AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So, like cleaning the bathroom? Cooking food?” I asked, keen on understanding my responsibilities. I was an expert at Ramen noodles, but roast chicken, I didn’t have the first clue.
“Yep, pretty much, that’s it,” she began, enthusiasm lighting up her face. “We rotate duties every week. One week, you might be helping with the cooking, preparing meals for all of us. The next week, you’re assigned to cleaning duties, ensuring our living and studying spaces are kept neat and tidy.”
“Sounds like I’m back home.” I half laughed.
“We are not just students here, Kat, but caretakers of this institute, too.”
“And the Fathers... they oversee everything, or do they participate, too?”
“They don’t lift a finger, trust me, but they keep a watchful eye on all that happens.” She gave me a deadpan expression. “Get used to it,” she said. “But it’s not so bad, really. The food is good, no one wants to hurt you, and the simplicity here is refreshing.”
I stared at her, then couldn’t help myself.
“Someone wanted to hurt you out there? Because I can sort of relate. My stepdad detests me, and after I destroyed his Dodge Charger, I’m certain he wants to murder me.” I gave her a lopsided grin.
“Oh, yep, he’d be mad. My ex is kinda psycho like that, too. I broke up with him after we got busted trying to rob a Seven-Eleven, and I got thrown in here. He promised to break me out, but he’s always been a treat-em-rough kind of guy, especially with me.” She shrugged and stuffed a mouthful of potato into her mouth, then started chatting with the girl on her other side.
While I filled my plate with roasted chicken and salad, I kept watching Father Logan and caught him doing the same toward me. The heat rushed back to my cheeks, stronger than before, but I forced myself to look away. That was when I noticed Louise glaring at me. Then without warning, she abruptly rose from the table and rushed out of the dining hall.
No one seemed to notice, just kept eating and chatting.
I turned to Lily. “What’s her deal?” I whispered, nodding at Louise’s now vacant seat. “She looked ready to charge at me across the table, war cry and all.”
Lily chuckled softly. “Oh, that’s just Louise,” she began, her tone light and dismissive. “She has a few screws loose, if you catch my drift. Most of us have learned not to take her theatrics to heart and mostly ignore her. Better to keep your distance.” Seeing my raised eyebrow expression, she continued, “Honestly, Kat, don’t pay too much attention to her. Louise is known for her mood swings and doesn’t always make sense. It’s just her way. Best thing to do is to give her space.”
Her words did little to soften my mood, but I decided to take Lily’s advice to heart.
As I started to relax, the chatter abruptly ceased. My attention was pulled away from my half-eaten meal, the fork halfway to my mouth, as two more priests walked into the room, Father Mason and another die-hard gorgeous man.
They were robed in the same long, brown habits, their hoods down. The new man was strong, not as big as Father Logan, but still solid. He had an unkempt mane of lighter hair, the ends brushing the broad expanse of his shoulders. His skin was tanned, contrasting sharply with his piercing gray eyes. Tattoos peeked out from under his robe at his neck, the edges of tribal designs.
Lily leaned in closer, her voice a whisper. That’s Father Bridge,” she said. “Despite their looks, can you believe they haven’t made any move on anyone yet?”
I couldn’t help it—a surprised laugh spilled from my lips. It was loud enough to break through the silence of the room, drawing glances from the other girls and the Fathers. I lowered my head, cheeks burning.
“Why would you expect that?” I hissed at Lily, trying to keep my voice down.
“Because the girls here want it. We’re all of consenting age and horny as hell,” Lily whispered back, a wicked grin stretching across her face. “But I guess they must be the real deal. I heard they had a rough past and were into gangs and all that until they found God and turned their lives around.”
I glanced back at the three Fathers sitting at the end of the table. They ate and chatted quietly among themselves, seemingly oblivious to the sea of longing gazes directed their way.
A deep voice cut through the noise.
“Now that we’ve all had our meals and settled in,” Father Mason began, his voice resonating throughout the hall. He stared at me, a warm smile on his face. “I want to formally welcome our newest member, Katerina Harper, who joins us from Charles Town.”
A murmur of interest spread through the hall as all attention turned to me. Fire flooded me as I shifted uncomfortably under the gazes of about a dozen women.
“Let’s be kind to her and remember what it was like when you first arrived,” Father Mason continued, his voice kind. “Help her find her way as she learns to grow and better herself here at Shadow Hill.”
“She’s the lucky one,” a girl several seats from my left stated, half laughing. “She’s got you three in charge. For me, I had Father Michael making me scrub the floor of the kitchen on my first day to teach me discipline. So, lucky you, Katerina. Welcome.” She raised a glass of juice to me, and others followed.
I wasn’t sure what to say.
Another girl with tight blond curls from across the table leaned forward, her eyes narrowed. “Why are you here, Kat?”
Before I could even open my mouth to answer, Father Mason interjected.
“That’s not anyone’s business.”
