Page 4 of Taken By Sin

She looks to the archway, making sure no nuns are nearby. "Fantasy."

She notices she's leaned in to whisper and quickly steps back.

"I assumed that wouldn't be permitted here."

"It's not." She shakes her head. "But there's a groundskeeper that hides different titles for me.” She walks over to a shelf, peeling back a few books to reveal a hidden stack.

Her cheeks flush red, and I realize this girl's biggest, darkest secret lies in a few books hidden in the shadows. In my own darkness, the secret I hide from the world is bodies.

But hey, we all have our vices.

"So fantasy... does that mean you like to escape?”

She nods her head. “Sometimes.”

"What fantasy books do you read?" I peek at the titles, spotting mostly dragons and muscular fae. Knights that save the princess. Fairytales.

This groundskeeper has done her a disservice.

I shouldn’t say that, as it is actually kind of him to bring contraband into this fortress, to recognize the utter lack of human creation from the outside world.

I look up, at the mural on the ceiling. A battle of sorts is happening above us. A devil tempting a woman with the crookof his finger, luring her closer. The things she must have learned here.

I smile at the painting, looking back down at the girl.Hmm."When is your last day here?" I study her for a moment. Shiny black hair that reaches the curve of her ass. She's petite in height, and thick where I like.

"August eleventh," she replies.

FIVE

MAGNOLIA

August 11th

Beneath my foggy old window is a vent. When someone calls my name, I quickly stash my new books inside, hiding them from possible prying eyes.

"Magnolia!" Sister Mary calls again.

A huff escapes me. "Coming!" I reply, hoping my quiet voice will bounce off the walls to echo back at her. I don't need to get in troubleagain.

I don't think I could take one more punishment.

Today marks my last day at Saint Mary's Orphanage, and I have mixed feelings about it. I wonder how they'll announce my departure. Will the sisters have me walk down the winding drive with just my suitcase, or will I get a ride to nowhere?

My stomach growls as I screw the nails back in the vent cover, hiding my new secret.

A month after Mr. Donati left, I came home to a stack of new books tucked under my comforter, and I've been enthralled ever since.

He was correct about one thing: I read to escape.

I never imagined that a book could encompass magic and friendship so beautifully. As I read, an entire world unfolds in my mind, filled with vibrant colors and scents I've never experienced.

I have no idea how he managed to sneak into my room weeks later, slipping past the sisters unnoticed. I’m convinced those women have eyes in the back of their heads. Whenever something occurs in this orphanage, it becomes the main topic of conversation.

This leads me to question whether his charitable donation contributed to their unawareness.

This is the most generous and considerate gift I have ever received. I wanted to thank him, but the striking man with icy blue-grey eyes glided by like a phantom in the night.

Sister Mary waits at the corridor's end, impatience clear as I hurry down the steps. "Here's your list for today," she says, handing me a lengthy sheet filled with tasks.

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