The Assumption (The Hypothesis of Giants Series, Book One)

Chapter 13: The Confrontation

Boreas was shoved down onto his knees in the center of the ballroom, followed by Babs, who was led out by two other cloaked men. Fawn stood up, horrified, and everyone else looked on with blank expressions. Aurora took a step back to the edge of the dance floor, holding onto Eileen, who looked as if she might fall over at any minute.

Fawn spoke out. "What is the reason for disturbing the party?"

The Great Secretary stepped forward. "We found the accused kissing Miss Barbara O'Hara in the Sacristy, amidst the sacred books!"

The audience cried out in confusion and anger. Babs's fiancé stepped forward, his face filled with anguish.

"Babs, is this true?"

She started to sob uncontrollably, and Boreas was flung to the ground.

The fiancé continued, exasperated, "He's an agitator. He must have forced himself onto her. Justice must be served!"

"No! No, he didn't," Babs cried out. "Please. It's all my fault."

"Silence!" Fawn's voice boomed out, and everyone went silent.

Boreas hadn't said a word, and Aurora caught his eye, but he immediately looked the other way. Otus was standing, unsure of how to proceed. Mrs. Xiomy held his arm, and everyone appeared to be waiting for Fawn to pass sentencing.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" she asked, pointing down at Boreas, who finally looked up and stared at her square in the face.

"I have nothing to say to you," he said brusquely, and the armed guards shocked him with an electric current that flowed through the electrical cord. His body shook in convulsions.

"Speak in your defense, or else I will have to sentence you. And our laws down here are not the same as what you have in Candlewick, Boreas."

"You have no right to call me by my name."

"Who do you think gave you your name?"

"A mother doesn't abandon her child at five years old for this place!"

The Great Secretary ordered the guards to shock him again but this time Fawn cried out, "Stop! Take him to the chapel. Both of them! The party will continue despite this momentary disturbance."

The officers lead Boreas and Babs away, and Fawn followed suit with the Great Secretary at her heels. The band started up the music, but Aurora grabbed Eileen's hand. "Come on!"

They snuck out after the group as the rest of the congregation proceeded with talking and dancing. She turned to Eileen. "Do you know a way that we can eavesdrop? A secret chamber? Anything?"

"There's the vent," she said, snapping out of her stupor. "I used to have to clean there when I was younger."

Aurora followed Eileen as they headed to a picture, which she removed to reveal a grated vent. She unlocked it, and together they clambered inside, replacing the vent behind them. They then crawled through the narrow, dark passageway. Aurora felt like a mouse crawling unobserved through the walls. She couldn't see anything in front of her but followed Eileen's movements until they got to a place light was emanating from slits in the vent. They both put their ears against it and listened to the conversation echoing from below.

"You are going to be locked up for a long time! Kissing a woman who is already betrothed is punishable by ten years in prison."

"My fiancé has the right to not press charges!" Babs cried out vehemently. "And he never wanted to marry me. Our parents are forcing us!"