A deep growl from the other side of the partition told her to enter. The sound almost made her squeak in fright, but she did as she was told.
The diviner was standing in front of a Bible lectern on the far side of the room. He didn’t turn around. “Sit down, Annabeth,” he instructed.
She looked around nervously for a chair. She had never been inside his prayer closet before. Directly to her right she saw a small table and two chairs. She dove into the nearest seat and folded her hands in her lap to wait.
Father Abraham resumed reading his Bible.
Annabeth glanced up at the portrait of the last diviner which hung above the table. She averted her gaze just as quickly. The face seemed to be staring directly back at her in an attitude of stern disapproval.
“What do you wish to speak to me about?”
She jerked to attention. The diviner was walking across the room toward where she sat.
He took the chair opposite and waited for her reply.
She cast her eyes down at the floor in confusion. “I’m sorry to bother you, Father. I… I… know how busy you must be.”
“Yes,” he said coldly. “My time is valuable. I don’t want it wasted on trifles.”
She gathered the courage to look at him. Her hands were no longer folded in her lap. They were clenched together in a tight little ball. She wanted to fly out of the room, but she had to hold her ground and speak. Her own salvation was at stake. “I have come to tell you some news.” She hesitated. There was no good way to say this.
“Yes?” His tone was impatient.
“I… uh… I think there may be something wrong with the scion’s new union.”
“What?’ he bellowed, rising and standing above her. “What on earth are you jibbering about, woman?”
She tried to blink back the tears, but she had been on edge for so long that it all came flooding out and she began to sob. Hiding her face in her hands, she bent over the table and cried.
The spectacle took Father Abraham by surprise. He seemed perplexed and sat back down. “There, there,” he said stiffly. “There’s no need for tears, Annabeth. Now, what is the problem?”
She blew her nose, sniffled and tried to regain control. “I… I… had to make sure you knew that it wasn’t my fault, Father. I’m not a bad wife.”
“A bad wife?” he echoed. “Who said you were a bad wife?”
“Y… you did.” She began to wail all over again.
The diviner drew himself up. He seemed offended. “I said no such thing.”
Annabeth struggled to breathe. Her sobs left her gasping for air. “Y… yes. Y… you told me that I was disobedient and that’s why my husband didn’t seek out my company. But it isn’t only me!” She dug her fists into her eyes to clear them. “I don’t deserve to be cast out of the kingdom, Father. I don’t want to be left behind on Judgment Day.”
The diviner kept his tone level to avoid upsetting her further. He chose his words carefully. “You just said it isn’t only you. Explain what you mean by that.”
Annabeth blinked back the last of her tears and let out a huge sigh. She blew her nose again and regarded the diviner gravely. “I don’t believe the problem is with us, Father. I talked to my sister-wives, and Daniel has showed no husbandly affection to any of us for years now. And then yesterday I asked my newest sister-wife Hannah about her wedding night, and it seems…” she trailed off, unsure of how to phrase a subject so delicate.
The diviner appeared stunned. He sat perfectly still for several seconds, staring off into space. Finally, he asked, “Are you trying to tell me that my son did not consummate his union with Hannah?”
Annabeth nodded solemnly. “That is what she told me, Father. She seemed very confused by it too.”
“Woman, you know it is a grave sin to lie about such things.”
Annabeth nearly stopped breathing altogether. “Oh, Father, no! I would never lie about this or anything.”
Father Abraham stared at her in silence. His face wore exactly the same expression as the man in the portrait. “If you aren’t lying then it is plain you are being deluded by the Father of Lies. The devil has tricked you into believing you are not to blame.”
Annabeth faltered in her conviction. The thought had never occurred to her before. “He has?” she asked limply.
The diviner rose and paced around the room, his hands clasped behind his back. “There is no other possible explanation. He has hoodwinked not only you but your sister-wives as well.”
She gaped at him in shock.
He continued. “You are being seduced by the sin of pride. Satan has whispered in your ear that there is no fault in you, so it must be your husband who is to blame. Women are foolish and easily led astray. If your husband is avoiding all of you, perhaps he has detected some flaw that you are too prideful to admit. His judgment is to be trusted not merely because he is my son but because he is the scion. He will one day speak directly to God as I do now. God himself chose Daniel to succeed me.” He wheeled around and glared at her. “Do you think He would have chosen a man who was fallible and lacking in discernment to lead the Nephilim?”
“N… no, Father.” She couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. She stared at the floor. “That isn’t possible.”
“I advise you to examine your heart most carefully, Annabeth. The foe of mankind has made an abode for himself there.”
Annabeth felt a thrill of horror running through her. Satan in her own heart? How could she trust the evidence of her senses? Was any of it real? The devil could be whispering lies to her even now. She sat transfixed until she felt a firm hand grasp her by
