Page 142 of The Cerulean Sister
"You believe the highest priestess is responsible for the deaths in that temple?" Selene crosses her arms, putting together my meaning suspiciously fast.
"Is that what you are saying, Ferren?" 99 asks me a little more gently.
"Yes, I think she is."
"Did you know?" Calliape demands from Selene.
"I had my suspicions but no proof," she admits.
99 straightens. "Without proof, I don't know how we will submit it for the investigation."
"I am not bringing it up for the investigation. I want to get Leema out. Before the conjunction," I say, ignoring Selene. Calliape may be shocked by her confession, but I am not.
"Removing her in a panic is not the solution." 99 sighs. "What I am about to say will not come out how I intend."
I hold his hand and brace. I wish we were tethered, then he would not have to explain he is struggling to find words for me to understand.
"She is not in any more danger than she previously was with this new information. She is safer behind a temple during the conjunction, and that one will be heavily guarded."
I hate that he is so calm.
"It will set off a lot of alarm bells if she disappears. It could jeopardize the entire investigation," August adds, planting his chair back onto the ground from its tilted recline.
My first instinct is to say that I do not care about the investigation or anyone else in that temple, that I want her out at all costs. I clench my fists, realizing I am just like Selene inthat sense, when she fled with Calliape’s mother and did not look back, knowing what was happening.
"She has noticed strange behavior in the temple, and her instincts are telling her it is dangerous in there. 99, she asked if I would help her leave. She sought me out."
He sighs. "If we take her, it will cause a ripple effect across the entire Estate, the priestess order."
I nod and try to ground myself with an inhale. "Then so be it," I whisper and stand from my seat, resolved in the fact that it may be messy, but it has to be done.
"Ferren." 99 shakes his head.
"She wants to leave. We are nottakingor abducting her. I do not care if it causes issues. If a woman cannot leave that temple of her own free will, then the problem is with that temple, more reason to look into its practices."
"You would have to leave with her. You would not be safe inside the priestess order any longer."
"I know."
"You could not fight for the temple if there is another attack."
"I will disappear with her. No one has to know where we have gone, and if they do, Leema can invoke the sanctuary law."
"And what of you?" 99's tone constricts the muscles in my heart.
Selene perks up. "You and your sister are welcome on Frith. When August returns us home, if you are not safe on Cosima or Viathan, you may find peace with us if you like."
99 visibly bristles at the thought of me going to Frith while he stays here, but it is an option if there is no other.
"Thank you, Selene." I smile but Calliape is glaring at her again. She must have noticed Selene's quick mention of them both leaving for home as much as I did.
"I have no issue transporting anyone to Frith, but only those who truly desire to return," August adds, pointing his words carefully.
99 stands and takes a deep breath, like he is trying to carefully form his words. His gloved palm comes out in a place holding gesture. "I will speak with the lord general of Leema's request for protection and gauge his advice on how to proceed with Ferren leaving before we have started the temple investigation."
"What do you think he will say?" I ask, my eagerness to get started taking over how grateful I truly am that he is agreeing.
"It's unclear."
