The Price of Refuge
A few days passed in uneasy silences and lingering tension.
When Daniel invited me to lunch, I hesitated—but agreed.
Sneaking out was surprisingly easy, and soon I sat across from him at a small café, daylight a stark contrast to the shadows I had grown used to.
Daniel Reed
*leaning forward, voice quiet but firm* Elise… you’re under the First Vampire’s protection? Why? What kind of relationship do you have with him?
Elise Carter
*freezing, a chill running down her spine* I—I don’t know. I’ve never met him. I don’t even know what he wants.
Daniel Reed
*eyes darkening* But he’s keeping you safe. The most powerful being out there, protecting you for some unknown reason? *exhaling sharply*
Daniel Reed
Does that not terrify you?
Elise Carter
*swallowing hard* Adrian and the others—
Daniel Reed
*cutting in, jaw tightening* Adrian.
Daniel Reed
What is he to you?
Elise Carter
*looking away*
Daniel Reed
*stepping closer, voice soft but firm* Does he force you to do things?
Elise Carter
*breath hitching* It’s not—
Daniel Reed
*gently, but insistent* Elise, if he’s hurting you, tell me. I don’t care what’s happened, what you’ve done—I will never judge you.
Daniel Reed
*voice almost pleading* I just want you to be safe.
The raw sincerity in his voice made my chest tighten. My throat closed up, words catching before they could form.
Before I could react, he pulled me into a firm embrace.
Elise Carter
*heart pounding* (Daniel…)
Daniel Reed
*murmuring against her hair* I love you. I don’t care about anything else. I just want to take you away from all of this.
My fingers trembled. For a moment, I let myself sink into the warmth, into the familiarity.
Daniel Reed
*pulling back just enough, cupping her face thumb brushing against her cheek, voice barely above a whisper* Come with me.
Elise Carter
*breath catching* (I… I can’t—)
Before I could say anything, he leaned in. The kiss was soft at first, hesitant—like he was afraid I would pull away. But when I didn’t, his grip tightened, deepening it.
He poured everything into it—his emotions, his desperation, his love.
Elise Carter
*fingers gripping his jacket, head spinning*
Daniel Reed
*voice low, urgent* Elise. The cathedral can protect you. You don’t have to stay with them. You don’t have to be part of their world.
Elise Carter
*staring, fingers trembling* Daniel, I...
I didn’t know what to say.
Because despite the safety of his arms, despite the sincerity in his voice—one truth remained.
I’m not sure if I can ever truly leave…
Reluctantly, I agreed, though unease coiled in my stomach.
The cathedral loomed ahead, its walls steeped in quiet expectation.
Father Grace greeted us, his kind smile not quite reaching his eyes.
Daniel Reed
*urgent* Father, Elise was bitten by an ancient one. She's being kept in a mansion by vampires under the First. She’s in danger.
Elise Carter
*frowning* It’s not as bad as he makes it sound. *forces a small, dismissive smile*
But Father Grace’s gaze lingered on me, studying, assessing.
Daniel Reed
*frustrated* Not as bad?
Father Nathaniel Grace
*lifting a hand, silencing them* Elise… do you know why the First keeps you close?
Father Nathaniel Grace
*calm, unwavering* Perhaps you don’t know everything. But you suspect it. I know who you are, Elise. And I know why you’re here.
Father Nathaniel Grace
*solemnly* You are the holy maiden.
Elise Carter
*chilled, clenching hands* That’s ridiculous.
Father Nathaniel Grace
*steps closer, voice gentle yet firm* The First keeps you close because he knows what you are. You alone have the power to destroy him—and all vampires. He will never let you go, Elise. You are not safe there.
Elise Carter
*hesitant* And I’d be safe here?
Father Nathaniel Grace
The church is consecrated ground. The lesser ones cannot even enter. And we have fought noble vampires before. Even the ancient ones are not beyond our reach.
Father Nathaniel Grace
With you, we can keep the First out as well.
My heart pounded. Some of what he said felt true, but doubt gnawed at the edges.
Elise Carter
*cautious* And what does the church want from me?
Father Nathaniel Grace
*smiles* Right now, we want to protect you.
Daniel Reed
*pleading* Stay here. It’s the best option. You’ll be safer with us.
Their words pressed in on me from both sides.
My thoughts turned to the mansion—to the others, to the First. What would they do when they realized I left, and I wasn’t coming back?
The idea of never returning sent a strange ache through me.
But if what Father Grace said was true, staying there was a death sentence.
Elise Carter
*exhales slowly* Alright. I'll stay.
Father Nathaniel Grace
*pleased* Then let me show you where you’ll be staying.
He led me through the cathedral, down beneath its stone foundations. The air grew cooler as we descended, the dim corridors flickering with torchlight. Beneath the cathedral lay a hidden network—crypts turned into fortified chambers. Military strongholds disguised as sacred ground.
Father Nathaniel Grace
*stopping at a small set of quarters* You will stay here, Elise. If you have any questions, or need to go anywhere, Daniel will assist you.
With that, Father Grace left, the heavy door closing behind him. The silence that followed was thick, suffocating.
Daniel Reed
*softly, showing me around* This is where everything is…
But unease slithered through me.
Elise Carter
(Had I just traded one prison for another?)
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