Page 98 of The Chosen
Scripture framed in gold. Crosses mounted on walls. Paintings depicting angels. Scenes of salvation. Redemption. Forgiveness.
This house wasn’t merely decorated. It was curated. Every inch carefully designed to communicate the idea of faith and belonging.
But there was nothing righteous about this place.
Then I heard it.
It was muffled, barely audible, but it sounded like a woman crying for help.
I dashed toward the staircase and took them two at a time up to the second floor. As I emerged onto the landing, I listened again for the sound, praying I hadn’t just imagined it. Then I heard it again. Coming from the room at the end of the hallway.
I moved quickly toward it with my gun raised, remaining as light on my feet as possible. My stomach tightened, a chill rushing over my skin.
When I reached the door, I carefully turned the handle, pushing it open.
My gaze immediately fell on the bed where a young woman was bound and gagged with a large gash on her forehead, blood streaming down the side of her face.
I rushed toward her, checking the room for signs of anyone else. But she was alone. Thank God for small miracles.
“I’ve got you,” I assured the girl, resting my weapon on the nightstand. “I won’t hurt you.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out my knife, using it to cut through her restraints.
Once I removed her gag, she exhaled a long breath, her entire body visibly trembling.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere else?” I asked, raking my gaze over her frame for any additional injuries. Bile rose in my throat when I noticed more blood between her thighs.
“I… I don’t think so,” she responded meekly.
“Okay. Good. I hate to do this, but I’m going to need to leave you here. If anyone tries to hurt you again, use this.” I handed her one of my guns. “I’ll come back for you. I’m here to help you. Get you out of here.”
I started to spin when pain suddenly exploded across the side of my head. White light burst behind my eyes as dizziness overtook me. I tried to remain upright, but couldn’t, the world tilting violently as the floor rose up to meet me.
The last thing I remembered was seeing the woman standing over me with my gun in her hand.
“I can’t let you hurt Father,” she said with a sinister smile.
Then everything went dark.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Ariana
I followed Tabitha into the hallway, a part of me wondering if this was a test. If Josiah would rush upon me, tell me I needed correction for daring to leave my room. But that didn’t happen. Instead, several other doors opened as women filtered silently out of their rooms.
Without a single word, they each fell into line, and I followed their lead, mimicking their posture, heads bowed, hands clasped in front of them. Tabitha started down the corridor, and we all walked quietly behind her, the only sounds our soft footsteps against the hardwood floor and the distant groan of a pipe somewhere deep within the building.
I tried to steal an occasional glance at my surroundings, but I was too on edge about what tonight would bring that I kept my head lowered as we continued down a set of ornate stairs before walking through a wide archway and into an enormous dining room that looked like something straight out of a European castle.
A massive wooden table dominated the center of the room, long enough to seat at least thirty people. Candles flickered overhead from iron chandeliers, their flames reflecting against polished silverware and crystal glasses.
And the smell…
God.
Fresh bread.
Rosemary.
Garlic.
