Chapter

Ninety one

Jericho

The uneven stone floor cut into the bare skin of my knees as I knelt in front of the cross in my purification room. I hadn’t even started, and already my weakness was getting the better of me.

Usually the ritual of entering this chamber was enough to quiet my mind so I could focus on my punishment, but not tonight. Tonight my thoughts raced with Asher. Whether that was because I’d been negligent in my absolution or because of what I’d just learned, I wasn’t sure. Only that it was true. This time, punishment wasn’t a choice. It was a requirement. I needed to purge...