omed out of the darkness, high and

manned guard towers visible at in

emembered, a fortress

clenched.

e main gate, where two Guardians, armed

ced and bulky, approa

" he commanded, his v

ier bravado gone. He was sweating. "For the Pr

ked at a clip

is my wife, Brenda, and my s

r them, then into the back wh

nize me. Of cou

rl with hacked-off hair,

guard asked, his ga

id, jerking a thumb

ight in my face. I flinc

radio. "Jericho, the Johnson p

wledged. Bring them through. Matriarch S

aphina. My ad

gainst my ribs, a f

ounds of the Sanctuary. Manicured lawns, neat little cabins for the initiates

ed so calm,

t was al

entrance, the "Welcome House." It w

where escapees w

on the porch, bathed in

rene, her silver hai

on me as Kyle roughly pulled

co

recognize

er piece of dama

e evident. She looked me up and down with disdain. "Jericho

e back in place. "Matriarch Seraphina?

touched Brenda. It was

ted. "And clearly abused. Thi

was like c

ad refused to die, finally ext

a commanded to the two Guardians who had flanked

ducation

nt, solitary confinement,

harp, pierced th

bbed my arms, the

ed draggin

ss. Towards the pl