“Hmm. Do you have an appointment?” Her voice wavered, but underneath lay a sliver of steel.
I could see where this was going.
“No,” I said as I sent my dark ether into her mind, ferreting out her name and sour thoughts. “But you are still going to get Sister Carrie for me, aren’t you, dear Agatha?” I smiled, pleased to be taking control of one of Heaven’s servants right under Her very roof.
Have a good laugh while you can, God, you’re not the only one with tricks.
“Y-yes. One moment.” Sister Agatha stood quickly and pushed back her chair with a squeal, then rushed to a door behind the desk.
I smiled, reveling in vicious glee at the fear that had flashed in her eyes.
She reappeared less than a minute later with a younger nun in tow, then Agatha scurried to the door and slammed it behind her.
Sister Carrie, for a human, had a pleasing visage. With lips that seemed made for a constant smile and kind eyes, she could be the poster child for nun recruitment.
“Hello.” Her voice, with a low cadence, could have been considered soothing by some. “Sister Agatha said you wanted to see me?” She licked her lips.
“That is correct.”You naughty little nun, keeping dirty books in your room.I bit back a laugh at the thought of this innocent-appearing woman gobbling up book porn like a starving man set before a buffet.
I was almost tempted to release my power to see if I could entice her intomybed.Almost.The last fling I’d had with a human had sired a child.
And a heap of trouble with Adam, Eve, and God.
Oh, how angry I’d made Her when she'd found out I’d tainted her precious humans. A delicious shiver crawled through my blood at the memory of her wrath. But then I’d found Eve had gotten pregnant withmyson and Adam had raised Cain for years without my knowledge or consent.
The nun stood behind the counter, her gaze shifting from my chest to my eyes, then my hair. “Um…”
My original reason for visiting Earth had been to sate my curiosity about the porn-reading nun, but now, I found something else piquing my curiosity. A whispering in my mind I’d tried to ignore.
“There is a young girl in residence here. Anna Sill. What is her history?”
Sister Fifty Shades smiled. “Oh, Anna? She’s such a spirited child.” Her eyes lit with an inner glow. “Are you family?”
“No.” I spoke that one word louder than I’d intended.
“Then I’m afraid I can’t divulge anything about those we take in.” Her smile dropped. “I’m sure you understand.”
I tsked, then carefully sifted through her mind, not sure I believed her praise for the child. Shedidgo around reading forbidden books.
Every memory that touched on Anna had been gentle and filled with care. Deep in her heart, Sister Carrie did love the little thief.
“I’m sorry.” She gave a nervous laugh. “But it’s my turn as lunch monitor today, so I need to leave.”
What the fuck am I doing? Why do I feel this driving need to ensure Anna’s wellbeing?
“Sister Carrie?” I asked, forcing my tone to remain calm and pleasant.
She’d already made it to the door she’d arrived through and gripped the knob. “Yes?”
“I am no relation, but consider me a…” I flicked a speck of dust from my sleeve. “A benefactor, if you will.”
“Oh?” She dropped her palm from the doorknob and pivoted to face me fully.
I looked down at the counter, lowered my hands, and created a bundle of cash wrapped in a thick rubber band. Since I never needed nor paid attention to the costs of goods on Earth, I hesitated.
How much should I give?
With a quick delve into Sister Carrie’s mind, I deduced the average rent for a home ranged around a thousand dollars a month.
