Shadows of the Faith
The moment Adrian and I stepped through the grand entrance of the mansion the air in the room shifted.
All painted on the faces waiting inside.
Marianne and Harper rushed toward me, their eyes filled with worry as they took in my disheveled state and the dried blood on my clothes.
Harper
Elise! Are you hurt?!
Marianne Corwin
*frantically scanning her* There’s blood on your clothes—
Elise Carter
*shaking head*
Adrian Verlais
*firmly* It’s not hers.
Harper
*exhales deeply, placing a hand over her chest*
Harper
We were so worried…
Marianne Corwin
*relieved but still concerned* Where have you been? What happened?
Theo Laurent
*steps forward, eyes filled with shock*
Theo Laurent
*to Adrian* How did you find her?
Adrian Verlais
*voice dark* She was running from priests. Even I don’t know the full story yet.
The room fell silent for a moment, then filled with murmurs of disbelief.
Harper
*whispers* The church? They hurt her? Why would they—?
Celeste Valmere
*arms crossed, eyes sharp, steps forward*
Celeste Valmere
Elise. What happened? How did you get into this situation?
Elise Carter
*frozen, hands trembling slightly*
Adrian placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, but I still struggled to speak.
Celeste’s gaze sharpened. Her eyes drifted to the jacket I was wearing. She stepped closer and pulled it slightly off, revealing the torn fabric beneath. Her expression darkened instantly.
Marianne and Harper gasped. Theo’s eyes widened.
Celeste Valmere
*low, restrained anger* Elise. Why did you sneak out? Why did you leave? Where did you go? Why were you being chased by priests? And who did this to you?
Elise Carter
*breath hitching, gripping Adrian’s sleeve*
Celeste Valmere
*voice rising* We were looking for you non-stop for days! We were worried sick! And the boss—he was ready to level the entire city just to find you!
Elise Carter
*tears welling, voice breaking* I… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…
Adrian Verlais
*pulls her into his arms, rubbing her back as she trembles*
Celeste Valmere
*expression firm, but concern flickers* If you’re sorry, then talk. Tell us what happened.
Elise Carter
*shuddering breath* Daniel… he asked me out for lunch… He convinced me to speak with Father Grace.
Theo Laurent
*scoffs, face darkening*
Theo Laurent
That bastard.
Elise Carter
*flinches but continues* Father Grace… he knew I came from a different world. He told me I was their Holy Maiden… that The First wanted to kill me because of it. He said they would keep me safe…
Celeste Valmere
*sharp, furious* What?!
A heavy silence fell over the room as the words sank in.
Elise Carter
*voice cracking* They locked me under the cathedral. Father Grace separated me from Daniel. Then… then he… he tried to—
Adrian’s hold on me tightened, his body rigid with fury.
Marianne Corwin
*whispers, shaking with rage* That monster… And he had the audacity to claim we were the ones who wanted to harm you?
Celeste Valmere
* softer* now Go on.
Elise Carter
*swallowing back a sob* I hit him with a lamp. I ran. And then… Adrian saved me.
The air in the room was thick with anger and horror.
Harper
*whispers, shaken* You were supposed to stay away from the cathedral…
Marianne Corwin
*face pale* The Holy Maiden…
Theo Laurent
*hands shaking* This is… this is bad.
Celeste Valmere
*hatred flickering in her eyes* Daniel… he’s the one who brought you into this mess. And Father Grace— *jaw tightens in fury*
Adrian was deathly silent, his eyes shadowed with a rage so deep it felt almost suffocating.
The group exchanged uneasy glances. They all knew this situation was far from over.
Marianne Corwin
*inhales sharply* We have to inform the boss. We need his instructions.
I clung to Adrian, burying my face against his chest as fresh tears streamed down my face.
Elise Carter
*choking out* I’m sorry.
Adrian Verlais
*holding her tighter, voice low* You’re safe now.
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