The door opened without ceremony. Vicar Förner stood in the doorway, his narrow face set in its habitual expression of suspicion.
“Father Heinrich,” he said, not bothering with pleasantries. His gaze slid to Katharina, lingering. “And the girl. How…diligent you both remain in your studies.”
I straightened, shifting slightly between Förner and Katharina. “We’re in the middle of a lesson. Is there something you need?”
“I need to discuss certain concerns that have come to my attention.” Förner stepped into the room uninvited, hands clasped behind his back. “Regarding the convent’s sick ward.” He nodded toward Katharina as if she were a piece of furniture.
I felt her tremble behind me, felt her fear like a physical thing. My jaw tightened, teeth clenching.
“The sisters work under my supervision,” I replied, my voice flat. “Their service to the sick is exemplary. Surely you’re not suggesting the Church’s own charitable work is suspect?”
Förner’s eyes narrowed. “I’m suggesting that there have been rumors of women with…particular needs. It raises questions about what exactly is happening under your roof.”
“Healing and prayer, Vicar. As is our duty.” I let a hint of steel bleed through my voice. “Unless you have evidence of wrongdoing, I fail to see what concerns you could possibly have.”
“Evidence is what the Drudenhaus is for.”
The threat hung in the air between us. Something dark unfurled in my chest, a shadow that wanted to reach across the space and close around Förner’s throat. A shadow that whispered it would be easy—so easy—to make him stop talking, forever.
I smiled instead. “The Bishop has been quite clear that we are not to pursue accusations without cause. Panic and paranoia serve no one—they only create more work for the courts and waste the Church’s resources on innocents.” I paused, letting the words sink in. “I would hate to have to mention to His Grace that you’ve been questioning the virtue of our charitable efforts—especiallywith the unrest in Bamberg over your investigations.Didn’t you arrest a lord’s wife last week? I’ve heard he was quite upset, had several meetings with the Bishop. I would hate to see you stripped of your position because of public pressure.”
Förner’s face went red, and a sadistic pleasure twisted my gut.
“I am simply doing my duty?—”
“As are we all.” My tone remained pleasant, but nothing else about me did. “Was there anything else, Vicar Förner? As you can see, I’m quite busy.”
For a long moment he stood there, bristling, clearly wanting to push further but knowing he’d been outmaneuvered. Finally, he turned on his heel. How had I once feared this man? But that had been before, when his authority within the Church had meant something to me. Now I saw everything so much more clearly.
“Watch yourself, Heinrich,” he sneered from the doorway. “And watch who you choose to protect. Rot corrupts quickly and must be cut out.”
The door closed behind him with more force than necessary.
I waited until his footsteps faded before turning back to Katharina. She’d gone pale, her hands trembling where they clutched the edge of the table.
“He suspects,” she whispered. “He knows?—”
“He knows nothing.” I took her face in my hands, guiding her gaze to mine. “He’s a small man grasping at straws, trying to make himself important. You are safe. Do you understand me? I will not let them touch you.”
“You can’t promise that. No one can promise that in this place?—”
“I can and I do.” I kissed her forehead. I would do anything—anything—to keep that promise. “You have nothing to fear. Not while I’m here.” I should have told her that long ago, but I had been a coward, hiding behind duty and propriety. The shadows had cleared all that away.
She searched my face, looking for something. Whatever shefound seemed to satisfy her, because some of the tension bled from her shoulders.
“I trust you,” she said finally.
“Good.” I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger against her cheek. The urge to protect her was all-consuming, the only purpose I needed. “Now. Where were we?”
“The Gospel of John,” she answered, but she was smiling now. Small and shaky, but a smile nonetheless.
“Ah, yes. Greater love.” I pulled her close, tucking her head beneath my chin. “Though I think we can agree John knew nothing of such things.”
She nuzzled closer, her heart’s rapid beat thrumming against my chest. So much trust in that gesture. So much faith that I would keep her safe.
I would.
Förner could suspect all he wanted. Let him. Let them all suspect. I had already decided—had decided long before Walpurgisnacht—that I would do whatever it took to protect her.
