Matthew Cook by Nights of Sin

Author:Nights of Sin [Sin, Nights of]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2012-06-01T17:30:47+00:00

“What do you think? Isn’t that the most amazing story you’ve ever heard?” he says the moment the door closes.

“I think the child must have died, but somehow stayed inside of her. I’m not sure how she managed to sicken, or what happened to the babe’s body, but—”

“How can you say that?” Rath snaps. “You saw what is in her. Was that some illusion? Or do you think maybe she’s possessed? I’m sure the priests will accept that answer, but I will not.”

“I saw … something,” I admit. “But I do not know what. Whatever it is, it’s strong. And doesn’t want to be seen.”

“Well, it’s not a case of possession, that much I do know,” Rath insists. “I found her in the market almost two years ago, selling pottery and other trinkets. She tried to hide her condition, but I sensed something odd about her, and my inner vision confirmed my suspicions.

“But she was cautious, and resisted telling me her story. It took me weeks, but finally she came to trust me and admitted she had been hiding from the priests of Shanira for years.”

“Hiding? Why? Couldn’t they help her?”

Rath shrugs. “She’s had run-ins with those pompous fools in the past. She hurt herself several years ago: slipped on some stairs and broke her arm. The wound sickened, until she was worried she would lose her arm, so she went to a healer, only to learn the gangrene was too far gone to cure with mortal medicines. Desperate, half delirious with fever and agony, she went to Shanira’s temple, seeking relief.

When they examined her, they could not fail to notice her true condition.

“The priests treated the gangrene and restored the bone, and when they were done they tried to ‘cure’

her unnatural pregnancy. She was already well past the age when women can become pregnant, you see.

When their healing powers failed to begin her labor, or to explain the nature of the child, they accused Napaula of consorting with demons. They threatened to cut it out, for the good of her immortal soul.

“Somehow, she managed to escape them, and swore she would never confide in a priest ever again.”

I ponder his words, shifting from foot to foot in the dank hallway. My disgust for the priests and their foolish superstitions is sour in my mouth.

“I didn’t believe her possessed, of course,” Rath continues, “but just to be sure, I hired a man to examine her. An ex-priest who had been driven from his order for drinking and other vices. Even though the power of his god was no longer with him, he confirmed that Napaula does not have any of the signs associated with possession: scarring; wounds that refuse to heal; speaking in tongues; aversion to sunlight, or to water blessed in one of the Temples of the Nine.”

“You were very thorough; I congratulate you. But I still don’t understand … what do you want of me?”

Rath leans forward, and whispers, “I’ve been trying to convince Napaula to deliver the baby.

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