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As vile as it was, the plan was genius. For now, the only people with consistent access to the compound were high profile men and young women who wanted to be Rubin’s wife — all useful pawns in the Messenger’s game.

But who knew how long it would be before he tried to expand his reach again? To take these tactics out into the wider world, or to spread his blessings to satellite sanctuaries?

Maybe that had been his plan with Jeremy — casting a net out into a wider sea of future disciples. I winced at the idea of him roping anyone else into his sick game.

We have to put an end to this…

I crossed my legs underneath me, watching as Blade screwed a final bolt into the filtration tank she was working on.

“That should do it,” she sat back with a sigh, shutting the plastic lid over the tank. I couldn’t see much of a difference in the water flow, but I could tell from the satisfaction on her face that all of her hard work had paid off.

Cyrus and Nash gazed at the water with the same passive appreciation I had. For a moment, there was true quiet: no more pacing or tinkering, but just the steady, inevitable flow of the water.

And that’s when it hit me. “I think I know how to get inside.”

The Freaks turned to look at me, confusion written across all of their faces. But it was Nash who spoke up. “What are you thinking, Sweet Lamb?”

“I can be our sacrifice. I can tell Rubin that I’m ready to be his wife.”

66

TESS

The suggestion had hardly left my lips before Cyrus came thundering across the pavement. “Absolutely not.”

My arms crossed over my chest instinctively. “Since when do you get to decide?”

“Tess.” Nash stepped in, shooting Cyrus a warning glare that sent her back to pacing. Then, Nash turned that sharp gaze on me. “That’s not an option.”

“Why not?”

“How would we get you out of there safely?”

“I could find my own way out.” But my voice lacked the necessary conviction.

“After what happened with ‘Jane’?” Blade frowned, wiping the water off her hands. “We have no idea what’s happening to the women in there, Trinket, but if she’s any example, you can bet it’s not pretty.”

“We aren’t risking you like that.” Cyrus growled. “Not with those Jesus freaks. Not again.”

My chest stung as the words left her lips. Now she cared about protecting me from them? But even before I finished the thought, I knew it wasn’t fair. She’d always cared. Now, she just had the power to do something about it.

And I feel more powerless than ever.

“Jane is exactly the reason that something like this is necessary.” I threw my hands up. “I can’t just keep sitting idly while he hurts innocent women — innocent girls! How else are we going to solve this problem?”

I flicked my gaze over each of them, but found no answers — just stubborn glares.

“I don’t know.” Nash spoke first. “But the situation in Valemont is getting more dire. More people are losing their jobs, getting hooked on these drugs, becoming robed followers of the Messenger. Throwing you into that lion’s den isn’t going to save anyone. It’s just going to get you killed.”

Those words hung heavily in the air, as did the silence that followed. Nash wasn’t wrong. But we had to try something.

“Enough,” Cyrus grumbled, shooting a pointed look my way before addressing the group. “Clearly, this conversation is going nowhere. We’ll drop it for now. Revisit it when we’re thinking more clearly.”

I rolled my eyes. I was sick of her patronizing attitude, but I had no interest in an uphill battle that was destined for failure.

Whatever. She won’t be able to stay in denial forever.

Slinking back in my seat, I crossed my arms tight. The gesture was as much to express my frustration as it was to stave off the cold. The air was brisk, especially in this wind tunnel of a water park. But I wouldn’t let the Freaks see me shiver.