Page 113 of He Who Sleeps

“Now...are you okay? I mean really okay?” Emerson asked. “No... I know you feel okay but killing someone is life changing.”

“I’m okay. I have had rest, and food, and while I know this is going to be something I’m going to have to face, that’s for later.” She looked to them. “And I know you guys will be there for me.”

"One thing that might come in handy..." Easton looked a bit uncomfortable. "I spoke to the priests when we arrived and asked for some...spiritual guidance. Turns out that counselling and therapy is actually in their remit, so...you know...if you want help, it's there. They said they'd be happy to work with me virtually."

She smiled at her sad lover. “That sounds great actually. I mean it won’t be like we have to hide anything from them,” she offered. “We could go together, when you’re ready. So, what else?”

“Well, we did a bunch while there. Carter and I went to the priests about your orphanage, and to get a clear look at what that whole thing about the women and the sisters were,” Emerson said to her.

“What did you find out?”

“A lot, actually. My dad’s journal was right, but the priests have said several of the communes had gone dark a while back, though they still maintain that He was getting devotions from his Feminine.”

"We thought that maybe once we'd finished up over there, we could come back here and actually go and speak to people at the orphanage," Carter said. "If any of the original staff are around, they could tell us why they went dark."

“Why go back before that?”

Rix looked at her. “The priests want to meet you...and see what bloodline, if any, you belong to.”

“They can do that?”

Emerson nodded. “Apparently.”

“So I’m coming with you?”

"You didn't think we would leave you behind after what just happened, did you?" Leo looked at her like she'd gone crazy.

“I don’t know. I mean it’s very possible you could split up and some go and some stay with me and Niobe and Brutus.” She smiled. “They get to come, too, right?”

"Niobe can't fly," Easton said regretfully. "But her sitter will stay with her while we're not here."

"And Brutus can definitely come," Carter agreed. "I'm not sure he'd forgive either of us if we left him alone again."

Pouting at Easton, she said. “But I get to spend quality time with her when we come back, right? Promise?”

"You have my word," he told her and then smiled brightly. "Besides, she has a really long lifespan. You'll literally have decades to spend with us when this is all over."

"Enough talk of pets," Finn said with a gentle but tired smile. "Let's get this sacrifice out of the way and try and have an early night. Emerson booked the jet for tomorrow morning. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can come back home again."

“Okay... I mean that sounds good. I’ll go get ready for bed.”

“Bed nothing. Baby girl, this is your devotional,” Rix offered. “This isn’t happening without you.”

“Oh...” She brightened. “I get to come.”

“You get tooffer,” Emerson said. “As our devotional, you have the honor of offering to He Who Sleeps. If you are part of the organization, then you need to know how to do this.”

"I'll go grab the bucket," Leo offered. "I'll see the rest of you down there."

"Thanks, Leo." Finn rose to his feet and she watched him worriedly. He looked exhausted, they all did. Planning the coup and all the international travel with the accompanying jetlag, plus the effort required to kill a man and cover it up...it was no wonder they were all tired. Maybe the God would give them all a bit of an energy boost to get through the next few days.

The trip down to the well was quick, and she made it a point to walk with Finn, holding his hand. She missed her Devil, missed them all, and she needed to reconnect. “I’m a little nervous about this,” she said as they made it to the stairs. “What if it isn’t accepted? What if...”I’m not accepted? She didn’t finish the thought with words, leaving it to hang in the air.

"He sent you to us." Finn looked down at her in amusement. "Why on earth wouldn't he accept you when He was the one that gave you to us?"

“I don’t know...” She fidgeted. “I was so worried before...that I would never see you again,” she offered. “Now that I’m here, I’m just worried.”

"Well stop," he said gently. "This is meant to be. You were born into The Order, I think, and you were brought back to us. We're not leaving you again. Besides, it sounds like you've already made offerings of your first blood."

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