Page 53 of An Unexpected Ascension
“Briar? You’re worrying me.”
Will takes the seat across from me and studies me with bewilderment.
“Look, I’m not exactly sure what he wants with me. He’s alluded to some ancient history he has with my ancestors, but nothing in detail.”
“Was this the first time he?—”
“No.” I swallow. “No, he’s confronted me before.”
“I warned you not to say his name.”
“I didn’t! He just appeared out of nowhere one day and hasn’t really stopped bothering me since. Call your sister. I don’t feel like explaining it all twice.”
Within moments, Jessie’s seated at the table with us. Her chocolate eyes wide.
“Did you see all that outside? I was about to head over, but then the hail started.”
“It was Briar,” Will tattles, running a hand through his greying hair. “And that demon.”
If Heaven didn’t control comfort like a strait jacket, my face would be beat red showcasing the embarrassment that now cripples me.
“What did you do?” she whispers as if the Gods could be listening.
So, I told them everything. Well, almost everything, excluding the part about the cave and whatever happened in it. I trusted my friends, but I wasn’t quite sure if admitting it happened would damn me on the spot.
However, I did tell them how he plans to drag me to Hell and how he believes that’s where I deserve to be.
“What are you going to do?” Jessie asks, concern glittering in her eyes.
“I have no idea. Do you remember when my neighbor was hauled over to the dais in the Market? How he begged for his God, and the God did nothing? I’m too afraid this will be the same.”
“Did you try?” Will wonders.
I shake my head. “No.”
“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt.” He shrugs.
Chapter 17
The Angel
Ever since that last visit from Hermes, the whispers inside my head have gone from a steady crawl to a frenzied screaming, begging me to uncover the truth, to just touch the tree.
It’s been three days now and the noise is almost too much to bear with absolutely no distraction. By the time I am finally needed at the orphanage again, I’ve nearly gone mad.
Jessie accompanies me on the walk over, her side glances filled with worry as I squeeze my eyes shut every now and then. My lips mutter prayers, struggling to focus on the words rather than the chaos inside my head.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
I nod. I haven’t been able to tell them about the relentless chattering the demon left me with. I’m too afraid they will find me tainted.
Later, Sister Mary’s voice pulls my attention from outside the window. “Briar, dear, is something wrong?”
Tearing my eyes away felt like gum stretching from the bottom of my shoe.
“Just zoned out for a minute.” I avoid the lie of telling her I am fine and press a smile on my face, wondering how convincing it is.
For the past few days, I’ve debated telling her about the demon, about what he wants me to do. But part of me doubts it would help. That maybe Hermes is right, I’m destined for Hell. Telling Sister Mary might only lose me the few days I have left in Heaven.
