Inside the study, we stood around a map, the men sizing up each other. Edith had taken a detour to the kitchens and appeared with a platter of tea and honey buns. My stomach rumbled at the sight, and it was a relief to cradle a warm cup of tea and have something else to focus on other than the awkwardness of the room.
It was High Priestess Merci who spoke first, “I think it’s time we cleared the air between us and came forward with the truth. Lucia, you are familiar with this. . .” She stumbled over the next word. “Man. Captain Elroy, you don’t seem surprised, and Edith, the fact that you were up all night in the garrison is concerning. Someone, please explain.”
Captain Elroy picked up a letter and passed it to Titus. “It started with the letters. Did you write them?”
Titus frowned over the words, even though he’d guessed the contents. Instead of answering the question, he placed the letter on the map and crossed his arms. “Did it ever occur to you that perhaps you shouldn’t answer the demands of a letter from anunknown source? Did you ever see this VK who demanded those goods and supplies?”
A spark of irritation crossed Captain Elroy’s face. “The goods were delivered. We never saw to whom. We left a wagon full as he requested.”
“It is in our nature to give,” the High Priestess interrupted. “If we have goods that those in need can use, why not be generous and share?”
Titus shook his head in disbelief. “Because once you give, more will be expected of you. The letters didn’t stop, did they? They only demanded more. They demanded her.”
All eyes turned to me, but I held the High Priestess’s gaze. “You taught me there is no greater sacrifice than giving up one’s self to save others. That’s why I volunteered to set the trap, to end the reign of darkness. But Titus isn’t the vampire king. He’s not even a vampire, as you saw this morning when he stood in the light. He was a cursed knight, searching for redemption.”
Captain Elroy steered us away from the dangerous topic. “If you didn’t write these, who did?”
“Is this naught but another interrogation?” Titus said. “Isn’t your goal to end the rule of vampires and set free this village to enjoy the delights of boththe day and night? If that is your goal, I will take you to the bowels of the mountains where the vampires hide. But we should go now, while they are asleep and set a trap, as you are so fond of doing.”
“It is, indeed, our goal, but how do we know we can trust you?”
Titus glanced at me. “Because Lucia stands before you, free and unharmed. You recall the first night you set a trap for me, how you and your knights fell asleep under the power of my music. Lucia and I tested it; with her magic and my magic combined, we can keep the vampires at bay.”
“He’s been teaching me how to use my runes,” I interrupted, desperate. “I understand them now, the power of magic I didn’t know I had. This can work. If we fill the caverns with music and light, the vampires will not be able to withstand it. They will flee while the knights cut them down.”
Captain Elroy frowned and picked up the letter. “I do not deny the sense of the plan, but I am concerned about the person who wrote this. If I were to guess, there is more than one of you.”
Titus’s face gave away nothing, but his eyes turned steely. “If there is another, he is my problem, not yours.”
Captain Elroy took a step forward, his jaw tight. “How will you ensure he will not manipulate us?”
“Because he wants the same thing we want. Freedom.”
“Did he kill Faith?” The High Priestess asked, her voice high and thick with worry.
Titus raked his fingers through his hair, and I recalled his words from days ago.He’s not a killer like me.If Titus’s brother didn’t do this, it had to be one of the vampires. They were known for their mindless attacks, but usually not so close to the abbey. Something must have compelled Faith to go outside. Did she, too, carry dark secrets like Edith and I?
“Does it matter who the killer is? Clearly, the vampires are responsible for brutal deaths in the night. If we are to destroy them, it is best we go now and reach their hiding place while they are still sleeping. Or would you prefer to interrogate me further?”
Captain Elroy looked as though he wished to separate Titus’s head from his body. Instead, he crossed his arms. “I will rouse my men.”
We waited in the garden while Captain Elroy gathered his knights. Titus wandered among the plants, touching each one and picking pieces of fruit to eat before ever so often lifting hisface to the sunlight. He acted like a man reborn, and my heart squeezed every time I looked at him.
The High Priestess had been called away to assist the sisters, but Edith sank onto a bench in the shade, her head in her hands. I sat down beside her and tugged her sleeve. “How did it go with Captain Elroy?”
“Oh, Elroy.” She snorted but lifted her head and faced me. “We talked a lot last night, and. . .I can’t go on like this. You were right, Lucia, to feel conflicted. I broke my vows and chose love, and while it did make me a better person, I also sank to a different level. I believed sneaking around and hiding the truth was good for everyone, but it just made Elroy and me keep secrets from each other. Secrets that didn’t need to be kept. I don’t want to hide anymore. I want to walk in the light even if it means I can’t be a priestess anymore. I will live in the village and just be a healer. It will allow me to serve the people without breaking my vows.”
“And what of Elroy?” I asked, my eyes drawn to Titus because I was thinking the same thing. What would happen when we vanquished the vampires and no longer needed each other?
“My heart will always belong to him, but we both agreed that we need to start over and do things right.No more hiding. No more secrets. Today is the start.”
I clasped her hand in my lap, my certainty somewhat shaken in the light of her admission. Originally, she’d sounded so confident in her love, in her choice to keep it a secret, and now she wanted to walk in the light and give up her calling. I did not know if I was brave enough to do the same.
“You’re going with him, aren’t you?”
Edith’s question broke me out of my thoughts.
I nodded. “Yes, I’ve finally discovered what the markings on my skin are. Magic. Light.”
