Pastor Ted warned the congregation. Aria’s father shifted restlessly next to her in their pew. “We must stand together to protect God’s house—God’s people—against the influences of people who want to sow strife in this family just as their own houses are full of strife.” Pastor Ted glared at Aria and her father. Aria looked away and squeezed her fists as tightly as she could in her lap. Across the aisle, Tara followed Pastor Ted’s gaze to Aria and stared openly at her. “The Bible warns of terrible consequences for apostates, those who fall away from their previously glorious calling in Christ!” Pastor Ted’s tone rose to fever pitch. Aria could feel the coldness set in around her. She didn’t know where to look. She grabbed a Bible from the back of the pew in front of her and flipped it open so the onionskin pages rippled back and forth.
