"You don't have to worry… your secret's safe with me."
Cardinal Peter gave off a broad, sincere smile as he touched his chest for emphasis and nodded gently. "You have my word."
Martha said nothing, simply eyeing him suspiciously.
"You don't believe me? Even though I've been honest with you all this time?" His expression quickly turned sour, however, he still had a playful vibe around him. "That hurts."
"I'm sure you'd understand my skepticism. It's my life that's at stake here. If the Church ever found out…"
"Why would I be the one to tell them? The Saints Cult has no formal ties to the Papacy, or am I wrong? We've been labeled a Cult, and even though we aren't being hunted down like those other Heretics in the world, the Church isn't particularly an ally…"
'He's not wrong.' Martha thought to herself. 'Maybe I'm just being paranoid.'
