Eleanor tightened the bonds around Aaron’s wrists and ankles, checking to make sure the connecting straps were secure around the bedposts.
“I can’t stop thinking about the ferry crash yesterday,” he said, “and the toy store collapse, and the Thornton Building explosion. It’s fucking terrible, like the city is cursed or something.”
“Yes, terrible,” she said. “The city is cursed.”
“You know, my friend’s wife thought you were responsible for the bombing and the toy store disaster somehow. Crazy, right?”
“Very crazy.”
“I don’t have the heart to tell him his spouse has lost touch with reality. She wanted me to call you and lure you somewhere. Got this fat lip for saying no.” He frowned. “What happened to your face?” His hand twitched as if he wanted to touch her cheek.
“Another client.” She wrapped a black silk scarf around his eyes, then kissed his forehead.
“That’s not right. You shouldn’t put up with that.”
“I know. I didn’t.” Eleanor looped a length of nylon rope around his neck and lay the ends loose across his chest.
“Can you make it tighter?”
“Not yet.”
She ran her fingers up the length of his naked body. Goosebumps sprang up in their wake across his skin, and he let out a trembling breath full of anticipation. Already she saw him growing and hardening, aching for release.
“Tell me what you feel,” she said. It was obvious what his body felt, but she inquired about his soul. He knew what she meant. They’d done this before.
“Guilty.”
Sliding her leg across his waist, she straddled him and caressed his chest. “Guilty of what?”
“Cheating on my wife.”
“And what will you do about it?”
“Keep cheating. I can’t help myself. I’m weak.”
“We’re all weak in some way.” She took his manhood in her hand and stroked it into a solid spear, then pierced herself with it. He let out a rapturous moan and bucked his hips as if he’d changed his mind about their dominant-submissive agreement. Too late for that now. She was in control, and always would be. “Repent, and you will be forgiven.”
“I repent,” he said, his voice husky as she moved on top of him, piercing herself over and over again. “I repent. I repent.”
“I forgive you.” She grasped the ends of the rope tied around Aaron’s neck. “Tell me what else you’re guilty of.”
“Misplaced pride.” He jerked when he felt the nylon move across his skin. A shiver rippled up his body. “I lost friends in the Thornton explosion. I watched their families cry at their funerals. I felt horrible for them. But the truth is, I’m glad it wasn’t me. I still value my life over theirs. I shouldn’t, but I do.” Though she couldn’t see his eyes, she heard the tears in his voice. “I’m thankful to be alive while they’re dead. I’m weak.”
Looping the cord once around each hand, she slowly began tightening the rope around his neck. “Repent.”
“I repent,” he said, his words choked.
She thrusted him into her harder and faster, until pleasure and pain were one. It was the only way she could reach Him. “Repent.”
“I…repent…I—” The rope around his neck was too tight to allow any more words to come out. He thrashed underneath her, fighting against his bonds.
“Repent!”
Finally he stiffened, and she felt his sin spill into her. She gladly accepted it as no one else could—it was the fuel for her divine journey. Ironic that man’s sin provided her reason for living after she’d been born with nothing, forced to sell her body, and then discovered her holy gift. Before, she was a lost little girl with an alcoholic, horny stepfather, until she felt the rapture for the first time and He spoke to her. Then Mother found her, another agent of God who’d been told by Him of Eleanor’s special connection, and guided her along God’s path. She didn’t always understand why God made her do the things He asked, or the things Mother asked, but she was forever their servant. Both of them wanted the red raven and the ebony fox to suffer. Mother said it was because only through their suffering would the children be vulnerable to Him, even though Father had not shown the children’s deaths to her yet. No matter. She always obeyed. It was her purpose. She closed her eyes and reached for Him, her light in the storm, her real Father—
You’ll stand at the busy intersection of Mercer Street and Fairview Avenue. He’ll be across the street from you, in his fancy car and his fancy clothes. He’ll spot you and his weakness will consume him. You will beckon him toward you. He will come, and his journey back to me and the path of righteousness will begin.
Come with me, child.
You will open your eyes and look down upon the man who brought you to me as he basks in your glory. You liked this one more than the others, but you must bring him to me. I have great plans for him. You will kiss him good-bye, then tighten the rope around his neck until he is with me.
Do not despair, child. Your quest is almost complete. Soon you will fulfill your destiny, and I will reward you with everlasting happiness.
Back on the wicked earth, Eleanor opened her eyes and looked down at Aaron. With the rope loosened, he breathed hard underneath her, a satisfied grin on his lips.
“Oh God,” he said, breathless. “That was exactly what I needed. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She took hold of the rope again, gripping it with white knuckles. No matter how it pained her, she must obey. It was His divine will. “Go with God, Aaron.”
“Wh—”
She jerked both ends tight, and the rope snapped taut around his neck. He struggled beneath her legs, bucking and thrashing so hard, he almost knocked her off. But she gritted her teeth and held fast until finally he stilled. She fell forward, exhausted from the effort. Pushing the blindfold off his face, she looked into his bulging, lifeless eyes, staring at the ceiling. Droplets of water landed on his cheek and trickled down his skin, and she realized they were her tears. She truly had liked him the most.
Eleanor leaned down and kissed his blue lips. “I’ve given you a gift,” she said. “Walk with Him now. And when you enter paradise, remember me.”
She slid off him, found her cell phone, and dialed.
“I need your help,” she said when Mother answered. “Father ordered me to give him a man’s life, and I obeyed. Now I have to do something with his body.”
“I understand. Where are you?”
“My apartment in Tacoma.”
“Take only what you need and leave now. I’ve got someone in the area already. They’ll come by and clean up.”
“Thank you, Mother. I love you.”
“I love you, too, child.”
Eleanor hung up, put on her clothes, and gathered her very few personal possessions. On her way out the door, she glanced at the husk Aaron’s soul had left behind, and felt a pang of jealousy. Soon it would be her turn—after she purged the world of the evil that defied His will. Then Valentine Shepherd and her vile children would be in His hands, and suffer eternally in Hell, as they deserved.