Chapter 92

Valerie

“Innocent?” The man laughed again, muffled beneath his mask. “How would you define innocence? All we do is by design. Our path is drawn by the hand of our God, and our message and purpose is wholly by his design. It is only right to do as God compel me to.”

The porridge did not sit well inside of me. It curdled, thick and heavy like turbulent waters. I felt sick at his confession, but I could not allow myself to vomit up what I’d just eaten. I didn’t know when I’d get the chance to eat again.

Still, it felt like maggots crawled around in my belly. I tasted bile in my throat.

“If your God told you to sacrifice the life of a young human girl like Ava by making up such a stupid curse, what kind of God would it be?” I asked. “And for what purpose? God does not need coin—that was all for you.”

This seemed to get beneath his mask. Under his skin. The man stiffened. “A moron like you would never understand. I serve a greater purpose. I heed God’s word and honor his blessings. And it