Page 141 of The Cerulean Sister
"Mostly whenever one of the women is close to their birth dates or when they have started their labors."
A chill runs down my spine as I realize Crixa has said something similar to me before. During our final conversation before my light erupted in the grand hall, she cruelly informed me she was with my mother when she died, how she called out for Leema.
Crixa attends . . . every birth.
Our mother’s blood doesn't just stain the elders’ hands of this temple.
It's on Crixa's too.
"Listen to me, Leema. Tomorrow at the temple service, find me."
"Alright." She does not look confident.
"Please just find me. I promise you that you will not give birth in this temple. I will get you out."
Chapter
Thirty-Seven
Ilock myself in my chambers for the remainder of the evening. My daze carries me through, my muscle memory taking over as I bathe and prepare to meet in the safe house all while thinking of what Leema said, how afraid she looked to ask for help.
I focus on my sister, because if I think of what else transpired today with Crixa and knowing for sure she is responsible for countless deaths, I will lose my composure and jeopardize any hope of helping Leema altogether.
By the time Calliape folds the distance into my chambers, I'm practically crawling out of my skin to get to the others and demand we remove my sister immediately, investigation be damned.
Calliape knows something has happened, even though I have said very little other than a greeting to her. She all but body blocks my view of Selene when we get to the safe house and keeps sending August panicked glances over her shoulder, like he needs to join us in the dining room.
Selene mindlessly stirs a pot on the crude hearth and looks as close to how I saw her on Frith—the picture of her stirring the bulb stew has imprinted itself into my mind.
"When will 99 arrive? I need to speak with all of you."
"He shouldn't be much longer. I just received his update that he is in transit." August smiles flatly at me, his concern written all over his face.
"Would you like some tea? You seem out of sorts," Selene interrupts, not taking her eyes off her stirring.
"No. Thank you."
My anxious nerves take all the air out of the room, not allowing any other topic or emotions smother them. My leg began bouncing wildly the instant I sat in the wooden chair at the head of the table.
The three of us sit in silence, waiting for 99 as Selene hums to herself, either completely oblivious to just how much on the outside she is from our family or unbothered by it.
99 opens the door, walking into the safe house, not realizing what awaits him until his visor finds me. "I came as soon as I could."
I stand and hug him. "I saw Leema today. She knows something is off in the temple. I need to speak with you all. It's important," I choke out.
"Alright," he soothes and directs me to sit at the table again, moving a second chair close to me and taking the seat himself.
"When we were going through the ledgers, I saw my mother’s name written."
I can feel 99 press his side protectively against mine.
"I'm so sorry," Calliape says.
"I knew it was more than likely that my mother was a victim of that temple, but we have all been under the impression it was at the hands of the elders who run it."
Selene finally turns her body fully toward me, her attention no longer on the simmering pot.
I continue, "Leema invited me into the Temple of Divine Mothers. Crixa was there as well. She made us sit through astrange conversation, but she also said something alarming . . . that she would be present when Leema was in labor. She has told me before she was with my mother when she died. When I questioned Leema about Crixa’s attendance . . . She is there when any of the women go into labor."
