Page 22 of Seraph's Tears
Silence. I would love to see Silence. She was the nearest thing I had to a bosom friend.
Guilt slithered through me, making my ribcage ache. I had to give as little information about Gabriel as possible. Enough to protect me and drag out the timeline for him, but no more.
Taking one last deep breath, I decided to get it over with. I strode across the frozen, muddy ground and shoved the wooden door open.
Smoke, both from cigars and the fire, greeted me. It was brighter than I’d expected, despite the low, dark beams running along the ceiling and the small windows. As I stepped further into the room, I scanned the tables and benches for familiar faces. Behind the bar to my right, a barmaid with graying ringlets escaping her cap popped the tap on a cask and the sweet scent of light ale filled the room.
Someone waved from the back corner, hidden in shadows.
I squinted, and the pale hand waved again.
“Lovejoy! Over here.” The voice was low and sultry, and all too familiar. My heart sank.
Lilith? They sent Lilith? What is happening down there? I squared my shoulders. There was no way the church had allowed a woman to travel by herself. One or two men had to be with her.
I crossed the room, and slowly the people on the bench became clearer.
Lilith Meadows, the prettiest woman in the church, perched on the end of one bench. She had cornsilk hair in a low bun with braids. One curl had escaped, dangling on the side of her face like a caress. She had deep blue eyes, rosy cheeks, and a figure men lusted over and women seethed over. Lilith smiled at me, pretty as always.
I’d never known what to make of Lilith, even after fifteen years. She was by far the most beautiful, and therefore the most desired woman. She’d gotten special permission plenty of times from the reverend for things most girls wouldn’t be allowed to do, and we all knew it was because she could use those big blue eyes to her advantage. It made her a prize among men, but I knew that wasn’t always a boon.
She had few, if any, friends among the women because of how the men viewed her. Being the elders’ favorite was a precarious place to be. Still, if she’d been more humble, other women would’ve liked her better.
“Eve Lovejoy.” The man beside her was bent over his ale, broad shoulders filling half the bench. His blue eyes looked more like bruises. His unkempt beard was ginger, but his lanky, greasy hair was dishwasher blond. Lilith’s brother, Absalom Meadows.
Lilith was smart, unfortunately. An undesired trait for women among our church. She must’ve taken the entire family’s intelligence, because Absalom was an absolute idiot. He was nothing better than Zor’s guard dog. Zor must’ve let him off his chain for this journey.
A small figure in a cloak shifted on Absalom’s other side, pulling back the cowl. Silence Bellwether smiled faintly at me, dark shadows under her eyes with black hair braided and flung over one shoulder. I blinked in surprise. “Silence!”
Absalom glanced up from perusing his ale at my words, then reached over and grabbed Silence’s hand that lay in her lap.
My jaw dropped. “Silence?”
“Congratulate my brother, Eve,” Lilith chirped. “He’s just been married.”
My stomach pitched. Silence with Absalom? Disgust flooded my body, and I fought to keep a neutral expression. “Congratulations, Silence. I had no idea you two were courting.”
Regret flashed in Silence’s hazel eyes. “It was quick.”
Absolom belched, smirking at me. “The reverend said it was past time I picked a bride. Got this one. Kinda skinny, but at least she can cook.”
Disgust turned to anger and resolve in a heartbeat. I scowled at him as I dropped into the bench on the opposite side of the table. I wouldn’t be like Silence. I wouldn’t bend under Zorababel’s thumb. I was getting free, one way or another. “I got his note. What do you want?”
Share as little as possible, I reminded myself. They must not have seen Castiel around the edges of the village, or this conversation would be very different. If the village hadn’t told them about Castiel, I wouldn’t either.
Lilith leaned forward, folding her hands on the table, eyes sharp as ever. Silence looked down at her lap. Absalom leaned back in his chair, spreading his legs wide enough that he bumped both his wife and sister.
“The reverend expected you back by now. Or at least some word.” Absalom was slow-witted and mean. I’d watched him drown baby mice as a child.
I shrugged, hiding my nerves. “This takes time.”
“Ask her if it’s even the right person,” Lilith murmured to her brother.
He narrowed his eyes on me. “Is this Mr. Ser even who we’re looking for?”
I didn’t bother addressing Lilith. We all played this game. Even though I’d only been away for a few weeks, I knew to answer Absalom. “It is.” I’m sorry, Gabriel. If I told them it wasn’t, Absalom would pack me up and drag me back home this very minute, and I’d lose my one chance of escape. I had to delicately string them along as long as I could.
Silence gasped. Lilith’s eyes grew wide. Absalom smirked. “Excellent.”
