Richard’s POV

The rain had been coming down for hours. It rattled the church windows like a thousand small fists, seeping through the cracks in the old stone. I was standing by the altar, snuffing out the last of the candles, when the wind forced one of the side doors open. It slammed hard against the wall, a hollow, echoing sound that made my heart jump.

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. Nights like this always made me restless. The church was supposed to feel like shelter, but when the rain howled and the candles trembled, even holy walls could feel haunted.

I walked to the door and...