After about 15 minutes, Don and his family arrived at the church.
It was an old building, its stone walls weathered by time but still standing tall and dignified. The stained glass windows caught the morning sunlight, casting colorful reflections on the ground, while the towering bell tower loomed above, its cross visible from nearly every angle. The large wooden doors stood open, welcoming the congregation inside.
They parked in the sizable lot, where numerous other cars had already gathered. As Don, Samantha, Amanda, and Summer stepped out, they noticed families like theirs lining up to enter the church.
Most paused at the entrance to greet a gentle-looking pastor and a nun who stood beside him. The pastor, an older man with silver-gray hair and kind, wrinkled eyes, shook hands with each visitor, offering them warm smiles and words of blessing.
The nun, however, was far from ordinary.
She had bright, almost unnaturally green eyes, her gaze captivating anyone who looked her way. Her hair was the same striking shade of green, pulled back under her habit, and her skin was pale, almost porcelain-like, giving her a sort of ethereal beauty.
Every man who passed by couldn't help but stare at her, their expressions turning dazed and foolish, as if spellbound. Some of the men even had their wives and families with them, yet they still looked at her as if drawn by an invisible force.
As Don's family drew closer to the entrance, he noticed this odd behavior.
At first, he didn't pay much attention, his eyes wandering around the church grounds. But as they neared the doors, he caught sight of one man with a gorgeous wife on his arm, practically drooling as he greeted the nun. Sёarᴄh the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Don frowned. 'I get that she's attractive, but aren't these guys overdoing it?' He could understand if it was just single fathers or unhappy husbands, but even men with beautiful women by their sides seemed star-struck.
The nun didn't shake hands like the pastor; instead, she stood with a serene smile, nodding and saying softly, "The Lord welcomes you into His home." Her voice had a melodic quality to it, almost too perfect, too alluring as if it was carefully practiced.
When it was finally Don's family's turn to greet them, the nun's expression shifted the moment her eyes met his.
For a brief second, her green eyes widened in surprise, and something dark and angry flashed across her face. It was subtle, but Don didn't miss it. Before he could react, Samantha stepped forward, smiling warmly.
"Good morning, Father John," Samantha greeted the pastor. "How are you this morning?"
The pastor, his face lighting up with recognition, smiled back. "I am blessed as always, my dear." His gaze shifted to Don and the others, his smile widening with surprise. "So, my eyes don't deceive me! Is that Amanda? Little Summer? And Donnie too?
Hah! You've really grown! I must be getting old." He laughed heartily.
Samantha smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry we haven't been able to come as a family in so long, but I'm glad we can now."
Father John nodded, still smiling. "The Lord works in mysterious ways. I'm just happy to see you united once more in the house of God."
His gaze shifted to the nun beside him. "Oh, where are my manners? This is Sister Rose," he introduced. "She recently transferred here from Europe and has been a godsend. Our church has seen more donations and prosperous projects under her care."
Samantha nodded toward Sister Rose. "Nice to meet you."
Sister Rose smiled back, her expression seemingly serene once again. "Nice to meet you all," she said softly, though her gaze was locked onto Don.
As her eyes bore into him, Don felt something strange stir inside him. It was like an odd, almost primal urge—a need to possess her, to make her his. The sensation was unsettling, and for a moment, he nearly frowned, but he quickly hid it behind a bright smile, playing along with whatever game this was.
"Nice to meet you," Don said in an excited tone, mirroring the starstruck men he had noticed earlier. Summer, catching his expression, rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed.
"She's not all that," Summer muttered under her breath.
Samantha, oblivious to the strange tension, pulled a set of car keys from her pocket. "I brought some food for the church," she said, handing the keys to Don. "Could you get the packages from the car before they go cold?"
Father John clapped his hands together. "Oh, brilliant! Thank you so much. May the Lord provide you with many blessings for your generosity."
Before Don could move, Sister Rose stepped forward. "I shall help him with that endeavor and show him where to put the food, if that's alright," she offered.
Father John beamed. "Yes, yes, please do."
Samantha smiled. "You'll find us inside, Donnie."
Don nodded, and as Sister Rose moved closer, he felt that strange stirring again. Her presence was magnetic, and her voice, when she spoke, stirred something deep inside him—something he didn't like.
It triggered his *Unfazed* trait, which helped him remain calm under pressure. But this... this was different.
"Lead the way," Sister Rose said, her voice soft yet compelling.
Don smiled like an idiot on the outside, replying hurriedly, "Sure thing." But as they walked toward the car park, he wondered. 'What the hell is she?'
The short walk to the car was interrupted constantly by men stopping to greet Sister Rose, their eyes glazed over with admiration. They smiled, asked her how she was, or what she was doing, while giving Don the occasional hateful glance.
By the time they reached the car, Don's thoughts were buzzing. 'Is she a succubus?' he thought. 'But at a church?'
He had no idea what Sister Rose truly was, but one thing was certain—she was dangerous. And for whatever reason, he had caught her eye.
When they reached the car, Don opened the trunk and began removing the food packages. As he did, Sister Rose stood close, her green eyes never leaving him. "Are you the boy from the Central Mall attack?" she asked suddenly, her voice both terrifying and enticing. "The one who helped stop that villain... what was his name? Ah yes, Nightshade.
Was that you?"
Her words sent a chill down Don's spine. There was something off about the way she asked. Why that, of all things? He wasn't sure, but he remained calm, his *Unfazed* trait keeping his emotions in check.
"No," Don said smoothly, stacking the food packages in his arms. "I didn't help stop Nightshade. I just protected my mom from some Green Thorns."
Sister Rose smiled, though there was something calculating behind her eyes. "I see. That is commendable. You are a very brave young man. Follow me."
Don hesitated, glancing at the small, visible part of the tattoo on his wrist. 'If she's dangerous,' he thought, 'I might have no choice but to use this.'
With a silent resolve, he picked up the last of the packages and followed her as she led him to a side door on the church.