Page 28 of Nun’s Prayer

What the hell happened to her in that place? All five women had been arrested and charged. They used statements and medical documents as evidence. The church stepped in and forced all five women to plead guilty. They were also dismissed from their roles. An undisclosed figure was paid to Nun, and it was quickly swept under the carpet.

Two months after it had all fallen quiet, the priory burned late into the night. By the time the fire department arrived, it was beyond saving.

I put my phone down. Someone had attacked Nun tonight. They understood what that rosary meant and had used it against her to strike hard. What did this mean for her? And why the hell was I so worried?

Blue

I found Belladonna in the kitchen making hot chocolate, as always. She looked at me and spooned extra mixture into two mugs. “How is she?”

“Devastated. Who’d send her that?” I asked.

“Someone who thinks they can hurt her.”

“They succeeded.”

Belladonna held my gaze and poked at my mental shield. I raised an eyebrow, and she laughed. “I taught you well, young Padawan.”

“She told me everything,” I said, sitting down heavily.

“How much did you know?” Belladonna wasn’t stupid.

“Nun had shared some with me when drunk; tell me you made them pay,” I demanded, cupping the hot chocolate Belladonna offered me.

“They paid.”

“Good,” I retorted.

“Nun loves you.”

“I love her, so that’s great.”

“She won’t ever admit it,” Belladonna said. “How does that make you feel?”

“Just fine. I realise she loves me; she shows me. If she can’t say it, that’s okay. I don’t need the words.”

Belladonna nodded. “Keep pushing at her walls. We all recognise what you are to her, even if she doesn’t. Little Nun is hardheaded.”

“Oh, I know. It’s why none of you have touched me for four years.”

“Nun deserves you; don’t let her convince you otherwise,” Belladonna ordered.

“I’m going to take her to Aunt Kiki.”

Belladonna looked surprised, and then laughed. “Oh, that’s diabolical.”

“Yeah, it’ll be interesting.”

“You’re gonna have to wheedle her into a visit,” Belladonna drawled.

“Nope. My car doesn’t work.”

“Oh, deliver it to Birdie at the garage and… ah… Clever man,” Belladonna finally caught on when I raised an eyebrow at her.

“I’m not so dumb,” I replied.

“We all realise you’re here because of Kiki. Your allowance here is more than you’d get in another job, and we’re very aware you spend most of it on your aunt. Nun deserves the best, Blue. That, I think, is you? She’s not touched another member of the stable for nearly four years. She doesn’t grasp it, but she’s in a relationship with you.”

“I know. It’s letting Nun realise that in her own time.”