by Katie Clark
“Philip!” Skye hissed.
He spun toward her.
To their right, light glowed like a beacon. To the left, darkness.
Left it was. They moved quickly, the guard on their heels. Arched doorways dotted the base of the tower, but they needed to get as far away from the sacrifice as they could.
A commotion behind them let him know the guard was close.
Philip dug deep and found the strength to sprint, but before he could make his move he was yanked backward. Stars danced behind his eyes. Lying on his back, looking up at the night sky, he registered one solitary image.
The guard, standing over him, and holding a massive sword to his throat.
29
Skye screamed as Philip’s head hit the ground. He lay still, staring wide-eyed at the guard above him. The guard began to turn toward her. Thinking fast, Skye dashed away. Whittler couldn’t chase her and keep Philip at bay, and since he’d been charged with keeping her, she guessed he’d follow. She was right.
His thunderous footsteps pounded behind her, in sync with her heartbeat.
God, please let Philip get up and chase after us.
And help Philip take this guy down.
She darted inside the tower. She couldn’t make it home without Philip, though, so there was no thought of going just yet. The darkness inside the tower made it impossible to move swiftly. Instead, she pressed herself into a corner and tried to still her frantic breathing.
The guard was onto her, because she didn’t hear his footsteps.
She waited, breathing through her nose as slowly as her rapid heart rate would allow. A soft clink to her right put her on high alert, but the noise didn’t sound again. She stood tensely, waiting.
“You may as well come out,” Whittler finally said. His voice was close—too close for comfort.
She closed her eyes and held her breath.
God, please!
Suddenly, light shone in the distance, enough to illuminate Whittler, but Skye was hidden behind a pillar, and she was fairly sure he couldn’t see her.
He spun around, searching, but he didn’t find her.
The light moved closer, coming from the depths of the tower.
“Who goes there?” Whittler shouted.
“The guard!” the shout came back. “Identify.”
“It is Cristo.” Whittler stomped toward the light. “I am tracking the girl. She escaped, but if we can find her, perhaps Lilla will spare Leah.”
Skye froze, just managing to hold in her gasp.
Leah! Saul and Lilla were so cold-hearted they would sacrifice their own servant in the name of pleasing the gods?
She should have insisted on taking Leah with them in the tunnels, rather than leaving her to be taken by Saul’s people at Ezekiel’s.
She could not leave Leah to die in her place no matter what Philip said. Leah was worth more than that.
Philip. She glanced around, thankful for the dim light as the guards discussed a plan of action. She used their distracted state to sneak behind columns and make her way out. Philip lay outside in the dust, a purple lump on his forehead. Gasping, she moved to his side and shook him. “Philip!” she hissed. “Wake up!” There was no blood, and he was breathing. Why wouldn’t he wake up? She stood, biting her lip against the pain in her ankle. She had to get him to safety, and fast. Gripping his shoulders, she pulled with all her strength.
He barely budged, but he did moan and move his head.
“Philip,” she whispered, shaking him again. “Wake up, Philip. We have to move fast!”
He groaned again and rolled his head from side to side. After an eternity, his eyes fluttered open.
“Philip!”
He blinked.
“We have to go. There are more guards.”
His eyes focused, and he moved to sit up.
“Can you walk?” she asked.
He took a sharp breath and rubbed his head but managed a nod.
She helped him to his feet and directed him in the opposite direction from the guards. This route put them closer to the lights of the sacrificial altar, but she wanted to save Leah, didn’t she?
They hobbled as quickly as her ankle and his head wound would allow. It wasn’t easy, but they made progress through the desert brush.
She managed to get them behind a larger bush, in view of the altar at the base of the tower.
Torches illuminated the area now, and guards worked to build up and protect the area.
Philip moaned as soon as he hit the ground. He might be awake, but he wasn’t fully coherent.
The only people in sight now were the guards. No Lilla. No Saul. No Leah. There had to be a way to intercept Saul’s caravan before they reached the tower.
“Skye!” a voice hissed.
She spun around, squinting in the darkness, then gasped. “Seth!”
He rushed forward, taking her hands and kissing them. “I cannot believe I have found you again. I was hit from behind, and when I awoke I was in a different alley. You were gone.”
She wanted to believe him, but she had to hold her emotions in check. He could have been sent to trap her. “How did you find me?”
He shook his head. “I did not know where you would be, but when I saw the lights lit at the tower, I knew they might try to sacrifice you. I came straight here.”
His eyes implored her to believe him.
Stupid emotions. She did believe him. She scooted behind him to see where they’d hit him. He didn’t move.
Dried blood had pooled at the base of his neck.
She let out a relieved sigh. “Thank God you’re here. They’re sacrificing Leah. We have to save her.”
He didn’t seem surprised, and she narrowed her eyes. “You knew this.”
“I suspected they would use her when we left her behind. I kept it from you with the intent of returning you to your home safely.”
Emotions overwhelmed her. So many people who wanted to help her. Why?
You are beautifully and wonderfully made.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. She did matter, at least to God. And not only to God. To men of honor like Ezekiel and Seth. And Philip.
“Can we help her?” she asked.
Seth sighed and looked to the altar the guards were building up. “We can try.”
“Great.” She barged into a plan before he could change his mind or Philip could fully come around. “They will most likely arrive in a caravan, don’t you think?” There was no way Saul and Lilla would put on a huge festival only to sneak into the sacrificial area unnoticed.
“Agreed.”
“Can we attack them on the road before they get close?”
His eyebrows raised. “Attack? Just you and me, with no weapons?”
Her hopes deflated. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
Philip moaned and rubbed his head. If they were at home, she’d insist he go to the A and E.
“OK, Plan B. We storm them when they arrive. You grab Leah and run.”
Seth stared at her. “You wish to sacrifice yourself for Leah’s sake?”
Tears stung her eyes. Is that what she really wanted? Leah had been kind to her when no one else had. She’d been interested in helping Skye. Had seemed to care about her.
But was Skye willing to die for Leah?
Be still and know that I am God.
The Scripture invaded her mind, filling her with peace. She squared her shoulders. “Yes, I am willing to do this. God will protect me.”
“Even in death?” Seth asked. He looked as if he believed her, but he was testing her. Making sure she believed it herself.
“Yes.” This time she was positive.
Seth leaned back on his haunches, glancing around the area. “You truly believe in this God and His Son you spoke of?”
She nodded one last time, and he sighed. “Then I will help you. Do you see the dust at the bottom of the hill? The way the people scatter?”
She followed his gaze and found th
e obvious signs of a road caravan. “They’re coming.”
“Yes.”
Skye took a steadying breath, searching her brain for a plan.
Philip had a knife. Maybe she could get ahold of it.
“Philip,” she whispered. He moved his head toward her but didn’t make eye contact. “Philip, I need your knife.”
At first, he didn’t respond, but finally his eyes met hers. “Why?”
“Saul and Lilla are coming.”
He grunted but reached his hand into the folds of clothes.
She took the knife, almost surprised he had given it up. “Philip, are you OK?” She hated leaving him here, defenseless. Another thought hit her, and she gasped. If she let herself be taken, she was sentencing Philip to stay here for the rest of his life.
Philip took her hand. “Of course I’m OK.” But his eyes couldn’t even focus on her.
God, I can’t do this on my own! Her stomach twisted in knots. If she left Philip here in this state, he would be caught for sure. Forced to spend the rest of his life as a slave? All so she could save Leah? And what about Mom? And Mr. Matthews? She closed her eyes and pointed her face to the sky.
Be still and know that I am God.
Was this something she had to do? In her heart the answer was clear. She wanted to help Leah. I trust You, Heavenly Father.
The caravan stopped at the base of the tower.
Saul climbed out first and then Lilla.
The crowd had followed the caravan to the top of the hill, and when a robed and hooded figure was brought from the caravan, the people cheered.
“He-bat! He-bat!” they chanted.
Nerves twisted in her stomach. These people thought the gods of the skies would bless them for their sacrifice. They believed they were doing good.
Someone needed to warn them. To tell them the truth.
“Ready?” she asked.
Seth nodded.
She swallowed her fear and prepared to run. “Let’s go.”
They crouched and moved as quickly as they could through the brush, making their way closer to the altar.
Whittler stepped from the tower and moved close to Lilla. He whispered in her ear, and her eyes widened. She turned suddenly, scanning the area.
Chills broke out across Skye’s arms, but she kept moving. She wouldn’t cower before Lilla.
When they’d moved close enough to make their move, Skye gripped Seth’s arm. “Thank you for helping me. You are very brave.”
Seth’s shoulders straightened with pride. “It is my honor to help you.”
If only she could express her gratitude. “On three. One—two—three!”
She darted forward at the same time as Seth.
Lilla spotted her first and screeched, “Grab her!”
The guards practically ignored Seth, and he moved to the side and took Leah in his arms. He picked her up in one swift movement and kept running without stopping.
Skye ducked away from the first guard, moving closer to Saul.
The man who had locked her in a room. Forced her into playing the part of Hebat. Prepared a festival to kill her.
Still, he seemed the lesser evil between himself and Lilla.
“I am not Hebat!” she pleaded loudly.
A guard charged, and this time she couldn’t duck away.
Using her knife, she ground her teeth and plunged it into his arm.
The guard growled, but didn’t let go.
So much for taking away Philip’s only weapon.
“I am not Hebat!” Skye shouted again. “You are terribly mistaken!”
Saul only smiled, reminding her of a crooked politician. “Part of the magnificent show of the gods!” he called to the people.
The crowd cheered.
Skye fought against the guard, who still held her firmly. At least no one had tied her to the altar. Yet.
Turning toward the crowd, she shouted, “Killing in the name of Hebat will not bless your land! There are no gods of the sky. There is only one true God! He wants your obedience, not your sacrifice!”
The people seemed unfazed in their feisty state. They’d partied for three days in hopes of a sacrifice. They would not be put off by her pleading.
“Hebat has visited because of the tower we build to honor the gods,” Saul shouted. He raised his hands toward the night sky. “Our land will be blessed!”
The people cheered.
Lilla stepped close to Skye as Saul went on.
Chills washed over Skye again, this time from the wickedness of this woman. “I am not Hebat!” she hissed.
Lilla smiled evilly. “I know that, you stupid girl. I care not who you are. You are no one to me. No one to anyone! That is why you will make the perfect sacrifice.”
A cold chill enveloped Skye, but she fought it. Lilla’s words seemed to confirm her deepest fear—that she meant nothing to everyone. Mom was too busy with work. Dad was too busy with life. Philip had better, cooler friends.
Be still and know that I am God.
Skye’s eyes slid closed. She couldn’t believe the lie Lilla presented. The lie that Skye was worthless. “You need to let me go,” she bit out, opening her eyes.
Another smile slithered across Lilla’s face. “I cannot do that. You may not be Hebat as my dimwitted husband believes, but you will do nicely as a sacrifice to her.”
Lilla turned to the guards. “Tie her down.”
“No!” Skye shouted. She fought against the guards as much as she could, kicking and wiggling. “I am not Hebat! Trust in God!”
The people continued ignoring her, and she continued fighting.
The guards thrust her onto the hard, stone altar. Each of them took a limb and began tying her down.
Fear swirled around her in dizzying gusts. She would die. She would never see Mom again. Never see home again. Never see Philip again.
Smoke filled her nostrils and she strained to see what was burning. Two guards held armfuls of straw, and two held torches. They were lighting her on fire, and she would die.
Her life would end here, and for what?
30
Philip watched the people around the altar. His brain weaved in and out of confusion. What was Skye doing with Saul again?
Hadn’t they escaped?
His gaze moved to the tower, and he frowned.
They were here?
All they had to do was get inside and speak the ritual. They were so close. Why hadn’t they done it yet? Events and conversations passed through his memory. The guard from the dungeon. Seth. Leah.
Reality hit Philip with a pain in his forehead. Leah was being sacrificed, and Skye wanted to save her. Philip gasped and sat straighter, watching with sickening clarity as the guards tied Skye down. Had Seth taken Leah to safety?
They had to get out of here, right now. He reached for his knife, but had another memory. He’d given it to Skye. Grinding his teeth against his frustration, he moved closer to the action. All he had to do was cut Skye free, pull her into the tower, and speak the words that would take them home.
Easy, right?
OK, not easy at all. He had no way to cut her free, and definitely not in front of a huge crowd of onlookers.
Did God get them through all of this just to let it end here? With sickening resignation, he realized he didn’t actually know what kinds of plans God made. All he did know was that he had to try.
Fighting against the dizziness, he moved around the side of the temple and into the dark corridors. Light from the torches around the sacrifice glowed in the distance, and he moved from column to column, drawing closer to saving Skye. As he darted between various bits of construction, he noticed a few different things.
Tools. The place was littered with builder’s tools.
Score. He grabbed what he could, sticking something that looked like a pick axe under his robe and holding various tools in each hand. He finally made it to the corridor just beyond the altar.
The crowd’s focus was on Saul and
his loud musings.
Lilla stood to the side, smiling like the wicked witch she was.
The guards were distracted, but not that distracted.
Saul finished his latest spiel and then paused for effect.
A voice rang out. “You cannot go through with this!” Ezekiel stepped through the crowd, followed by Seth’s father and two other old men. The other council members must have arrived.
“Ezekiel! You are welcome to watch, my friend,” Saul bellowed. “The sacrifice is about to commence.”
He completely ignored Ezekiel’s warning, but Ezekiel moved closer. “The council forbids it, Saul!”
The people around the tower stopped their cheering. This was apparently something worth listening to.
Philip had no idea how these people regarded their council members, but he was glad for the distraction.
The guards moved forward at Saul’s beckoning.
Philip darted to the altar, using the tools to cut Skye’s arms free.
She gasped, tears streaming down her face. “Philip!”
“Shh!” he hissed. He quickly sliced through the ropes at her feet and practically dragged her into the tower.
“We have to say it. Now!”
Skye glanced frantically at the events unfolding outside. “What about—?”
“It doesn’t matter!” he said too loudly. “Ezekiel and the council will deal with this. If we get out of here—”
“Hebat is gone!” Lilla shrieked.
A guard spotted them, and he and Lilla started toward them.
Skye turned to him and clutched his hands. “I’m ready.”
He swallowed hard and nodded, as the guards rushed him. “On three. One—two—three.”
“Ultu ulla ati, me peta babka.”
Two guards reached them and locked onto Skye’s arms. This was it. They hadn’t made it.
Someone hit Philip on the head, and the world tilted on its side. Sand swirled around him. Wind blew across his skin, blurring his vision and spinning him in circles.
Philip heard a scream. Felt a jolt.
And then he knew nothing.
***
Skye woke up in a grassy field. At least, she thought it was a field. She squinted against the sun’s light, shading her eyes with her hand. On her left, land stretched out as far as she could see. Slowly, she turned her head to the right.