Emerald Blood

Chapter 2 - Embrace

Content WARNING: Angst, Religious activity & Vampirism

~SONIC POV~

~At St. Seraphim Cathedral~

Reverend Silver opened the door to his office and gestured with his hand to allow me to enter first. As I entered, I saw that his office was as humble as he was. The office was the perfect size, not too crammed, not too spacious. It had no excess décor other than the small wooden crucifix that hung up high on the back wall where his work desk was placed against. Only one window on the left side of the room allowed the warm afternoon light to filter through the translucent curtains, into the room, giving a honey-hued tinge to the atmosphere. On the right side of the room a tall, narrow bookshelf was present, full of leather bound religious books.

My attention was then drawn to the centre of the room where a small circular table covered with a linen tablecloth stood, surrounded by two chairs. Upon it, candles flickered softly alongside a embellished porcelain teapot and teacup, accompanied by a plate full of bread and fruits.

"Please take a seat" the Reverend insisted as he pulled out one of the chairs for me to sit.

As I got seated, he stated while pouring tea into the empty teacup, "Sonic, as you saw in the letter, I have brought you here to discuss some... matters" his eyes focused on pouring the tea. I heard a shift in his tone to a more neutral and reserved one.

"You see, there have been a few disheartening cases involving those of higher nobility..." Silver paused and placed the teapot gently back onto the table with both hands, looking into my eyes.

I smirked and replied sarcastically, "And you believe I may be the next victim?" taking a sip of the tea that he just poured.

"Yes" the Reverend replied with utmost solemnity, which made me choke on my tea.

As I regained myself, I looked up at the pale hedgehog hoping to find a glimpse of humour in his eyes but I found nothing but a grave hollow expression. He leaned over the table slightly and locked his gaze with mine.

His golden irises glowing like the morning sun, as it reflected the warm rays of sunset. "I want you to know that I care for your wellbeing. That is why I brought you here in person to talk about the incidents."

I remained speechless, every muscle in my body tightening.

He sighed, clasping his hands together and continued, "There have been rumours that these incidents were caused by, what some may call, an otherworldly force."

I wanted to scoff but something about Reverend Silver's tone made my quills stand on end.

He narrowed his eyes and leaned even closer, the golden cross on his necklace almost touching the food on the plate in front of him, as he whispered, "All of the cases had something peculiar in common. Two puncture wounds in each of the victim's necks." Reverend Silver searched my eyes for a response or reaction but I remained staring at the tea in my teacup, aware of what he was connoting towards.

After the brief silence, his demeanour softened, granting me the comfort to reunite with his gaze without feeling tense. He reached out and held my hand tenderly.

"But I will ask the Lord to be merciful to you" the Reverend's smile released me from the tension.

"May I pray for you, Mr. Sonic?"

I accepted as the nuns would often pray over me as I grew up. Reverend Silver stood and walked over to me then kneeled and placed his hand on my shoulder in preparation of prayer, but paused as if a thought had appeared in his mind.