Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
The rain eased from a downpour into a sprinkle, mirroring the fervor of our first kiss.
However, the break in the storm allowed us our opportunity to slosh down the slippery, muddy mess of a trail.
After several slippery footfalls and almost losing our balance, I finally let go of decorum and slid the rest of the way on my backside.
Lilith was aghast at the idea for several moments before she too gave up and carefully inched down, sliding next to me. When we finally reached the bottom of the hill, mud and clay caked our shins and forearms.
“Reverend Mother is going to have a fit when she sees us,” I said, helping Lilith to stand. Another rumble of thunder crashed above us. “I think this is only a break in the rain—it’ll be back. Can you run?”
Lilith reached down and took off her thin-soled shoe, tilting it forward and letting a small stream of dirty water trickle out before slipping it back on with an audible squish. “Race you to the church?”
“A race? Are you sure you’re up to the task of—”
“Ready, set, go!” She giggled, taking off in the direction of Altar Church.
With a laugh, I took off after her. “That was cheating, which I’m pretty sure is a sin!” I called. “And you call me the bad nun.”
The ground eased soft with rain beneath my steps as I chased after the golden-haired beauty. A laugh escaped my throat at how lovely and free she looked running through the field, glancing with a smile over her shoulder every few moments.
“I won,” she panted, resting her palms on her knees when we reached the side door of the church. “You’re no match for me,” she bragged, out of breath and still giggling. “What a strange day, what an odd hike.”
“Are you going to tell me what happened up there when you saw the rock?” I wrung out my long hair before brushing twigs off my sopping under-dress.
“What do you mean?”
“What do I mean? You turned to ice up there. Holding that… what was it? A lock? To your chest.” I reached to my side. “Oh, no.”
“You have it, right?”
“I left it in my tunic,” I confessed, glancing back up the way we’d came, up the mountain to where we’d peeled off our heavy, wet dresses.
Lilith put a hand to her chest and straightened. “I have to go get it.”
I outstretched my arm and grabbed her waist as she tried to walk past me. Just as I did, lightning splintered the sky, buzzing the hair on the back of my neck with electricity. “Like hell you do. You’re not going anywhere. We’ll fetch it later if it’s that important to you. I’ll help, okay?”
“Do you promise?”
“I promise. Now, let’s get inside and wash off before—”
The door to the mudroom flew open. Sister Pandorian stood with two towels, motioning for us to come inside. “Good, you’re finally back. Hurry up, she wants you.”
“Oh, like it was an easy little trek?” I replied sarcastically as we shuffled into the church.
“You got cleaned up fast,” I remarked, noting Pandorian’s fresh tunic, though her hair under her habit was surely still damp.
“Is Reverend Mother losing her mind at the opportunity to yell at us for being reckless?”
Lilith squeaked as she towel dried her hair. “Oh, dear. I hope not.”
“I’ll talk to her,” I assured the nervous nun.
Sister Pandorian tossed us two dry tunics. With her mouth in a straight line, she paused in the doorway. “Something is wrong… come to the sanctuary as soon as you’re changed.”
“What’s the matter?” I asked, unbuttoning my soaked gown. “Is Veilentine truly that cross with us?”
Pandorian paused, looking hesitantly towards Lilith and then to me, as if she couldn’t speak as freely as she desired due to her distrust of the newcomer. Eventually, she decided against her unease. “Howl Moor is in disarray.”
A flash of bright light lit the dark room, followed by a few seconds of eerie stillness before thunder banged.
“What’s going on?” I asked through the unearthly chill in my bones.
With haste, I shrugged on my tunic before turning my back and allowing Lilith to do the same as I fought to fasten my veil over my head.
Bats, beasts of the field, looming figures, swaying swans, howls in the night…
Sister Pandorian bit at her nails, tapping her other hand against her hip. “We’re still gathering the details… but something has happened.”
Lilith stood close to me, as if to receive or offer comfort in anticipation of the next words the nun spoke.
“Someone is missing,” Sister Pandorian finally said. “We fear the worst has happened.”