Behind The Door A Priest’s Sin

I was walking with Father Grace in the dimly lit corridors.

The scent of blood filled the air, thick and metallic, mixing with the scent of incense that failed to mask it.

The cathedral doors groaned open, revealing the priests returning from battle. Some walked steadily, their robes stained with dark crimson. Others leaned on their brothers, barely able to stand. A few had to be carried.

Elise Carter

*staring, horrified* What… what happened to them?

Father Nathaniel Grace

*solemnly, watching the wounded being tended to* The vampires did this.

Father Nathaniel Grace

*glancing at her* They are relentless. They would tear apart this entire city if we let them. That is why we fight.

I knew vampires were dangerous. I had seen it myself. But this… I had never seen the aftermath of a battle like this before.

Elise Carter

*quietly* This is… awful.

Father Nathaniel Grace

*voice heavy with meaning* This is why we need you, Elise. You are the only one who can stop this.

Elise Carter

*shaken* But… how? I’m just… I’m here, you said I was the Holy Maiden, but I don’t know what that means.

Elise Carter

What I supposed to do?

Father Nathaniel Grace

*smiling, satisfied* In time, you will. Tonight, I will tell you everything.

Later that night, I was alone in my quarters, eagerly waiting for Father Grace's explanation.

Daniel was out there. Fighting. Father Grace had asked him to go, to help the priests against the vampires. He had left with a determined look, promising he would come back.

I told myself he would. He had to.

There was a knock at the door.

I jumped, then quickly stand as Father Grace entered, his presence as calm and composed as ever.

Elise Carter

*anxious* Father Grace—please, tell me. How can I help? How do I stop this?

Father Nathaniel Grace

*stepping closer* Elise. Your blood is the key.

Elise Carter

*frowning, confused* My… blood?

Father Nathaniel Grace

*nodding, his voice low, almost reverent* Your bloodline. That is what will save us all.

Something in his tone made my stomach twist.

Elise Carter

*hesitant* I… I don’t understand.

Father Grace stepped closer, his gaze darkening, his presence suddenly too close.

Father Nathaniel Grace

*softly* Your children, Elise. The children of the Holy Maiden will bring salvation to this world.

Elise Carter

*breath caught* (My children? What was he saying? What did he mean—?)

Elise Carter

*whispering* I don’t… I don’t have children—

Father Nathaniel Grace

Not yet.

I took a step back, but Father Grace followed.

Father Nathaniel Grace

*soothing* There is no one more fitting to father the Holy Maiden’s children than a holy man, Elise.

My heart stopped. The realization crashed over me like ice water.

Elise Carter

*shaking her head, backing away* No. No, that’s—No. You can’t mean—

Father Grace suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip like iron.

I gasped, struggling, but he didn't let go.

Elise Carter

*panicked* Let me go!

Father Nathaniel Grace

*firmly* This is your duty, Elise. This is the only way.

He yanked me closer. I tried to twist away, but he was too strong. He tilted his head, his expression disturbingly calm.

Father Nathaniel Grace

*softly* Daniel doesn’t need to know. No one does.

My breath shuddered as he forced a kiss against my lips. I recoiled, trying to shove him away, but he held me firm.

His hands moved to the front of my chest, fingers curling into the fabric, pulling, tearing.

Elise Carter

*sobbing* No—please—STOP!

My hands were searching desperately, my fingers brushed against something—

The lamp.

With every ounce of strength I had, I grabbed it and swung. The heavy base collided with Father Grace’s temple with a sickening crack.

Father Nathaniel Grace

*hissing in pain, stumbling back* You little—

I didn't wait. I bolted for the door.

No one was outside. He had made sure of it. But that meant—

That meant I could run.

I could hear my pulse in my ears. I didn’t know where I was going—I just knew I had to get away. Away from him. Away from this place.

Ahead, the great doors of the cathedral loomed.

Elise Carter

(Freedom.)

I pushed myself harder, my feet barely touching the ground. I was so close—

Father Nathaniel Grace

*furious, echoing through the halls* Find her! Bring her back! I don’t care what it takes!

Elise Carter

(No. No, no, no—)

I threw myself forward, a final, desperate sprint—

Outside. Cold night air. The scent of damp stone and distant city lights.

I made it.

But there was no time to stop. I ran, blindly, aimlessly, into the dark streets of the city. My breath ragged, my face streaked with tears, my body shaking.

I didn’t know where I was going.

I just had to get away.

Behind me, the cathedral bells begun to ring, an alarm piercing the night. The hunt had begun.