It had not been easy. His brother still struggled with the strict environment and had actively rebelled
when he first arrived. There had been several failed escape attempts and many harsh lessons though
Snod had always tried to protect him.
“Why don’t we go kidnap him?” the vampire suggested, slamming his glass down excitedly. “If we
get him out of there, then you won’t feel so guilty about leaving him behind!”
“We can’t just go take him!” Snod argued, laughing at the ridiculous plan. “The Order’s main
compound is a fortress. There’s dozens of guards and multiple layers of security—”
“That you know very well, I’m sure!” the vampire cut in, squeezing Snod’s hand. “I bet you could
figure out a way to break in there and rescue Athelsbyah!”
“Athaliah, not Athelsbyah!”
“Whatever!”
Snod kept laughing, finding the asinine idea totally hilarious. He shook his head, chuckling heartily, “I
appreciate the offer, but I think I’ll pass.”
“Well,” the vampire huffed, “if you change your mind, let me know. Super fast day walking vampire is
at your service for all potentially dangerous rescue operations.”
“Why are you like this?” Snod wondered out loud, the liquor making his tongue loose. “Why are you
so... nice for a vampire?”
“Have you really taken the time to get to know any of the others before me?”
“No,” Snod confessed.
“Well, then you don’t really have anything to compare me to,” the vampire laughed.
“Seriously,” Snod pushed, utterly entranced. “After everything I did, you just, what? Forget all about
it?”
“People, vampire or human, are all a mix of good and bad,” the vampire explained, adjusting his
glasses. “I try to be one of the good ones and remember what it was like to be human. You’ve been
raised in a horrible place, and I know the way you are isn’t your fault. I think I can help you be better.
I want to try, really. I can show you everything you’ve been missing living in that cult. Look, I haven’t
forgotten anything you’ve said or what you tried to do, but I do forgive you.”
Snod’s heart stopped right on the spot, staring in awe at the vampire. He had no words, lost in his
bright green eyes and the gentle warmth washing over him. He wanted to kiss him, touch him, bask
forever in this soft light he exuded from every pore. Dozens of clergy had forgiven Snod countless
