Chapter 33: The Circle of Light, Part 1

Well into the night, the lantern guttered, leaving Charlisse in a darkness so thick she could feel it. The ship moved gracefully beneath her, sending a rush of water against the hull. If not for the hard wood under her feet, she could easily imagine herself floating endlessly through an empty voida plane of existence halfway between death and eternity.

But God was with her. She felt his presence in the cell. And in her heart. After what had happened with the two pirates, she knew he had not given up on her yetthat he was still keeping a watchful eye upon her. Was God the father she'd been searching for? She supposed time would tell whether he could be trusted, and whether he considered her worthy enough to be his daughter. The latter she highly doubted. If he truly was the awesome God she was beginning to realize he was, why would he want someone like hersomeone who would only bring dishonor to his name?