at the thought of being watched and Thomas catches my hand in his quickly.

“Father … you recall I sent you a message that Diana has had some past trauma. I didn’t expand upon it, as it’s not my story to tell, but what can be done to not put her through that? To not have a crowd around us?” he asks.

Shaking my head, I say, “Thomas, no, I don’t want to cause trouble for you or your traditions. I’ve suffered through worse.”

He pierces me with his eyes. “And that is why I will not let you go through anything to re-traumatize you.”

Oliver watches Thomas, not me, with calculating eyes. “You are truly willing to balk tradition to protect her.”

“God gave her to me.Itrained her.Isaved her.Icleansed her. I will not see her revert back to the person she was when she first came to me,” he declares.

Oliver stands and paces a moment before stopping and nodding to himself. “The reason for the public consummation is to prove you are joined as one under the name of the First Church of the New Disciples. To shed who you were before. Nothing more than that. I believe I know what you can do to prove that same thing, and not be watched during the process.”

He smiles, murder in his nearly colorless eyes, and suddenly I feel like everything is about to go horribly wrong … or horribly right.

Chapter Nineteen

Diana

“YOU’RE SURE ABOUT this?” Thomas whispers.

I nod.

“We can always plan a party for us after, too,” he assures me. “Lisa and Mother Catherine will probably beg you to let them, actually. They’ve become quite fond of you.”

Like a pet,I think but don’t say.

We walk with Father Oliver to the church, and my legs hurt a bit from the lack of exercise, but I dare not complain. Not now.

Inside, Lisa wears a loose-fitting red dress to not agitate her wounds, and she and Catherine set up bouquets of daffodils and forget-me-knots.

“What did I tell you?” Thomas said to me with a smile. “They must have rushed to our florist for these.”

“We did and we are so happy!” Catherine calls to him.

Lisa nods, her eyes tired from her lashing but she manages a smile. “I have a sister-in-law. Funny, I never saw my brother as a settling down type.”

“You know God can change a person’s very soul,” Oliver tells her. “We’re still waiting for Him to act on you, though.”

Thomas covers up a laugh but it escapes, earning him a death glare from his sister.

She walks up to me and gives me a hug, which shocks me. “I’m sorry I haven’t been very nice. I’m working on it, and I’m glad my brother’s training worked.”

“We will file for a marriage certificate from the government,” Oliver tells me. “Sadly, while we would prefer not to, if worse should ever come to the worst, it is best to ensure those heathens cannot question yours or any union within the community.”

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