Chapter 105: Chapter 105 - Pending death
Virgil lowered his head, trying to hide his face, certain that his expression was giving him away. "I don’t know what you speak of."
Cassian drove Virgil backwards until his shoulders hit the cold stone wall. "You know exactly what I speak of. It is how you got so many of the nobles on your side. You won the hearts of the people, got close to the orphanages, and claimed to be sending the children to good homes."
"I am a man of the church!" Virgil shouted, claiming his innocence.
"Men of the church can be evil," Cassian said, his voice entirely unmoved by the title. "The people aren’t going to love you when they hear what you did to innocent children. I will make certain that the announcement of your deeds reaches far and wide."
"I am innocent in this matter. It is the nobles who commit those heinous crimes. I have been trying to save those children," Virgil argued.
Cassian released Virgil with a shove that sent him stumbling. "Save your lies for your saviour. He shall be the judge of your crimes in death. I have already begun bringing in and questioning the nobles who supported you. The children are being removed and placed somewhere safe."
"You have no proof that I was involved in those crimes. I have only ever protected the children brought under my care. You mustn’t throw accusations at my name simply because you despise me," said Virgil, his chin lifting despite the tremble in his jaw.
Cassian chuckled, and the sound carried all around them. "When you back men into a corner and threaten to kill them, they reveal far more than you need. It seems some of the nobles weren’t especially trusting of you and chose to keep proof."
"Even if they hadn’t kept it, you were always going to hang. If you are lucky, your saviour will spare you before it comes to that. You mustn’t worry, only pray," Cassian said, the advice carrying no comfort at all.
"There is a special place for men like you. You’ll burn in hell!" Virgil spat, cursing Cassian to a burning afterlife.
"If that is so, then we shall meet each other there. I’m sure the demons would enjoy watching a man of the church fall so low. I suggest you get on your knees and start praying that your powers protect you. You’ll hang tonight," Cassian said, the image clearly giving him some quiet amusement.
"I did not do what you are accusing me of. You may ask any of my priests. They will not speak of us harming children, only-"
"Because you did not involve them in your private dealings with the nobles. It wouldn’t have been wise for you to let your followers know what you truly are. They would have turned from you, but nobles don’t trouble themselves with such things," said Cassian.
"This isn’t a battle you are going to win, Virgil. I have already uncovered everything you did, and by morning, you’ll be a disgrace. A proper high priest will be chosen to replace you. I will give you some news," Cassian said, his gaze moving slowly to the dark stains on the walls. "Your priests are asking you to call for their release."
"They gave their lives to the church. They shall see it through to the end," Virgil said, thinking only of himself. "You should admit that you are only coming after me because of the queen. Did Lilith lie and say that I hurt her?"
"She doesn’t need to say it. I can see the lust in your eyes for myself. I hate to think of how many women you harassed, and when they didn’t return your affection, you called them evil and let the people drive them away. Others were stoned to death," said Cassian, his voice dropping to something quieter and far more dangerous.
"I did not instruct the people to harm anyone. They did that of their own accord," Virgil replied.
"But you knew the influence you held. You knew the response you would get, and you enjoyed it. I heard of your plans to burn the evil out of the kingdom. Were you going to burn the women who would not have you? Burn my wife?" Cassian asked, his voice rising.
Virgil’s jaw tightened at the way Cassian spoke of Lilith as his wife. "These are all accusations. I have never hurt any woman or child. I consider them to be off limits since they are weak."
"And yet they are the two you targeted most. You are not going to escape death, so please, be done with denying it all," said Cassian.
"Your priests will have a chance at being saved, but you shall be hanged. Your churches will be wiped clean of any memory of you, and your name will be removed from the record entirely. It will be as though you never existed. The very opposite of your dream of becoming king."
Virgil’s eyes widened as Cassian continued to uncover more of his plans. He had never spoken of his desire to be king. Not to anyone. He only spoke of tying the castle and the church together. "Where did you come up with this?"
"I know it has been your plan. That is half of why you have some interest in Lilith, and why you intended to ask the king to wed Thalia to you, to keep the support of the church," Cassian revealed.
Virgil stared at Cassian.
Cassian couldn’t know of the plans he had kept entirely to himself. Plans that had not yet been acted upon or spoken aloud to a single soul. He had been laying the groundwork for taking the castle, but it was nowhere near being known to others.
"How do you know of this?" Virgil asked, indirectly admitting to it. "Tell me. I never spoke of this to anyone."
"Your God told me," Cassian answered.
Virgil’s eyes searched Cassian’s face for any sign of lies "Heaven speaks only to me. What you must have heard is the devil."
"Then the devil was speaking about you. He seemed to take a particular interest in you. Ask yourself why that would be. I’ll give you something to think about who was granted power and why. The next time you receive a visitor, you’ll hang," Cassian said, turning his back on Virgil and walking out of the dungeon without looking back.
