The Witches Image

Chapter 1

"A warm welcome, sister!". An older woman in her 60s approached me with her arms wide open. I tried to smile, even though I didn't feel like it.

I hadn't actually intended to change convent. However, Abbess Blake had left me no choice. I had been summoned to her office three days ago to tell me that I was in higher vocations and needed more intensive guidance to find my right path. And for that it would be necessary to transfer me. Sister Imperator would be the perfect person for that.

When I asked if it was really necessary and if I could just sign up for more courses, all I got was a blunt "Don't question Lucifer's decisions, my child!". I had barely had time to say goodbye before my bags were packed, the flight booked and I was here. A new member of the unholy church Emeritus. I didn't care what privilege I was given. I would have liked to stay there with my friends, my teachers. But this decision was not given to me.

Nervously, I clenched my fingers in my pocket. Sister Imperator was a slim, good-looking woman. Her blonde hair, streaked with gray, was pinned up in a loose bun. In her black blazer, suit trousers and red pumps, she looked a little intimidating.

"It's great that you're finally here!" she beamed when she reached me. Her voice echoed in the empty crypt.

"Thank you for letting me be here, sister," I replied. Not convinced of my gratitude. Her eyes briefly scrutinized me from top to bottom with a disparaging look. I immediately became afraid that she had noticed. No matter how hard I tried, you could see everything in my face, like an open book. Her gaze lingered on my Doc Martens, which were long past their prime. I was immediately annoyed that I hadn't worn something more formal. First impressions counted here. Even though I didn't want to be here, I had to accept the idea now. The formal smile that didn't reach her eyes didn't leave her lips as she pierced me with her gaze.

"Abbess Blake didn't promise too much when she recommended you to me," her voice broke the uncomfortable silence. "But let us go to my office, Sister! Surely you don't mind a cup of tea?...Leave your luggage here, one of the ghouls will take care of it!".

She turned on her heel and stomped off down the corridor. As I hurried to keep up with her, I couldn't get her remark out of my head. ...'Abbess Blake didn't promise too much'...What had she said to her?

She steered purposefully towards a tall double door that led from the entrance hall into a darker and narrower corridor. Fine wood paneling adorned the walls. The floor was covered with dark red carpet. The light refracted through the high stained glass windows, giving the corridor an almost magical feel.

. High wooden doors lined the corridor, golden signs were attached to each one. As I walked past, I caught a glimpse of the names. "Nihil", "Secondo", "Primo", ,"Terzo", and "Copia" .

"Here we are!" She let me enter first and I was amazed. Her office was huge, a wide fireplace, dark shelves, armchairs upholstered in heavy red velvet, high windows with heavy white curtains draped around them. Paintings of every emeritus on the wall. If it looked so grand here, what did Papa's office look like?

"Have a seat!" She closed the door and went to her desk, which was in the middle of the room. I took a seat opposite her.

"Please bring me tea for two," she said into her phone, hung up and turned to me.

"Welcome again, sister! I hope your journey was pleasant?" She folded her hands on the table with a smile.

"Yes... thank you!" I replied. "Even if everything had to happen pretty quickly!". Sister Imperator nodded sympathetically and furrowed her brow.

"Sometimes there's no other way...you have to act before the child has fallen into the well...Abbess Blake seemed very worried when she contacted me. Concerned for her...and her faith in our unholy church!" She leaned in my direction, sighing. "She told me that she feared that they might leave their path to Lucifer!".