Wolfsangel by Liza Perrat Read Free Book Online

hut in the woods,’ I said, and told her about the Wolfs, and how we’d taken them to L’Auberge attic. ‘They’re lovely people, but as much as I like having them at the farm, they can’t stay up there for long. It’s cramped and uncomfortable, and Maman won’t let them come downstairs, except at night, to help with housework. I keep telling her –– keep reassuring myself –– they’re safe up there, but I’m afraid for them. You know how rumours buzz around the village. And of course our mother is not happy about having them in her home.’
    ‘I’m not surprised she’s against concealing people, Céleste. I think she got her hand bitten many years ago, though I never knew the details.’
    ‘Ah yes, Maman’s dark secret.’
    As a girl, I would ask my older sister why our mother was so hard and unforgiving; why I knew nothing of her thoughts and why I could never look lovingly into her cold, green eyes. Félicité said it was because a terrible thing had happened to her, but when I asked whatever that unbearable secret could be, my sister either didn’t know or wouldn’t tell me. Eventually I stopped asking.
    ‘I know she’d never turn the family over to the authorities,’ I said. ‘And risk the police coming up to the farm. But living with her thunderous looks every day, it’s so … so tiring.’
    My sister fidgeted with the rosary beads dangling from her belt, her usually mellow gaze curdling, as always when Maman’s business was mentioned.
    ‘I thought they could come here to the convent? I know you have other people. Others like the Wolfs.’
    Félicité sat in the chair opposite me and clasped her large silver cross.
    ‘We only have a few young girls. With false identities, we can pass them off under any name, and in the uniform, the students all look much the same. But an entire family?’
    ‘Couldn’t you get false papers for the Wolfs?’
    My sister was silent for a moment, fiddling with the cross. ‘I’ll talk to Mother Superior, but it could take some time to organise. I pray these people can stay safe in the meantime.’
    ‘Thank you, and I’m doing my best to keep them safe for now.’ I took a deep breath. ‘There’s something else I wanted to mention. I met a German from the barracks, an officer I think. He seems to like –– to admire –– me.’ I faltered, aware of the nervous scratch in my voice. ‘He gave me a present. Nylons.’
    Félicité’s eyes widened. ‘A gift from a German? You know how danger –– ’
    ‘Of course I do. And I’m not even sure he does like me. I mean, why would any man? Approving looks were always reserved for you. Men never …’
    ‘Go on, Céleste.’
    ‘I have a niggling suspicion he knows something about Patrick and Olivier’s group. I can’t help wondering if he’s trying to get close to me, to find out information.’
    ‘He might well be doing that, Céleste, it’s not unheard of.’
    ‘I know. So I’ve decided to steer clear of him from now on.’
    ‘Maybe you shouldn’t,’ Félicité said. ‘Keep away from him, I mean. This officer might be toying with you; using you to glean information, but he’s not the only one who can play such games.’
    ‘Games?’
    Félicité took my fisted hands in hers. ‘Perhaps you shouldn’t shun this man. Let him get close, up to a point, of course. And see just how much he knows, if anything.’
    I stared at my sister, certain I’d misunderstood what she was suggesting. ‘You want me to take up with a Boche ? Never! Besides, you know what happens to girls ––’
    ‘Yes, I know.’ My sister’s dark eyes moved up the wall behind me, and fixed on the thin crucifix. ‘I also know you’re smart enough not to get caught. Besides, you’ve been hankering after joining Patrick and Olivier’s group from the start. Just think of this as your personal mission. An important, undercover job.’
    ‘Maman will have a fit. You know how much she despises the Germ ––’
    ‘But