Jezebel

Part One: 28

Jezebel smiled at the sight. It was almost too sweet to watch the two figures huddle together like cold, frightened chicks. "Why do you hold the child like so?" Raising a brow, she stared into Devani's mismatched eyes. "You think I would kill her like I did the others?"

The child whimpered and clung tighter to Devani like the young woman could actually save her if it came down to it. Jezebel shifted in her cushioned seat and placed a hand on the smooth wooden armrest. It was late into the night, probably past midnight but the worshippers were still present. They knelt at the background, some praying, humming or simply staring at her like she was some sort of celestial vision. She chose to speak to Devani in her tongue, it would keep the content of what she was about to discuss much more private.

"This is my favourite." She lifted a chunk of roasted adder meat and popped the morsel into her mouth. "Yum. Want some?"

Devani shook her head rather forcefully, terror alight in her gaze. Jezebel loved to toy with her prey, and at the moment, the girl was a prime candidate for such. She had a mousy appearance and her plain brown garment did little to help the fact. Maybe she would look prettier—stunning even—if she added a bit of flesh and brushed up her face with a little cosmetic. Malachite and kohl would do wonders to her eyes.

"There is something I want you to do for me." Jezebel waited for a response, when none came she continued her speech. "I am in need of your ability."

Devani stared at the floor and listened.

"I understand your gift lets you... discern people. Is that correct?"

She nodded.

"Good." After wiping the oil of her fingers with a napkin, Jezebel stood and clasped her hands behind her. "There is a sect in Israel whose members are known as prophets. I want you to point them out... using your gift of course." A small smile touched her lips. "You would be busy for quite a while. Do not miss a single—"

"No."

"What?" Jezebel tilted her head to the right, mildly amused at the defiance that now shone in the girl's eyes.

"I would not do it."

Jezebel stared for a moment then threw her head back and cackled. When she collected herself a bit, she allowed cold warning seep into her next words. "You are not in a position to refuse, dear girl."

To Jezebel's surprise, Devani knelt straighter and looked her dead in the eye. "I will not do it." She spoke in clear Hebrew, shocking Jezebel. "I will not help you pick out these prophets. You will kill them. I know this..." her eyes seemed to dart pointedly to the figures behind her before she looked back at Jezebel's face. "I saw it."

Disregarding her profoundly idiotic bravado, Jezebel honed in on a single sentence. "You saw it?" Her heart drummed with excitement. The girl did not only have the gift of the eye but she could see the future. "Beautiful." She drew nearer, bunching a fistful of her silk gown as she moved. "The possibilities."

"I rather die than do what you asked."

The girl's defiance finally got to Jezebel. With an angry hiss, her hand flew. She made her strike swift and heavy enough to turn the girl's cheek bright pink.

"I am your queen. You will obey me and you will treat me with respect." Her palm itched to strike again but she restrained herself.

Devani refused to utter a word. Her jaw worked as her eyes shone with resolve.

"Is that so?" Jezebel straightened. She knew it when a person's mind was made up. The girl before her had reached that point.

Resting her gaze on the cowering child who still clung to Devani, Jezebel chose to resort to her original plan. Something in Jezebel always suspected Devani would resist. Without the mark of allegiance, it was impossible to be assured of loyalty.