The Fallen (Annual Game Night: Sector Five Alphas #3)

Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Sister Emily Agnes

I was wrong. I was wrong about everything. At first, I felt like everyone was blowing Game Night vastly out of proportion, but the later it gets, the less I’m inclined to think so. The other Sisters gather for prayers in the chapel, their plaintive voices crying out in the confining room.

Though I long to join in, I have no idea what to even say or to pray. They saw the aftermath. They dealt with the fear. There is nothing in my brain to compare any of this to, no memory I can cling to or draw from.

In the convent, I was safe. We all were. No one dared bother us. And why would they? Here, in Sector Five, it seems as if God Himself turned His back on His people. That is, if the Sisters are to be believed.

Up until now, I showed no fear. The only emotion clawing at my insides was a deep longing unlike any I’ve felt before. Could it be that Father Draven’s absolution has tainted me somehow? Brought my inner demons to the surface?

I’d like to think it’s not possible, but it’s certainly not out of the realm. Nothing is. Every day spent in this order, I feel as if I learn something new. And not all of them are lessons I enjoy learning.

As I kneel here, fingers clasped and head hung low, I pick up on their fear. I draw it in as if it’s my own. There’s a frenetic energy that pulses through, like a heartbeat, thrumming through us until we are one.

Shadows skitter along the walls, cast about by the candles lit for intercession. They’re like demons scurrying about, threatening to consume me. Is it because of my weakness? My unholy desires? Am I the one who will endanger everyone just by living?

The bells ring out, making me nearly jump out of my skin. Next to me, the other Sisters jolt as well then go back to their praying.

One .

Everyone freezes and looks at each other, their eyes wide like lost sheep.

Two .

My heart climbs into my throat as the quiet hysteria flows over me, consuming me until I find it hard to breathe.

Three .

I look to Mother Superior, taking my cue from her, but she looks just as uneasy as the rest of us.

Four .

What will happen to Father Draven? Will he really turn into a beast like they’re making the other Alphas seem? I can’t believe it. I refuse.

Five.

It’s as if the entire abbey holds its breath, waiting for the next chime.

Six .

Closing my eyes, I let it out in a whoosh, forcing my body to stop shaking. One hour left until hell visits Sector Five. Will we be safe? Will we be prepared?

As the last chime dwindles down, Mother Superior rises and motions for us to stand. Without saying a word, she directs some of the others with her fingers. They instantly move into action.

From the back of the chapel, they pull out solid wood panels. It’s as if they’ve run drills and practiced this. It takes no time at all to place them over every point of entry.

The moment they lay flat upon the doors, metal spikes shoot out and embed themselves around the perimeter, keeping it firm against it.

“Now then, Sisters,” she murmurs. “The abbey will weather this storm as it did last year. Only now, we are far more prepared. No one will come in, and no one will go out. Until this night is over, this place is an impenetrable fortress. All we can do now is trust that God will carry us through. We will eat our dinner in silence and prayer, then retire to our rooms for the duration of the evening.”

For a moment, she pauses as she looks us over, her gaze suddenly very old and sad. “You will hear many atrocities tonight. It is the nature of where we are located. Do not leave your rooms. No matter what you hear. No matter how close the sounds may seem, do not leave your rooms. You will be safe in them. Any moment you feel fear, simply turn back to scripture. They will direct you.”

One by one, we file after each other and slip into the communal dining room. Unbidden, I look over at the head of the table where Mother Superior sits and awaits her food. At the opposite end, Father Draven’s seat remains empty.

Though I don’t wish to break the silence, I am concerned for the Father Confessor. He was not at Mass this morning nor breakfast. Other than that brief, erotically charged moment in the hallway, he’s been absent. I raise my hand and wait to be called upon, not wishing to anger the woman.

A heavy sigh flits through her lips as she nods in my direction. “Make your question brief, Sister Agnes.”

“I was merely wondering if Father Draven is well and will be joining us for dinner. It would be nice to have him bless all of us before we retire to our rooms.”

She shakes her head and forks a bit of meat. “He is already secured down in the catacombs. I have already seen to what few needs he has and ensured there is enough food in his cell to last through the evening. Before you ask, he is quite comfortable. He will want for nothing until the end of this trial.”

There’s nothing more to say then. Lowering my head, I make the sign of the cross and eat. The food tastes like ash in my mouth. Normally, I enjoy every dish brought before us, but tonight, everything is off.

I can’t tell if it’s the company or the increasing unease that makes me want to push my plate to the side. Either way, none of us seem to really relish the idea of dinner. It’s just one more thing to do. One more perfunctory action to perform.

It’s no use. I don’t want to be here. I want to be somewhere else. I want to be with him.

Every time I close my eyes, I see Father Draven’s face. His lips move as if he’s trying to speak to me, but after a while, I realize he’s simply praying. But then he curls his fingers, beckoning me to come over to him. His lips twist up into an odd smirk as he urges me closer.

My pussy throbs as I inch over to him, knowing the pleasure and agony he can bestow upon my body. Though I’ve not touched myself, my thoughts have been far from pure. What I need is his punishing touch and his absolution.

Hunger fills my gut as I think of tasting it again. The very idea consumes me, drives me far more than the dish in front of me. I starve, I yearn, I desire only him.

“Sister Agnes,” a voice cries out, startling out of my daydream.

Looking up, I see Mother Superior looming over me, her lips slashed into a stern frown. “I swear you would lose your head if it were not on your shoulders. The hour draws late, and you’ve barely touched your food. You’ve been staring off into space as if it will get into your body by osmosis.”

“Forgive me, Mother Superior. I fear as if I have no appetite tonight.” Not for this, at least.

With another long-suffering sigh, she motioned to the other Sisters. “You do not seem to be alone in that regard.”

Again, the bells toll, their chimes so loud and so sudden, I drop my fork against my plate with a tremendous clatter.

One .

I take in a deep breath.

Two .

I let it out.

Three .

My heart pounds hard against my ribcage.

Four .

I don’t think I’m actually ready for this.

Five .

Am I truly safe?

Six .

Are any of us?

Seven .

After the last chime, a loud siren blares, drawing a startled shriek to my lips. Around me, the other Sisters huddle together, each of them comforting the other. Somehow, I sit alone with no one to cling to, no one to share my terror with. In this moment, I feel more alone than I ever have before.

Eventually, the sirens stop, only to be replaced by the voice of a woman. The sound wavers as if calling out over a long distance. They must be using the speakers strategically placed around the city.

“The UGC acting in accordance with the verdict cast forth from the ABOSSD has declared a trial. The unrest amongst the Alpha Elites has been brought to the attention of the governing body. As a result you will be granted one night in which your cerebral monitors will be turned off. This will allow you to experience all the emotions, drives, and aggressions of an Alpha. You are free to act on these impulses as your aggression center will no longer be short-circuited, inhibiting your actions.”

A brief pause, and then she continues.

“This freedom will last for a period of fourteen hours from seven pm Eastern Sector time on October thirty-first until nine am Eastern Sector time on November first. Please note: This is for Sector Five only. Since the number of registered omegas in Sector Five has far surpassed critical level, it is now safe to suspend Alpha Ordinance Twelve, Dynamic Interbreeding Permissions Act, for this one night. It is our goal that this one night of reprieve will help with the growing unease and allow you to bleed off your need to hunt and capture. May you find freedom in this Game Night and make this experiment a success.”

Freedom.

It feels more like a prison sentence. With a gentle nod, Mother Superior motions for us to clear the table. None of us say a word as we bring our dishes to the kitchen and head to our rooms.

The closing of the doors thunders in my ears, making my heart stutter for a moment. As I walk over to the window to look outside, to maybe catch a glimpse of the horrors they’re talking about, I find that I cannot see out of them. Heavy boards cover every inch.

Seems as if they’ve thought of everything. Boredom flits along my veins, making me feel heavy and wooden. Normally after dinner, the other Sisters and I play some games or talk. Being confined in my room feels more like a punishment than a protection.

The bells have chimed enough times that I really should consider either finding something else to do or making myself sleep. Unfortunately, my options are rather limited. All I’m doing is putting off the inevitable.

With not much else to do, I slip into a sensible set of pajamas and slide into bed. Getting some extra sleep won’t be a bad thing. And the sooner I go to sleep, the sooner I can wake up and see Father Draven. Only sleep refuses to come.

From outside the windows, terrified screams, horrific growls, and lusty moans seep in from around the barrier. They should overwhelm me, fill me with fear. But they don’t.

All it does is cause the lustful feelings to surge until I can’t help but reach between my thighs and stroke myself. What would Father Draven say if he knew what I was doing right now? Would he be horrified to know the cause? Would he punish me even harder?

As if I conjure the devil himself, a manic howl of anguish and need rises from the floor. It had to come from underneath. It has to be Father Draven.

What if he’s hurt?

No longer do I care about my carnal needs. If he’s down there with no one to help him, it could be catastrophic. Hurling myself from the bed, I fall down to the floor and press my ear against the wood. There. It’s faint, but I can hear him.

He sounds like an injured animal chained up. This is ridiculous. He shouldn’t be cast aside like this, left to suffer alone when we ostensibly have each other. At the very least, I need to make sure he’s okay.

Easing out of my room, I listen for sounds coming out of the other Sister’s rooms. Soft smatterings of snores greet me. Seems as if I’m the only one awake. How fitting. The lone watchman with the lantern while the others snooze.

I pad over to Mother Superior’s door and rap on the worn wood. No answer. I wait a minute or so before knocking again, but still she doesn’t come to the door. My fingers tremble as I turn the nob and slip inside. There, on her bed, she lies asleep with a small lamp to illuminate the space.

Thick pads reside over her eyes, and headphones sit snugly over her ears. No wonder she didn’t hear me. Frustration slithers through my veins, spurring me forward. There has to be something I can do.

Though I don’t wish to wake her, I’m not sure how else I can have her check on Father Draven. As I creep closer, I notice something odd sticking out from under the edge of her pillow. Metal, by the looks of it. Far too thick to be a rosary.

With every breath in, I slide it out, using her snores to help hide any minute jostling. Soon, I free the set of keys from their confines. This has to be what’s holding Father Draven hostage.

My heart skips a beat as I force my steps to be slow and steady, not wishing to rouse her. What I’m doing is wrong. I know it deep down in my heart. Thankfully, I’ll have Father Draven to absolve me. This is, after all, for his benefit.

I stop at the door to the steps, my heart and mind at war with what I should do. Though I know the correct answer, just go back to bed and forget all about this, I can’t help but wonder what it’s like to see an Alpha under this affliction. Granted, I’m sure Father Draven will not be like any of the monsters they spoke about.

Pressing onward before my nerves can get the better of me, I push open the door and make my way down into the catacombs. Cool air swirls around my ankles, sending a chill through my body. His plaintive moans are far louder now, drawing me deeper in his lair.

Despite the age, there’s still a sense of modernity. The lights buzzing around me, lighting my path, are so at odds with the ancient stonework. It’s a dichotomy, as if this space itself is a gateway, a portal of sorts.

As I come around the corner, I stop short. There, pacing in his cell, is Father Draven. His hair sticks out around his face, making him look wild and dangerous. My clit throbs as every movement exudes sexuality.

Without his normal priestly clothes, he looks even more alluring. He looks mortal, like a normal man, and not a vessel of God. I can’t stop my body from responding to him, no matter how hard I try.

This was a bad idea indeed.

His lips part as a dark chuckle erupts from his lips. “Well then, it seems as if my sacrifice finally appears. Come, lamb. Release me, and I will show you heaven even as I drag your soul down to the pits of hell.”