Witamins

He meant business, Esther realized as Father Nightroad’s face hardened upon seeing the subterranean plans. And he told her that he was to stay there, in no uncertain terms.

She got distracted from her observations when he reached over to hold her face and lock baby-blue eyes with her own.

“I’m ordering you to stay at the Vatican.” His voice held a note of finality that sent trembles down her spine.

No, something else made her tremble.

Her vision was getting blurry.

She was getting sleepy.

“Yes, Father,” she yawned. Standing up to shake off the feeling, she felt her body pitch forward.

Abel waited and walked toward her with his arms out in front of him.

The young sister collapsed without a word.

~*~*~

“I’m sorry,” the white-haired priest apologized profusely to the maitre’d, careful not to drop the nun in his arms. “She’s not been feeling well lately. The food must have not suited her.”

“I am sorry as well, Father Nightroad. Shall I charge the Vatican your tab?”

“Please.” He nodded and smiled goofily.

How odd he must have looked on his way back to his chambers, carrying the slumbering nun like the child she was to him.

Father Tres was waiting in his chambers, a pair of handcuffs dangling from one hand. “I am present, Father Nightroad. You requested these?”

“Ah yes,” he sighed, accepting the restraints after gently laying his bundle on the bed. “I can order her to stay here all I like, but we both know how well she is at following orders.” His voice dropped with each word until the volume reached a mere whisper. The sound of the handcuff clanking against the bedpost’s iron as it was latched shut resounded in the room.

The priest winced as he latched the other end around Esther’s tiny wrist, running a finger down a visible vain in her arm.

“I’m so sorry,” he whispered as he looked at her face.

If only she knew.

“I’ll return within the next hours, Father Tres. And I’ll lock the door from the outside. She is not to leave this room, under no circumstances.”

“Understood,” the A.I. responded before he took his seat for his duty. “Be safe, Father Nightroad.”