Calling for a Miracle [The Order of Vampyres 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (5 page)

“Was this the same day that your son, Cain, had also left the farm?” the elder asked.

“Yes, but they did not leave together. Silus had not been able to find Larissa some time after supper while the wedding was still commencing. I had seen Cain after that.”

“Are there any other witnesses to Cain’s presence post Larissa’s absence?”

“Yes. Bishop Eleazar King can vouch for my son’s presence at the farm late that evening. He was retaining Cain in a cell.”

“Let the record show that the bishop is not present to concur.”

Jonas’s father interrupted. “Let the record also show that Bishop King’s personal log will note that, while my grandson was in his custody, he was also released that same evening. I beg your pardon, early the following morning, after my granddaughter was declared missing.”

“Very well,” Damascus stated, turning back to Jonas. “Did your daughter speak to you or your wife about possibly running away?”

“No.”

“You seem awfully certain of that. Perhaps you should take a moment before speaking for your wife with such conviction.”

“I do not need a moment to think. I know my wife. She keeps no secrets from me. Neither she nor I had any knowledge of Larissa’s intentions to leave the farm.”

“Is it true that the evening of her disappearance, the vehicle you had procured for your son Adam’s journey into the suburbs days earlier had gone missing?”

“Yes,” Jonas agreed.

His father quickly amended, “Let the record also show that my grandson, Adam, has already testified that it was Cain who had left with the vehicle.”

Damascus eyed Jonas’s son suspiciously. “I have known you all of your life, Adam, and never have I known you to tell a lie. I will trust that the truck was taken by your brother and move to remove it as evidence.” Turning back to Jonas, he asked, “Brother Jonas, have you ever taken notice of Larissa in the presence of another male while in the care of your family?”

“I am not sure I understand.”

“My son attends many meetings. He tells me that when he cannot be there for your daughter, he trusts her in your family’s care. Have there ever been males, aside from your two sons, present during those times?”

“We have many visitors. I could not be sure. As you know, I, too, attend the same meetings as Silus.”

“Perhaps we should call your other daughter, Grace, in for questioning. Or perhaps Abilene.”

Jonas growled at the elder. “There will be no reason to call in my wife or daughter. I would see it as a personal insult if they were bothered with such questioning. It is under the family law that any male Larissa may have been exposed to be no one’s business but that of her and her husband. No other male or female has a right to question the laws a male requires his wife to follow. It is a private matter.”

“True, however, it is a council matter once a mated female is placed in jeopardy.”

“That is enough,” Ezekiel interrupted calmly. “I will remind you, Brother Damascus, that Larissa and your son are not called mates, simply husband and wife. Furthermore, I will not tolerate the moral fiber of my kin being called into question. Perhaps you would prefer to call your son up for questioning to obtain the personal information you seek.”

Damascus did not seem pleased by Jonas’s father’s suggestion, but relented nonetheless. “Is it true that your daughter-in-law, Annalise, wife of Adam, can communicate with Cain through dreams?”

A wash of quiet whispers flowed from the males sitting at the pews. It was common knowledge only true mates shared dreams. “That is correct.”

“Yet she also dreams with her husband, Adam.”

“True.”

“Is Annalise aware of Cain’s whereabouts?”

“I am unsure,” Jonas provided.

Damascus looked to Adam. “Would you be able to speak on your wife’s behalf?”

Adam stood. “I will speak on my
mate’s
behalf.” He enunciated the title so there would not be any confusion as to Annalise’s position in his life. “When Anna dreams of Cain, it is often set in a location they both know. It must be a familiar place they can each imagine. She tells me she mostly sees him in her dreams right here on the farm, more specifically on the western side of our family’s barn where the sun sets. While Cain may tell her where he has been, he is spending his time away exploring. He moves around often. He rarely returns to places he has visited. His sole purpose in maintaining a link with my mate is to keep informed with the family.”

“And you find this acceptable?”

“That is not your concern. While you may be my elder, she is my mate and I will not be questioned on our private affairs.”

The elder’s thin lips twitched at Adam’s arrogance, but Adam was correct. No male, elder or not, had any right to interfere with the personal business of a mated couple. It was too challenging to find an agreeable common ground to base the philosophy of marriage on when dealing with immortals that dated back to the medieval days and those born this century. Family law stated that a husband and wife chose to govern their home and honor their marital duties privately, following personal beliefs established by the male head of family. Marriage was to be navigated privately. So long as they were not breaking any higher laws, it was forbidden for others to interfere or question a husband’s rule over his mate.

Ezekiel cleared his throat. “While I can understand your desire to locate my granddaughter, I cannot see the purpose in questioning my family to this degree. I feel that this line of questioning has run its course and move to close the issue for today.”

As the other members of the council seconded his father’s movement, Damascus hesitantly agreed. There was no mistaking the displeasure on the elder’s face.

Abraham stood. “I excuse Jonas and call Silus Hostetler, son of Council Elder Damascus Hostetler, to the bench.”

Jonas’s son-in-law stood and walked to the council bench without once acknowledging Jonas or Adam.

“Brother Silus, you may speak your issue.”

“Thank you, Brother Abraham.” Silus turned so he could face both the elders at the council bench and the males of The Order filling the pews. “It has been nine weeks since my wife’s disappearance. Eight of those weeks wasted while Bishop King claims to be searching for her while attending to other private matters away from the farm. I have always been a male to honor the laws of The Order, but I grow weary waiting for news. My wife is weak. She is uneducated of the ways of the English. Her sheltered existence here on the farm has not prepared her for the evils that lurk outside of our sanctuary. While she is immortal, I fear she may be pulled into the claws of temptation and face demons she cannot outmaneuver the longer she is away from my protection. It is the devil’s playground out there and her morality is at stake. I beg you to overrule the bishop’s decision that I should remain on the farm and, please, allow me to search for my wife.”

Abraham shut his eyes and collected his thoughts. “While I understand your concern, Brother Silus, and I sympathize with your plight, I cannot overrule a direct order from the bishop—”

“But she is
my
wife!”

“Hold your tongue, boy! While I sympathize with you, I will not be addressed disrespectfully. You will remember yourself while in the presence of the council or you will find yourself on the other side of the door. As I was saying, a direct order from the bishop cannot simply be overruled because an order member is losing patience. It has been eight weeks. Bishop King is the eldest of all The Order. It is foolish of you to question his ability in finding your wife. His abilities are unmatched. If God has intended for her to be found, Eleazar will find her.”

Jonas could see by the tight bulk of Silus’s bunched shoulders that he wanted to argue. Thinking better of it, his son-in-law merely said, “I have suspicions that her brother, Cain, is assisting her in hiding.”

Jonas shook his head. This was turning into a sideshow. While Larissa was a bit sheltered, she was not so naive that time among the English would destroy her morality. She was a smart woman and Jonas had complete faith in all of his children to survive any challenge without sacrificing their principles. He had four good children. Whether the rest of the world saw them as such was not his concern. He knew them and trusted God to protect them in all matters.

“What exactly would your wife be hiding from, Brother Silus?” Abraham asked.

Adam looked to Jonas. They each knew that there was a substantial difference between the way he treated Abilene and the way Adam treated Anna from the way Silus treated Larissa. However, the same family law that protected them from others interfering in their marriage protected Silus. When Silus had asked for Larissa’s hand, he did not come to Jonas, an error Jonas had struggled with forgiving. Rather, the boy had gone directly to the council to ask permission to marry his daughter. With his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all sitting members of the Elder’s Council, he was able to get his wish. Holding a link to the Hostetler, Zehr, and Rocke family lines, Silus was a young male with unquestionable influence over matters of The Order. Aside from Abilene and his father’s objections to the union, the remaining four elders were in favor, no doubt feeling pressure from the direction of three of the founding families. Jonas had been outnumbered and forced to give his eldest daughter to a man he did not trust.

“I…” Silus began. “I do not know. Larissa would sometimes suffer bouts of delirium and confusion.”

“That is a lie!” Adam suddenly stood up and shouted. “Larissa is one of the sanest and most levelheaded females I have ever come across. She does not give in to rash decisions nor does she shy away from responsibility. She is strong, capable, and kind. I will not stand idly by while you make a mockery of her in her absence. You may be my brother by law, but she is my sister by blood and I advise you to think long and hard before you utter one more lie about her.”

“That’s enough, Adam,” Ezekiel admonished his grandson. “Silus, you have said enough. While I want to see my granddaughter returned home as swiftly as possible, I will not tolerate such lies about her character. Yes, you are her husband and have every right to be concerned. But until we have all the facts, we cannot make any assumptions. For as much as we know about the Almighty’s intentions, she may have been
called
to leave the farm.”

“Inconceivable!” Silus shouted.

“Is it?” Ezekiel snapped back, silencing the younger male. “You are not her mate! You are not yet even the father of her children. Do not disregard the power of God, thinking you are wiser than He. You may have laid claim to my granddaughter and been granted her virtue, but you are no more entitled to her than any other male who is not her true called mate. Before you go on slandering your wife’s name before the council and all other males of The Order, I beseech you to reconsider. A smidge of temperance now may save you a pound of humiliation in the end. You are prepared to blame everyone but yourself in my granddaughter’s disappearance. I look at you and see a male with a fist full of stones, prowling within a glass house.

“We all want to see Larissa returned safely, but do not alienate those who are on your side. Every one of the Hartzlers, myself included, are concerned for Larissa. I would not call our loyalty to our kin into question if I were you. That road only leads to a lonelier place than you are now. Disregard my advice, boy, and see how fast your own actions are called into the light.”

Jonas tried to hide the smirk creeping over his lips. His mouth twitched with satisfaction at seeing Silus taken down a peg by his father. While many of the elders were Silus’s relatives and likely displeased with Ezekiel’s words, they were wise enough to keep their opinions to themselves. Challenging another elder in front of every male of The Order would display division among the council and they were required to maintain a united front. Disagreements and debates were meant to be had behind closed doors.

“I believe we have heard enough on the topic of Larissa Hartzler today,” Abraham announced. “Brother Silus, you may return to your seat. Let the record show that no new evidence in the girl’s whereabouts has been brought to light and the order given by Bishop King still remains in effect. Let us move on to the next matter.”