Chapter one: Before Dawn

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The bells rang long before the sun rose.

Their steady toll echoed across the monastery grounds, cutting through the darkness like a familiar prayer.

Sister Seraphina woke at the first chime.

She always did.

For a moment, she remained beneath her blankets, listening to the wind brushing against the stained-glass windows. The monastery was quiet. Peaceful.

Home.

With a soft sigh, she sat up and began preparing for the day.

The routine never changed.

Wash.

Dress.

Pray.

Work.

Sleep.

Many would have found such a life unbearable.

Seraphina found comfort in it.

There was peace in knowing exactly what tomorrow would bring.

Outside her small room, the stone corridors were already beginning to fill with movement. Sisters passed one another in silence, offering polite nods before continuing toward the chapel.

The scent of candle wax lingered in the air.

Seraphina smiled faintly.

Some things never changed.

And she liked it that way.

⸻

Morning prayer passed as it always did.

Voices rose together beneath the vaulted ceiling.

Sunlight slowly spilled through the colored glass windows, painting the stone floors with shades of gold, blue, and crimson.

Afterward came breakfast.

Then chores.

Then lessons for the village children.

The day moved forward exactly as she expected.

Until Mother Superior interrupted the afternoon meal.

The room immediately fell silent.

Every sister looked up.

Mother Superior rarely interrupted meals.

"I have an announcement."

Her calm voice carried easily through the hall.

"A new priest will be joining our monastery."

Quiet murmurs spread throughout the room.

The monastery had been without a permanent priest for months.

Most services had been conducted by visiting clergy from neighboring towns.

Mother Superior raised a hand.

The whispers ceased.

"Father Adrian Laurent will be arriving this evening. I expect everyone to extend him the same kindness and respect you would offer any guest."

A few sisters exchanged curious glances.

Seraphina simply lowered her eyes and returned to her meal.

The arrival of a priest hardly seemed important.

People came and went from the monastery all the time.

Soon enough, he would simply become another part of daily life.

Nothing more.

⸻

By evening, rain had begun to fall.

Heavy drops tapped against the windows while dark clouds swallowed the last traces of daylight.

Seraphina sat in the monastery library, carefully returning books to their shelves.

The library was her favorite place.

Quiet.

Warm.

Safe.

A place where she could lose herself for hours among stories and scripture.

Thunder rumbled somewhere in the distance.

She glanced toward the window.

The storm was growing stronger.

A knock sounded from downstairs.

Then voices.

The new priest had arrived.

Curiosity briefly tugged at her thoughts before she returned to her work.

It wasn't her place to greet visitors.

Someone else would handle that.

A few moments later, footsteps echoed somewhere beyond the library door.

Slow.

Measured.

Unfamiliar.

The sound passed.

Then disappeared.

Seraphina didn't think much of it.

Outside, the storm continued.

Inside, the monastery remained warm and peaceful.

The library door creaked open.

Seraphina looked up.

One of the younger sisters stepped inside.

"There you are."

"Am I needed somewhere?" Seraphina asked.

The younger sister nodded.

"Mother Superior asked me to find you. She needs help preparing the guest room."

Seraphina carefully closed the book in her hands.

"For Father Adrian?"

"Yes."

The younger sister smiled.

"Apparently the storm delayed him for hours."

Together, they made their way through the corridors.

Rain battered the monastery windows.

The wind howled outside.

By the time they reached the guest quarters, Mother Superior was already there arranging fresh linens.

"Ah, Sister Seraphina."

Mother Superior offered a grateful smile.

"Would you fetch another blanket from storage? The nights have grown colder."

"Of course."

Seraphina disappeared down the hall and returned several minutes later carrying a folded wool blanket.

As she rounded the corner, voices drifted from the entrance hall.

One belonged to Mother Superior.

The other was unfamiliar.

Male.

Deep.

Calm.

She couldn't make out the words.

Only the sound.

Without meaning to, she glanced toward the entrance.

Several sisters had gathered nearby to greet the new priest.

Curiosity tugged at her.

Only for a moment.

Then she continued walking.

The blanket nearly slipped from her arms as someone stepped around the corner.

Startled, she halted.

The other person stopped as well.

For a brief second, neither moved.

A man stood before her dressed in black clerical clothing dampened by rain.

Water still clung to the ends of his dark hair.

He looked equally surprised by the near collision.

"My apologies, Sister."

His voice was polite.

Measured.

Seraphina lowered her gaze immediately.

"No, Father. It was my fault."

A small silence followed.

Then he stepped aside.

"You were carrying enough without needing to avoid me as well."

Heat crept into her cheeks.

How embarrassing.

She offered a quick nod.

"Thank you, Father."

Without another word, she continued down the hallway.

The encounter lasted no more than a few seconds.

By tomorrow, she would likely forget it happened.

And judging by the priest's expression, he already had.

Outside, thunder rolled across the hills.

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