the unholy beasts are fast; why was this one unique?”
“He moves like a ghost. I would have never caught him on foot,” Snod replied honestly. “He simply
disappears and reappears like magic. I’ve never seen anything move the way he does.”
“This is very important, my son,” Sanguis said. “Did you receive the photograph I sent to you? The
painting? Was the vampire you met in that painting?”
Snod frowned.
The archbishop’s line of questioning seemed erratic, and Snod was now suspicious. The archbishop
was much more interested in talking about the vampire than all the terrible things Snod had done. He
didn’t dare question such a high-ranking member of the Order, but something felt off.
“Yes,” Snod replied after a brief pause. “It is definitely him. The brunette.”
“What about the blond man?”
“No, Father. Never seen him before.”
“Where are you now?” Sanguis demanded.
“I’m at the vampire’s home,” Snod replied, rubbing his hand over his face. “After the accident, the
vampire saved me and brought me here.”
“Are you safe?”
“Yes, he isn’t here now, but he will certainly return.”
“I must speak to the other councilmembers immediately,” Sanguis said excitedly. He cleared his
throat, adding firmly, “Stay where you are, we will make contact again shortly.”
“Yes, Father,” Snod said, sighing when the line disconnected. He hung his head, wishing he
understood what the archbishop was up to. He was restless, moving into the kitchen and poking
around the cabinets.
There was food, but not very much. Chips, pretzels, mostly snacks. The fridge was nearly empty
except for a standard selection of condiments, and the only item in the freezer was a bottle of vodka.
Snod was starting to look at the first shelf of books when his phone rang again. It was Archbishop
Sanguis.
“Yes, Father?”
“I need you to kneel, my child,” Sanguis said sagely, sounding like himself again, firm and wise.
“We’re going to pray together now.”
Snod knelt right where he was standing, putting the phone on speaker and clasping his hands together.
