Page 13 of Semper
Selena's eyes lingered on Alexander; a look of forlorn longing etched across her face. It was the same look I had seen before, and now I knew there was a history between them. My stomach twisted at the reminder, a strange cocktail of emotions swirling inside me—jealousy, curiosity, and something I didn’t want to name. Alexander, standing tall and formidable at the front of the Chapel, continued to speak, his deep, cultured voice carrying easily across the room.
"Tonight, we gather not only to strengthen our faith," he began, his tone authoritative, "but also to offer salvation to those who have strayed. The path of darkness requires discipline. It demands obedience." He paused, his golden eyes scanning the room from behind his mask.
"Punishment is not cruelty, but mercy. It is a way to bring those who have faltered back into the fold, to remind them of their place, of their duty."
The congregation murmured in agreement, nodding along as if they were already prepared to accept the harshness of what was to come. Alexander turned slightly, casting a long shadow over the altar. "Tonight, three will be brought forward to receivetheir penance." The room grew heavier with anticipation as he continued, his voice unwavering. "Their names are as follows," he paused, drawing out the tension, "Nicolette Verran, Cato Thornwell, and Verina Blackmore."
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Nicolette’s name.
It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. Each name fell like a stone, weighty and ominous. The image of Nicolette being punished the other night flickered in my mind, and I couldn’t help but wonder what awaited her now. Keres’ voice broke through the tension like a whip crack, her usual bravado masking what I suspected was genuine concern.
"Isn't she one of your servitors?" she asked, her tone laced with disbelief.
“I don’t know what she is,” I murmured under my breath, my eyes glued to Nicolette as she was brought forward, “but she doesn’t deserve what’s about to happen to her.”
Pandora’s soft voice floated over from beside me, her words filled with resigned sorrow. “We never do.”
Selena’s eyes snapped to mine. “No, Electi, all punishment is just.”
Keres scoffed. “Punishment for what? Breathing too loud? This is bullshit."
Seraphine interjected, her voice calm but firm, like a teacher scolding unruly children. “This is a valuable lesson. You must not stray from your roles. To stray is to invite chaos, and chaos has no place on this Isle.”
Alexander’s voice rose once more, silencing any further murmurs.
“Disobedience is not tolerated here. Misguidance of the Electi is a grave sin, one that leads only to destruction.” His gaze swept across the room, lingering on Nicolette, who stood trembling at the front, flanked by Bishop and the other masked man.
Phoenix raised his hand, and both Nicolette and the other two—Cato and Verina—were forced to kneel, their heads bowed low in submission. Bishop, with a cold precision, approached Nicolette first. Another masked figure stepped forward, carrying a tray, and I felt a sickening sense of déjà vu.
My mind flashed to what had been done to Kennedy before. The methodical way they prepared for punishment, like it was some kind of ritual.
"Nicolette’s transgression," he continued, his voice devoid of emotion, “is attempting to mislead our Sponsa Diaboli, my Electi, during her time of transition.”
There were audible gasps from the congregation, followed by murmurs of outrage.
“How could she betray the Sponsa Diaboli?" a woman questioned, her voice tinged with shock.
"Cato? I thought he was loyal!"
"This cannot be! Verina has served for years!" a deeper voice growled, their anger barely contained.
The tension in the room swelled, a mixture of betrayal and righteous fury as they awaited the consequences for those named.
“Sponsa Diaboli.” Keres turned to me; her eyes wide. “Isn’t that you?”
I felt my stomach lurch. "But she didn’t do that," I whispered, the weight of the accusation crushing down on me.
“OurDiabolusdoes not lie,” Seraphine refuted.
“Hejustdid,” I snapped back at her. I wanted to scream, to protest, but the room was already moving, the ritual proceeding as if no injustice had just been uttered. Was this why Esther had been noticeably absent the past few days? The masked figure holding the tray stopped in front of Nicolette, and Bishop reached for something on it—something I couldn't see clearly. I realized what was happening as Alexander stated it aloud.
Loqui Nullum Malum.
The punishment for speaking out of turn, for daring to sow doubt or dissent.
They made a show of holding up a thin thread, its shimmer barely visible from where I was sitting. I couldn't make out the details, but my gut told me it was no ordinary string. The weight of what was happening settled deep in my bones.
Nicolette was about to be silenced.