Chapter 10 Secrets lurking.

She had never been a person of intense emotions, at least she didn't think so, but everything that had happened that night had changed things. Although terrifying, that short run through the forest had been exciting, something she only recognized after the fact.

Her encounter with the mysterious but helpless girl named Lucia had also been an emotional roller coaster, from the nervousness and shyness she felt during their conversation at the pub, to the raw and primitive excitement she felt seeing her exercise violence. Many of those feelings were new to her, and they confused her, but above all, they filled her with anticipation.

That night had given her a lot to think about, but Kath felt it would be a waste to do so at that moment. Now all she wanted was to enjoy the wind shaking her hair, feel the continuous purr of the engine beneath her, and appreciate the ride; even when a part of her felt somewhat inhibited by having to hug Lucia's waist while they both rode the motorcycle.

There were no conversations on the way, not only because it was impractical to try to have one while riding a motorcycle, but also because both girls wanted to enjoy what the night and the landscape had to offer. Their silent journey through the town was adorned with occasional guidance from Katherine, and soon the motorcycle parked in front of an old church on the western outskirts of the town.

"It looks like something out of a gothic horror story," Lucia thought as she looked at the building. She wasn't an expert in history or architecture, but something about the building simply emanated that sense of antiquity, like feeling the eroded texture of a parchment or blowing the dust trapped between the pages of a forgotten book.

The stonework and gothic architecture could only capture Lucia's mind for a few brief moments before another line of thought emerged in her head. "Wait, this place is Katherine's home and it's a church, that means she was raised by nuns... that actually explains a lot."

"Why do I feel like you're thinking something rude about me?" Katherine looked at the brunette with narrowed eyes, somewhat annoyed by the way Lucia had been staring in the direction of the church and nodding to herself as if she had understood something.

Lucia looked at the redhead with slight surprise and responded while raising an eyebrow. "You know, you're quite perceptive about some things."

"What do you mean by some things?" Kath wasn't distracted by the compliment.

Out of nowhere, the expression on Lucia's face turned extremely serious, her amber eyes locked directly onto Kath's spring green eyes, and her voice, solid as a rock, spoke words the redhead never thought she'd hear. "You know... you're quite cute when you try to be serious."

That particular compliment was too effective in distracting the redhead. Lucia watched with amusement as the blush rose from Kath's neck to her cheeks and all the way to the tips of her ears, but part of her attention was on something else.

There was something strange about the church. Lucia hadn't noticed it at first because her attention was divided between multiple lines of thought, and although she didn't want to admit it, more than half of them revolved around the redhead. Katherine fit too well with her tastes and pressed all the right buttons for her, making her a huge distraction, but Lucia still noticed the little things her training had taught her to notice.

The door and window frames in the church were made of iron, which wasn't unheard of given the possible era it was built, but it was still something to note. The wood the door was made of, on the other hand, was more interesting, as Lucia was almost sure it was mountain ash. Perhaps in another era or region, that wouldn't have been surprising, but in the British lands, ash forests were becoming extinct due to the extreme humidity of the environment that caused a fungal plague lethal to these trees.

"Iron and mountain ash," Lucia reviewed in her mind as the redhead beside her began to come out of the stupor that a simple compliment had caused. "Shall I accompany you to the door?" Lucia finally asked, seeing that Kath seemed uncomfortable beside her.

Kath, who didn't know how to continue the conversation or how to say goodbye, felt relieved when the other party offered her a way out, even if part of her just wanted to keep enjoying the time with her new friend.

"If I may, my lady." With a gesture and an exaggerated bow, Lucia extended her hand and managed to take Kath's hand, despite the redhead finding the gesture extremely cheesy and embarrassing. At least that's what Kath told herself, but the giggle that escaped her lips betrayed what she really thought.

Time seemed to stretch as both girls walked to the large front door of the church, but not enough, at least not in Kath or Lucia's opinion. Before they knew it, there they were, standing in front of the door, caught between the clear need for a farewell and their reluctance to do so. But someone decided for them.

As they tried to find the words for a farewell, the church door opened on its own, revealing an older woman, perhaps in her fifties, with a severe expression that made you feel like you had sinned even if you hadn't. Her brown hair decorated with gray streaks and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes spoke of a lifetime behind her, but it was her voice that gave weight to her presence. "Katherine, you finally arrived."

The redhead's expression turned rigid, her neck turning at a painfully slow pace until the sight of Sister Superior Elena greeted her. "Hahaha, hello Elena, yes, I lost track of time a bit, I hope I didn't wake you."

Much like the plain and discreet appearance of her religious habit, Sister Superior Elena's response was equally simple. "As long as you're fine, I just hope you haven't been wandering in the old cemetery again."

Kath trembled inside her boots, making it obvious to anyone watching that she had been caught red-handed. Sister Superior Elena raised an eyebrow, exasperated but simultaneously entertained by Katherine's inability to keep secrets.

Fortunately for the redhead, Lucia came to her defense. "Good evening, Sister Superior, my name is Lucia, and it's my fault that Katherine arrived so late. I just arrived in Hertford, and she was kind enough to keep me company for a moment. I hope she doesn't get into too much trouble for it."

Elena carefully observed the unknown girl who had arrived with Katherine. Lucia stood out with her height of one meter eighty, not to mention the muscles barely hidden by her clothing. Her steel-gray hair and general bad-girl aura made Elena look at her a certain way, but that didn't mean she dismissed the girl's words. "She is very polite," Elena thought with some surprise. "And considerate," she added, seeing how the girl defended Katherine to keep her out of trouble.

"I'm glad to know our Katherine showed you some hospitality, and I appreciate you bringing her here," said Elena with an expressionless face, keeping her thoughts private.

"There's nothing to thank. I immensely enjoyed the company; I should be the one thanking you," replied Lucia with a sincere smile as she leaned against the stone frame of the entrance.

"Unfortunately, it's gotten a bit late, and I still need a place to sleep, so I should say goodbye," added Lucia.

Although dwarfed by Elena's presence, Katherine found her moment to intervene when she heard Lucia say goodbye. "You should try Cassidy's Inn; it's comfortable, the food is very good, and you should still be able to find someone to assist you."

"Sounds good," said Lucia while looking at the redhead with a grateful expression.

Though timid, that expression gave Kath the courage she needed to continue. "Just turn right before reaching the Old Pub, the inn is at the end of that street, you shouldn't miss it."

"Perfect, one less thing to worry about," said Lucia before smiling at Katherine and nodding at Elena. "Well, I think it's time for me to go. Goodnight, ladies."

Elena and Katherine watched the brunette turn and walk to her motorcycle, swaying her hips. But unlike Katherine, who seemed hypnotized, Elena quickly stopped paying attention and dragged the redhead inside the church.

Back to Lucia, the brunette seemed lost in her thoughts as she got on her motorcycle. The engine's ignition and its roar brought some clarity back to her amber eyes. Her gaze now drawn to the hand she had leaned on the church, she brought it to her face and with a fluid motion licked her palm as if there was nothing strange about it. "It's salty," she commented, her amber eyes seeming to glow for a moment as she looked back at the church. "There's something strange about that church."