Empire of Wild

As the ministry continues traveling, Cecile meditates on what to do next. She is still very angry and resentful toward Ivy, but she has accepted that she is not going to be able to seduce Victor. In fact, she now sees herself as on a divine mission to drive Victor out and take his place as the primary minister: “[S]he could be the Eve to his Adam, with Joan as both apple and snake” (207). Cecile reminisces about her childhood, which was difficult; her memories reveal that even as a child, she was capable of doing gruesome things in order to get what she wants. These memories create a menacing impression of Cecile.

Joan ultimately decides to leave Zeus at home, even though he is angry about this decision. As she begins driving north, she comes across a newspaper article mentioning that a development agreement has been signed between a First Nations community and a consultant; from the photo, she recognizes that the consultant is Thomas Heiser. Joan is growing increasingly suspicious of the man.

After driving for a long time, Joan checks into a motel and asks about the traveling ministry. She is told that they are expected to arrive soon.