deep down in his soul.
The Order came first above all else.
Snod took a deep breath and dialed the archbishop back, his pulse skyrocketing higher with every
ring.
“Snod?” Archbishop Sanguis’ voice came onto the line, totally in awe. “Is that really you?”
“Forgive me, Father,” Snod said, dropping off the couch and to his knees immediately. “I have sinned
so greatly—”
“We thought the beast had slain you!” Sanguis exclaimed. “We also heard a report of an accident, one
that matched your vehicle’s description. We’ve been so concerned, my sweet child.”
“It was,” Snod confirmed. “My mission has been... complicated.”
“Tell me. Is the beast still alive, my son?”
“Yes, I’ve failed you,” Snod said sorrowfully. “He was too fast, I wasn’t able—”
“Tell me what happened,” Sanguis said, sounding gentle and kind. He didn’t seem upset in the
slightest.
“The beast and I became trapped underground. There was large debris blocking our way, too much
for us to move. We couldn’t escape... we were down there so long, and I was getting weaker. I
inquired about using... the vampire’s blood.”
There was a small grunt on the other line.
Snod began to sweat, continuing, “Heart blood, specifically. I was desperate. He agreed to give it to
me, describing a ritual to procure it without turning me or endangering himself.”
“What such ritual would that be?”
“Copulation,” Snod responded shamefully. “We laid together. I let him drink from me, and I from him.
With our combined strength, we were able to escape.”
“Heart blood from laying together? Truly?” Sanguine sounded intrigued.
Snod was struggling with the odd reaction. He had been expecting threats of eternal damnation and
being ordered to lash himself. He hesitated, saying slowly, “Yes, Father. I felt the beast’s heart beat
myself.” He gulped anxiously. “You’re not angry...?”
“Tell me more, my son,” Sanguis pressed. “At what point were you able to take the heart blood?”
“At... climax,” Snod said awkwardly.
Sanguis was quiet for a long moment, his voice stern as he said, “You said this vampire was fast. All
