The Shadow by Reynard Sylvain

Author:Reynard, Sylvain [Reynard, Sylvain]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2016-02-01T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-seven

“What?” Raven croaked, her mouth and throat suddenly dry.

“I take it you’ve heard of us.”

She nodded, trying to process his revelation.

“I was recruited to join the Curia shortly after I became a Jesuit. I’ve been serving them ever since. They just transferred me to Rome.”

“You’re one of them?”

The priest frowned. “I see he’s been filling your head with nonsense.”

“You kill them.”

“We free them.”

“A polite euphemism for murder,” she scoffed.

“We exorcise the demon, allowing the human being to be free of its control.”

“So you say.” Raven wrapped her hands around her middle, fighting the creeping ascent of nausea. “I heard about what happened in the Middle Ages. How you laid waste to them.”

“Revisionist history. Did the vampyre describe what Europe was like before the Curia was formed?”

Raven pressed her lips together. “Not really.”

He leaned forward in his chair. “Then let me enlighten you. They were like animals, feeding on everyone—women and children, the aged, the sick. And in every case, every single case, they violated the victim sexually. When they feed, they rape. Their victim is never the same.”

Raven shut her eyes and turned her face away. “I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true. They use mind control or force to overpower their victims, then they take what they want, leaving a damaged person behind. They’re horrible, evil beings.”

Raven coughed, fighting the urge to retch. “William doesn’t allow them to feed on children. And he would never do what you described.”

“Raven.” The priest’s eyes filled with pity. “Have you ever seen him feed?”

“He feeds from bottles.”

Father regarded her with what could only be sorrow. “And from you. Tell me, was sexual activity part of the feeding?”

Raven’s skin flamed. She said nothing.

The priest took her hand. “If you’ve fornicated with him, the darkness has been transmitted to you. You may not be possessed at this moment, but you’re under its influence. It clouds your reason.”

“Nonsense.” Raven tossed his hand aside and stood. “You believe a bunch of fairy tales.”

“Careful.” His tone grew sharp. “I’ve devoted my life to those fairy tales. I would die for them. And they’re the only things that can save you.”

“I don’t want to be saved.” She huddled against the kitchen counter, her body shaking.

The priest’s gaze moved to the trio of objects that sat on the table. He touched the disk briefly. “This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to help you.” He spoke gently, without looking at her. “In all the years we’ve known one another, have I ever deceived you?”

“No.”

His eyes met hers. “Have I ever lied?”

She shook her head.

“I swear before God, I am not deceiving you. I’m trying to save you!” His hands began to shake. He stuffed them in his pockets. “The Curia was formed by the Church to keep the vampyre population in check. We protect humanity and keep the vampyres from taking over.”

“If they’re so bad, why don’t you eliminate them?”

“Not even God can eliminate the evil perpetrated by free will.”

Raven rolled her eyes.

“It’s true,” he continued. “We can limit their evil, but we cannot eliminate them.

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