Father Grant didn’t take Father Burnside’s word lightly. The old priest had seen some things which was why, Father Grant assumed, he’d been assigned to Golden Oak School for Girls. There were rumors of a group of priests who were on a mission to collect old books and keep them in the secret library behind the boardroom at the school.
As for Father Grant, he never understood why he was assigned to Golden Oak School for Girls. It wasn’t even a Catholic school. Yet he and Sister Joan arrived not long before Georgia Seaforth.
Now, he was in possession of one of the books he’d been told about. Somehow, it had gotten mixed up with the books in the students’ library.
Father Burnside pulled him aside to explain that the book had been found by Georgia Seaforth and it must be removed and taken back to the secret library.
The secret library was temperature controlled to maintain the ancient books inside. Father Grant hesitated, the forbidden book in his hands. The temptation was almost too great to control. He silently prayed for the strength to put the book away instead of studying the contents for himself.
Something deep within tempted him to open the book and look at it. What could it hurt? he thought. It’s just a book. Books can’t hurt anything.
He’d almost given in when Father Burnside’s warning entered his thoughts.
“This book must be kept from Georgia at all costs, and also from the beast I saw her with in the boardroom today.”
“Beast,” Father Grant had scoffed.
“Beast,” Father Burnside had insisted. “I saw him today with my own eyes. You must take the book and put it in the hidden library before it is too late. He must not get his hands on it.”
Father Grant shuddered now and shoved the book onto the shelf, then stepped back. As soon as he was no longer in possession of it, he felt much better.
Perhaps Father Burnside was right.
Or, perhaps he wants the book for himself, a little voice in Father Grant’s mind whispered.
I hope you liked today’s installment of Meet the Students! The mystery grows!
Thank you so much for liking, lurking, reading, and commenting! I appreciate it!
Don’t forget to come back Saturday at 10am (EST) for the next chapter of Noble Doubt!
And the plot thickens. Yep, Father Burnside definitely creeps me out. There’s something about him that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
I think this book holds a vital piece (or more) of information. These ancient books hold a magic all their own, and that magic isn’t always the friendly type. I think whoever handles it needs to examine their heart and have a care about this sort of thing turning them evil or “dark.”
I think it’s more like meet the faculty than the students now, lol. So did father Burnside actually see Laris as a beast or he just thought him to be dangerous? That’s interesting. I wonder if Laris could be a static character or choose what he wants to be seen as. With everyone seeing him as they wish, this trick might not be that helpful, lol.
It is kind of like Meet the Faculty instead. lol That’s a good question about Father Burnside and what he really saw. I see what you mean about whether that trick is useful or not and why. Laris might just have some sway there.
Oh wow! I don’t even know what to think! I kind of wanted him to open the book, though. 😈
Thank you, Nya. I wanted him, to as well! 😀 😈
👀 The jury is still out on who’s the bad guy here. I don’t approve of any form of prohibition and censorship when it comes to literature, but the truth is we don’t know how dangerous these ancient books really are. I can imagine books being a magic trap or pages could be simply poisoned, although in this case I’m suspecting only the danger of poisoning a person’s mind. Not that Gigi understood the symbols in it anyway.
Thank you, Maladi. I totally get why the jury would still be out on who is the bad guy in this situation. Poisoning of the mind is an interesting concept and you may be on the right track with that. These ancient books are important or Laris wouldn’t want her to have it so bad, nor the priests want to keep it from her. We’ll be seeing soon where this is heading.
The mystery grows! Something about Father Burnside seems fishy, lol
Thank you so much, Jacquie! Can’t nobody be trusted here. LOLOL 😂
Oh my. Well I think Father Burnside, like Iron Tits (I never thought I’d write those two words together 😂😂😂) saw what they wanted to see. FB is afraid and Iron Tits is lonely…. At least that’s my theory. Anyway the book clearly has some power and now I worry about Tilly. But it’s hard to know who is right and who is wrong. I also find it curious that a priest and a nun were sent to the school right before Gigi and Sophie arrived.
Thank you, Audrey. That is curious, isn’t it? You are so right that it’s hard to see who is right and who is wrong. I like your theory, by the way. 🙂 Hopefully, Tilly will be okay.
PS. That made me laugh when you said you never thought you’d write those two words together. haha 😂😂
Like ViolinCat, I was thinking father Burnside wanted to see Laris like that – guess that’s an unexpected side effect of his little trick. 🤭
Well, now i just really want to know what’s in that book. The mystery is really getting intriguing!
Thank you, Louise! I can’t wait until all is revealed! I can totally see why you might think this about Laris’s trick. You might be on to something, you and Violincat. 😀
that almost puts a whole new spin on things doesn’t it? More intrigue, more doubts, more worries for Gigi! Loved this chapter!
Thank you so much, Bee. 🙂 I’m so glad you loved this. It certainly makes one wonder.
How curious! What is in that book?
Thank you, Jacqui. What is in that book indeed! 😀
Fascinating! Although, personal wants aside, if what Laris said is true, Burnside might just be seeing him as a Beast because that’s how he wants to see him.
Thank you, Violincat! You could very well be right about Burnside and how he sees Laris. 😀 It’s difficult to tell who is on the right side of things.
Oh my gosh! You are so right! So many sides and intrigues to this whole thing, and I can’t wait to see where it all lands!
Thank you, Bee! Where will this twisty road end? 😀 😀
Uh oh. Things seem to be getting juicy and very strange. I love it!
Thank you, Hillyl I’m glad you love it! 😀 Strange is right! lol