Chapter 2 - The Interrogation
Panic rippled through the wealthy mourners as heavily armed men secured every exit in the building.
Riona instinctively pulled Anel completely behind her back to shield him from view.
"What are you doing, Aldrich?" Riona hissed defensively.
"I am getting the truth," he replied, stepping forward to close the remaining distance between them.
He gently but firmly grasped her elbow and guided her toward the private vestry near the altar.
Anel followed quietly, his small hand gripping the hem of his mother's black coat.
Aldrich locked the thick oak door of the vestry behind them, trapping them in the small room.
He knelt down slowly so he was at eye level with the young boy.
"What is your name?" Aldrich asked, his tone surprisingly soft and entirely devoid of his usual menace.
"Anel," the boy answered bravely, holding his chin high just like his father always did.
Aldrich swallowed hard, visibly struggling to maintain his composure in front of his secret son.
He stood back up and glared furiously at Riona.
"You hid my own flesh and blood from me for seven years," he accused with suppressed rage.
"You didn't give me a chance to tell you," Riona fired back, tears of frustration stinging her eyes.
"You chose to believe Roland Vain's lies over the woman you claimed to love," she reminded him bitterly.
Aldrich flinched as if she had physically struck him across the face.
May you like
Before he could offer a single word of defense, a deafening explosion rocked the foundation of the church.
The beautiful stained glass windows shattered inward as a barrage of heavy gunfire rained down from the street.
