Judah got to his feet, pulling on my hair so I scrambled to my feet. Brother Micah moved behind me and immediately sliced down the back of my vest so all that was covering my modesty was my white slip. Gripping the slip at the back, the material clung to my shape.

Men in the crowd stared upon me with lustful eyes, some edging forward closer to the stage. “Ah, my brothers, I see the siren’s call has pulled you in. For her body was created to cause lust in the hearts of men.”

Judah’s hand started at my shoulders, then slowly drifted down. “Her shoulders are feminine, gentle. Her breasts full and pert.” I fought back bile as Judah’s large hand cupped my right breast, kneading at the flesh, pinching at my nipple.

His hand then dropped to my waist. “Her waist is small, her stomach perfectly flat, leading to hips that flare and welcome a man between her thighs.”

Judah released me, and I slumped to ground, the rope burning my wrists.

“Many have been tempted by this woman, this whore.” Judah looked behind him at the council of elders. “Step forward if this woman has cast her spell upon you.”

Brother Micah stepped forward, then Brother Luke, and finally, my father. The crowd gasped at the elders admitting their weakness. Judah stepped to the edge of the raised stage. “And brothers who gaze upon this woman now. Step forward if you have been staring at this Cursed, wishing you could join with her, taste her, touch her.”

Trembling, I lifted my chin only to witness many men, tens and tens of men, stepping forward. Tears that I had been too numb to produce tumbled down my cheeks. Curse this face! Curse this body!

Judah spread his arms. “Tonight we shall rid this woman of her evil forever!”

Brother Micah appeared at my back again and ripped off my slip, leaving me bare to the crowd. Some of the men become crazed with lust as they stared at my naked flesh.

“Brother Micah! Retrieve the lash!” Judah ordered, and I heard Brother Micah pick up something off the floor. Hot breath was suddenly at my ear, and Micah said, “This is my retribution, Delilah. You too shall be scarred… if you do not die first.”

I did not feel fear like I should. Quite the opposite. They wanted me to be scarred, repulsive… not be deemed as perfect. They wanted me to repent, admit to the evil within me.

But they would not get their chance. I wanted to die if it was a choice between that or residing here at commune. I just wanted to be rid of this evil stigma.

A smile spread upon my face, and I watched as Brother Judah frowned at my response. A flush of red clouded his face as anger at my petulance took hold. Dipping my head, I squeezed my eyes shut.

The first crack of the lash cut into my flesh and a white-hot flame of pure pain racked my body. An involuntary cry burst from my lips, and I glanced up just in time to see Judah grin in triumph.

I steeled myself for the next lash, the one after that… and those that followed. Sweat ran down my face, pooling on the wooden floor where my head hung low.

Even the light breeze felt like razors slitting my back. When the lashes stopped, my back sagged with weakness, and Judah kneeled down, quieting the voluminous crowd.

“Do you repent your tempting ways?”

Forcing my mouth to remain shut, I turned my gaze from Judah.

Shaking his head, he placed his attention behind me. “Untie her.”

Someone cut the ropes at my wrists and my body crumpled to the floor.

“Secure her!” Judah ordered, and rough hands took hold of my arms and ripped me from the floor. Someone pulled at my hair, and I found myself looking at the faces of the crowd. They seemed to blur into one, no defined features, no distinguishing clothes. But then they began to part, angered by someone pushing her way to the front.

A flash of red was the first thing I saw, a whimper sounded second, and a moment later, my eyes cleared enough to see Phebe lay her eyes upon me and cover her mouth with her hand.

I kept my eyes on my sister as Judah addressed the crowd. “Jesus Christ died on the cross to atone for mankind’s sins… but some sins cannot be wiped clean. Being at one with Satan is a mortal sin.”

Judah held out his hand and a thick metal rod was placed in it. “This heathen shall meet the Lord wearing the mark of Christ so our Lord knows that all was done to save her tainted soul… alas in vain.”

I could see tears falling from Phebe’s eyes as she watched Brothers Luke and Micah hold my arms, baring my naked front to the people of New Zion.

A barrel set to side of the stage was ignited by my father with a match, the flames rising high, the heat too hot for my exposed cheek. Taking the rod, Judah placed it in the fire, the end reddening with contained heat. Lifting the rod and walking toward me, he placed it vertically on my stomach, pressing down, the boiling metal scalding my skin.

Whether I wanted to or not, weakened or not, a gargled scream ripped from my throat, and Judah’s eyes lit with satisfaction. Every muscle in my body was taut—no breath, no air could I inhale…

“This harlot shall forever bear the sign of Christ, the redeemer, our savior. The cross shall keep the devil living within her at bay!”

Immersing the rod in the barrel of fire, Judah pulled it from the flames and held it high. Shutting my eyes, I braced for the next laceration… and it came, burning my flesh, the putrid smell of its mark hitting my nostrils.

Casting the rod to the ground, Judah looked me in the eyes, my consciousness fading, and asked, “For the final time, Delilah, whore of Satan, do you repent for your sinful ways?”

I knew this was it, the moment I chose my fate. Flickering my gaze up to the night sky, I stared at the lonely moon and prayed, Lord, help me keep strong. See me through this trial, for I want to rid myself of this evil… I want to be saved, by death.

Judah spat on the ground at my feet and proclaimed, “By fire you shall burn. By boiling blood you shall be purified of your sin!”

A pained cry came from the crowd, and Phebe fell to her knees. Judah’s eyes narrowed at her in displeasure. Then he addressed my father and Brother Micah. “Brother Micah, Brother Isaiah, take Delilah to the hill of perdition. You know what to do.”

My father took Brother Luke’s place at my side, and together with Brother Micah, they dragged me off the stage, my toes losing their skin on the rough wood.

I must have lost consciousness after that, for the next thing I remembered was being awoken by Brother Micah pushing his manhood into my core. “Lord, Lord, forgive me,” he panted as he thrust into me two more times. I did not even feel it.