Page 29 of Elegy of Twilight
“I’ll see myself out,” he said, but instead of leaving, he embraced me.
I leaned into him, arms around his waist, my face in the hollow of his neck, breathing in his intoxicating scent. His pulse thudded against me like the beat of a song. As I held on, revelation sweptthrough me. I cared about him. Not only his history but his future. What we’d done had bonded our fates together.
A sudden fear seized me as he released me, pressed another kiss to my lips, and left. Sagging against the door, I strained my eyes until his shadow all but disappeared. When I stepped across the threshold, I realized I had invited him inside, and even though he did not accept my offer, what if another vampire did?
I’d been asleep for maybe an hour or two when screams erupted across the abbey followed by a deep wail. I stumbled out of bed, hastily threw on a gown, then ran toward the sound. The wails continued, and my thoughts raced. What had happened? Was someone hurt, wounded. . .dead?
On the main floor, I fled toward the entrance of the abbey, where a crowd of my sisters sobbed around the doorway. I fought my way through, panicked disbelief attacking me as I stared at the pool of blood and the ripped-open throat.
Acid welled up in my belly, choking me as I stumbled back, tears filling my eyes. I scanned the faces and saw no blame there, only grief.
“What happened to Faith?” I begged, unable to look at her again. She lay on the doorstep half-naked, blood soaking her gown, her sightless eyes staring at the sky.
Only days ago, she’d helped me make a choice, and now she was dead, devoured by one of the vampires. No, not even devoured but ripped apart as if she’d been punished. Most bodies were found drained of blood, but she’d been mutilated as though someone was sending a message.
High Priestess Merci marched into the area. Then came her sharp intake of breath, and she pressed a hand to her heart. Her face went pale, and she leaned against the entryway as though seeking strength.
At last, she stood tall, her voice shaking as she spoke. “Find a blanket, cover her, and someone fetch Captain Elroy. Ladies, back to your rooms. The bell must be rung, and everyone must stay indoors until we have an answer for this plight.”
The wails continued as the sisters slipped away, but High Priestess Merci turned back to Faith. I dared myself to look, and there, in one of Faith’s hands, was a scroll. High Priestess Merci bent to pickit up and unfolded it with trembling hands. Her eyes went back and forth as she scanned the message. When she looked up, her gaze met mine.
Shame and embarrassment and horror buzzed within me, as though she could see my soul and knew that I’d broken my vow. I’d had an illicit tryst with a vampire and worst of all, I enjoyed it. What had it led to? This?
Edith ran up with Captain Elroy behind her, and I stepped back as a sheet was brought to cover the body. Captain Elroy barked out orders to his knights. While they flew into a frenzy of activity, I slipped away.
Blood rang in my ears, and I couldn’t help but think it was my fault. Why had I invited Titus in? He was the enemy, a cursed knight, a lord of darkness, full of blood and violence and anger. Why had I assumed from the time we spent together that he could change? He’d clearly toyed with my affections only to gain access in order to do something terrible. It had to be him, hadn’t it been?
Then again, did it matter? I had invited the vampires into the abbey and cursed us all.
I thought again of his half-brother and the warning. Sobs shook my body, and then Edith was there, embracing me, her tears mingling with mine.
Much later, High Priestess Merci had us gather in the kitchen. Huddled around a long table, we sat, holding mugs of steaming tea yet feeling bereft without Faith.
“We’ll hold a ceremony for her tomorrow,” High Priestess Merci began. “It appears that Faith went out, either at sundown or at sometime in the night, and was taken. After the vampires. . .abused her, they returned her here as a warning. They also left a note, a demand which I shall discuss with Captain Elroy. It is imperative, for your own safety, that the moment twilight comes, you stay indoors. No more walks in the garden.” Her gaze landed on me. “No more evening strolls. The knights are making an announcement in the village, and they have a plan. We will win this war, but I need you to do your part and stay vigilant.”
After her speech, we filed out of the kitchen, and I walked purposefully toward the library.
The High Priestess called my name, “Lucia.”
I turned back, my face heated. Did she know? Had she seen me in the garden with him last night? Ihadn’t considered that I’d need to be careful in the garden, but many parts of the abbey overlooked it, and someone who was up at night might have seen us.
“I’d like to request your presence in the garrison. There is something I’d like to discuss with you and Captain Elroy.”
My heart plummeted. Clasping my sweaty palms together, I nodded my head. “Of course, whatever I can do to help.”
It took all of my willpower not to run away because I was frightened of what secrets would be revealed. I was sure she’d discovered the pact between Captain Elroy and me, and no one had mentioned my two-day disappearance.
By the time we reached his office, I’d broken out in a cold sweat.
“Shut the door,” Captain Elroy said as we entered.
High Priestess Merci shut the door while Captain Elroy waved at us to take the seats in front of his desk. With a heavy sigh, he pulled out a stack of paper and then glanced at me. “Priestess Lucia, I thought it best we tell High Priestess Merci what has been going on, and the High Priestess and I thought we should tell you about the letters.”
I went cold, for by his own admission, each of us had been keeping secrets. How many untruths swarmed around the abbey?
Captain Elroy pushed the letters toward me. “First, read these.”
I picked up the first letter, took a deep breath, and read. At first, I thought I was reading for the High Priestess’s benefit because Captain Elroy knew I was aware of the demand from VK. However, I wasn’t aware there were so many. Aside from the demand for a priestess with silver runes was a list of items from the abbey: paints, paper, a barrel of wine, cheese, bread, and carving knives.
