บท 215: CHAPTER 215 Jump Before You're Pushed 

　　~ JESSE ~

　　"Why weren't you in the Selection tonight? You've got power right? I mean, you're old enough to have taken a mate by now. And it's obvious the females like you. Is it part of your vow? Do you have to stay single because of… the church?"

　　It wasn't part of my faith, but I knew some people chose it anyway. Choosing to give their devotion wholly to God so they were free to serve.

　　Rake looked distinctly uncomfortable as we sat down on the couch in front of the cold fireplace.

　　"No, it's not. I don't have to be single," he said with an uncomfortable shrug. "But I'm not interested in taking a mate in a rite because it's easy. I just… I need someone who feels the same way about God that I do. So they'll understand me. And I haven't found that."

　　I nodded, looking at my hands in my lap. "I get that. It's hard sometimes with Cazz. He… it's like he wants to needle me about God. Like he's trying to get me to think God's not real- or that He's mean and not worth it."