26

The door shut behind Carrington like a weight. She couldn’t decide whether she wanted to crumple to the floor or escape out into the open air and run until she was lost in the fields alone. She ached to go back in and force Arianna to see reality or else take her from this place and hide her away. Instead, she had to face Isaac with nothing to report that would help Arianna’s cause. She had failed.

The wooden floor clicked beneath her shoes as she moved down the hall toward the front room. Isaac sat stiffly in the corner, his eyes coming up to meet hers.

“You are through?” Isaac said.

She nodded and the two headed out to the CityWatch vehicle waiting to transport them back to Isaac’s home. The ride was quiet. Isaac did not inquire about her time with Arianna and Carrington didn’t volunteer anything. With each passing moment dreadful thoughts of the consequences Arianna was going to face filled Carrington’s imagination. The air around her started to feel stagnant. Her face flushed and sweat gathered in droplets on her forehead.

Carrington tried to find some way to tether herself to the composure she knew was expected of her. She reminded herself that Arianna had placed herself in this situation, that there had been no reasoning with the girl. She tried to console herself with the possibility that the daughter of the president might not suffer such severe consequences . . . or maybe that would make it worse. Regardless of the mental circles Carrington ran, the agony filling her chest didn’t ease.

She shifted but couldn’t get comfortable, her legs sticking to the seat from sweat.

“Everything okay?” Isaac asked.

“Yes, fine.”

“Really? You don’t look well. Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”

Carrington nodded, but she felt Isaac’s eyes stay with her.

“I understand you may not trust me yet, but I do wish you felt as though you could confide in me.”

Isaac looked away from her, and she risked a glance at him. “I just . . . I fear my worry is getting the best of me.”

Isaac turned to face her again. “So I take it Arianna was as stubborn with you as she has been with us.”

Carrington didn’t answer, which was answer enough.

“As I said, Arianna has always possessed a rebellious spirit. I am not surprised this is where we have ended up.”

“She is so young still . . .”

“She is old enough to sin; therefore she is old enough to suffer the consequences.”

Isaac’s voice was cold and Carrington knew she shouldn’t push, but her desperation to save Arianna was quickly growing beyond her ability to control it. “If she were to repent and restate her loyalty to the Authority . . .”

“I think the time for that has passed.”

“Surely all sinners can be saved.”

Isaac’s eyes grew dark with anger and Carrington began to tremble.

“No, they cannot,” Isaac said. “This conversation is over.”

Carrington bit her lip to keep anything further from spilling out as the driver pulled up outside Isaac’s home. The two stepped out of the vehicle and made their way back to the house. Isaac did not offer her his hand as he usually did.

It was dark inside, only a couple of lamps creating pockets of light here and there. Isaac motioned for a young man to get some tea while they waited for dinner, then moved into the living room. Carrington followed and continued to stand, not wanting to sit before Isaac did. He stood like stone in the middle of the great room, turned away from her, lost in thought.

She wasn’t sure what to do. Maybe easing into conversation would shake him from his brooding. “Will Arianna have a trial?”

“Yes,” he said without turning toward her. “She will face the Council tomorrow morning.”

She heard his tone grow sharper with each word. The ground she was walking was unstable and could at any moment collapse beneath her, but she pressed anyway, hoping to appeal to any goodness Isaac possessed. “I will hope for mercy until then.”

“I assure you your hope will be in vain.”

“Surely the Authority will see —”

“Enough!” Isaac spun around and threw the back of his hand across Carrington’s face. Her head snapped to the side and her body followed, the impact nearly strong enough to send her to her knees. Hundreds of pinpoints spread across her cheek. Shock clouded her vision for a moment, but reality quickly settled in and tears sprang to her eyes.

“You do not command what the Authority will see. I command that! I will not show mercy!” He grabbed her arm and yanked her to him. His hot breath invaded her skin and stung her eyes. “Is that clear?” he spewed, spit landing on her cheek.

Bafflement made her lips numb and she struggled to remember how to use them.

“I said, is that clear?”

She quivered at his touch and nodded. “Yes.”

He held her tightly for another moment and Carrington could hardly breathe through her fear. She half expected him to sink his teeth into the side of her neck like a villainous monster and rip her flesh from her body, but he released his hold and she stumbled backward.

Her instincts told her to run but she knew better and just stood on quaking legs, her face still throbbing from the blow. He audibly sucked in air through his nose and ran his palm across his hair, flattening it.

“I think it’s better if we don’t enjoy dinner together tonight. I will make sure someone comes to see you home safely.” He took a single step toward her and her entire being tensed. He peered sternly into her eyes. “I hope all discussion between us of Arianna is put to rest.” She nodded and he gave her face a tender pat before turning to leave.