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Sister Euphemia knelt in the cathedral praying.
Paris was on fire, and it felt like the entire
world was ending. For months, the people had
been taking their anger out on the nobles, decapitating
them in the streets. The bloodlust had reached
a fever pitch. It was not long till the mob turned
its hateful gaze on the church. The other nuns
were rounded up and imprisoned. Sister Euphemia
barely escaped. Robespierre denounced the papacy
and created a new national religion, the cult
of the supreme being. The revolution led to mass
violence and arson. The city was gripped by fear.
No one wanted to be the next neck under the falling
blade. But all these hardships were not what
Sister Euphemia was praying about. No, she was
praying for the strength to destroy the evil
that was thriving off the carnage. She hunted
vampires. Jesus, Son of the living God, have
mercy on us. Jesus, hear our prayers. Jesus,
I trust in you. Amen. Paris, 1794, May 8th, 1
o 'clock a .m. The wind still had a bite to it.
The air smelled of fire and death while the night
sky glowed an ominous red -orange hue. Telling
snowflakes and ash apart was impossible. Sister
Euphemia was clad in black with a hood drawn
over her head. the cross in her bag the only
sign of her faith. The bag was a small leather
backpack that contained all the items she needed
for the night's hunt. She was the last sister
standing between the people of Paris and the
vampire hordes. She was to protect those who
outlawed her faith. They know not what they do,
she thought. She scanned the streets. She saw
two of the beasts standing under a lamp, talking
as if the city was not burning around them. With
just a whisper of wind, Sister Euphemia catapulted
forward, landing in between the two startled
vampires. In a flash, the sister plunged a stake
through the taller one's chest. The impact was
so hard that it easily broke through the breastplate
and pierced his heart. He screamed in horror,
fangs flashing in the lamplight before his undead
body exploded into a torrent of blood and viscera.
Sister Euphemia was covered in gore, but her
outfit hid the true extent of the carnage. The
second vampire sprung forward, fangs out, looking
for revenge. There was a flurry of blows as the
two fought, but then the vampire felt the sting
of divinity when Sister Euphemia shoved a silver
cross into its throat, piercing its jugular.
The vampire, unable to wail, exploded just like
his friend. The sister was left alone, standing
in a large pool of blood and guts. Suddenly,
the sound of people approaching broke the silence.
She could not let anyone find her, especially
dripping in remains. There would be too many
questions, and if they were vampires, she'd be
in trouble. Sneaking up on a vampire was hard
enough, but without the element of surprise,
they would have the upper hand. Sister Euphemia
vanished back into the darkness as quietly as
she had appeared. Sitting in a darkened alleyway,
breathing heavily, the young nun's hands shook
with adrenaline. Two more dead vampires, that
was a good hit, she thought. At the same time,
she knew it was a drop in the bucket. She'd failed
to find their lair during the daytime. That was
impressive, sister. The church taught you well,
a silky smooth Italian -accented voice said from
above her. Quickly she whirled around, grabbed
her stake and looked up. Several feet above her
was a vampire standing horizontally to the wall's
surface. His face was covered in shadow, but
she could feel him staring out at her. If you
saw what I just did, then you are a fool for
coming near me. Maybe you wish to finally die?
Come down. I can help you move on from this world,
she demanded. Oh, you're Irish. Your French needs
work. Well, you're Italian, and your accent isn't
doing you any favors either. Who are you? Touché.
I am John. Nice to meet you. And your name is
Sister Euphemia, correct? How do you know my
name, she demanded. She had never spoken to a
vampire before. The church had taught her to
kill and escape. These creatures are in league
with the devil and will lie to get their way.
They cannot be trusted. The fact that he knew
her name sent a chill down her spine. I know
much about you and the church. Sad what they
did to your other sisters. Imprisonment is no
way to treat nuns, John said calmly. Enough.
Come down and I'll do the same to you as I did
to your friends. John let out a long laugh. Friends?
No, my love, they were not friends of mine. But
we can be friends. I know it's been lonely hiding
in the cathedral by yourself. Sister Euphemia
ignored the last part of his statement. No, you
couldn't. Also, you're being awfully familiar
calling me love. Before becoming a monster, you
must have had a mother. Didn't she ever teach
manners, she asked? My mother is a distant memory.
Now, I do remember my church days. You were married
to God and a virgin. But here's the thing. If
he hasn't consummated the marriage, is he really
a husband? She smiled, very funny. Now I'm going
to kill you. You can't, he replied. That is,
unless you plan to fly up here. A flying nun
would be great entertainment indeed. I should
also warn you that I'm not as young as those
two idiots you just killed. You're right, I can't
fly, but I can get to you, I think. So why not
just come down and I'll show you what I can really
do. Naughty sister. You're going to make me blush.
If you want such carnal delights, you will need
to woo me first. Besides, we really should keep
things professional. I wouldn't want people to
talk. John's tone had shifted. He knew what would
happen next. Sister Euphemia could feel her ears
getting hot. How dare this arrogant vampire speak
to her this way? She seethed with anger. Now
you look. Calm down. No need for hysterics. I
don't want to fight. My love, he said. Stop it!
Sister Euphemia could feel herself losing her
composure. You know something funny? I was just
like you. I was raised to believe in the Almighty,
and I became a priest. But that was a very long
time ago. How is that possible? Priest blood
would have been like poison to a vampire, asked
Sister Euphemia. It's not. In fact, your blood
would taste like a fine wine. Devout virgin and
servant of God, I can taste the notes of youth
and vitality just thinking about it. Now you
must know that not every priest or even nun is
virtuous. I surely wasn't. True, priests are
just men and can fail. I'm sure your sins were
great for a vampire to be able to turn you. Oh,
I led a very sinful life, and it was magnificent,
he replied with a fang -filled smile. Why not
come down and we'll talk? Because I don't want
to have to kill you, my love. Stop saying my
love, she commanded. Don't get yourself worked
up again. I was hoping we could work together.
I'm not working with the likes of you. Sister
Euphemia had had enough. She quickly bounded
between the walls of the alley effortlessly.
John waited. Just as she flew at him, he evaded
and struck her square in the back, sending her
ten feet down where she performed a perfect belly
flop. onto the cobblestone. Pain shot through
her body. Tears welled in her eyes. She gasped
for air. John descended and put his claws to
her throat. You're young, fanatical, and hot
-headed. Those three things will get you killed,
or worse. Blind faith is for idiots, my love.
And with a gust of wind, he was gone. She never
even saw his face. Stupid, stupid, stupid! He
could have killed me, she thought. But why didn't
he? She felt weak and outmatched for the first
time. She hated it. Pain throbbed in every part
of her body. Moving was a challenge, but she
had to get back to the cathedral. It wasn't far,
but every step was pure agony. Slinking along
the back streets and shadowed walkways, Sister
Euphemia thought about what the vampire said.
He claimed to be a priest. She had never really
met a bad priest, but she had heard rumors. Still,
she believed this vampire. She knew men could
fail. How did he sin? Who was John before he
became a creature of the night, she wondered.
He was right. I let my anger control me, she
murmured. The broken windows of the cathedral
allowed a cold draft in. Ash covered all the
surfaces inside and out. The sister entered through
the broken side door. There was a concealed loft
in the lady's chapel where she slept. She had
been sleeping there when they raided and arrested
the others. She almost attacked the intruders,
but then they would all be imprisoned, and that
helped no one. Still, she felt guilty over not
being with the other sisters. After the arrest
of the nuns and priest, the mob had stripped
the hall of anything, even going so far as to
tear out the marble tiles. Barbarians, she thought.
Her stomach gurgled. She was hungry, in pain
and alone. Cut off from the church, her sisters,
everyone really. It was a bleak reality and standing
in an ash -covered, desecrated cathedral did
not help. She understood the people's anger and
the need for change. They were starving and abused
by the rich with little to no recourse. But the
revolution had devolved into wholesale murder,
in her opinion. It had gone too far. Feeling
sorry for yourself, my love? John's voice echoed
through the chamber of the church. How dare you!
This is the house of God, she yelled while turning
to see where he might be. New adrenaline muted
the pain, but only for a moment. What did I just
tell you not thirty minutes ago? Your anger,
blind faith, and reactionary outbursts will be
your undoing. John stepped out from the shadows
next to the pulpit on the altar. He looked about
the cathedral and gave out an audible sigh. I
remember God keeping a cleaner home back in my
day. The moon lit his porcelain features. He
was tall and extremely handsome with perfect
wavy jet black hair and pock -free skin. Sister
Euphemia guessed that he must have been in his
early twenties when he was turned. She moved
forward, but this time slowly. The sister did
not have enough energy to fight. Why are you
here? If you're going to kill me, do it fast.
I just ask that you don't make me a vampire,
please. If I wanted to kill you, well, you know
the rest. Also, there are worse things than becoming
a vampire, John replied. I doubt that. Your anger
interrupted our conversation. That is why I'm
here. I must ask, how can you stand in this hall?
You should have burst into flames the second
you stepped on holy ground. It's no longer holy
ground. Plus, the older a vampire gets, the less
holy items and places work against them. I could
stand with a cross under my feet if I wanted
to. It might hurt after a time, but that's all.
She stopped approaching. Her legs hurt too much.
Dropping to the floor, she gave out a heavy sigh.
This vampire talks too much, she thought. Well,
fiend, you have me. Kill me quickly and be done
with it, murmured Sister Euphemia. So dramatic.
Look, you can't be this slow. I said I wanted
to work with you, John insisted. Why? You're
an evil, undead nightmare who kills with no regard.
She coughed and felt her ribs move in an unnatural
way. Fine, speak your deal, devil. She resigned
herself to the fact that this vampire wouldn't
shut up till he had his say. I'm no devil, but
yes, I do hunt humans. I must eat just like you.
It's not evil, it's the natural order. I also
understand the hatred. A gazelle does not want
the lion to eat them, so they run, but the lion
must chase. It must eat to survive. What's a
gazelle? Sister Euphemia asked while finally
looking up at him with a blank stare. It's a
fast -moving deer -like creature. You know, it
doesn't matter. Here is what I'm offering. I
know you've been looking for a vampire's den
here in Paris. I'll give you what you seek. You
just have to get rid of them, John said with
a grin. Why would you do such a thing? Why have
me kill your brothers and sisters, she asked,
perplexed. They are not my family, my love. Suddenly
he was standing above her. If only I had the
strength to kill this man, he's less than a foot
away, she thought. Stop. Calling me that, you
arrogant bastard, she snapped at him with a tone
of molten fury. No. But I will answer your question.
There are too many of us. When the revolution
started, it created copious amounts of food.
The streets ran crimson with so much savagery.
It was impressive. With all that extra blood,
the eldest of us started making new vampires.
They wanted more servants, I guess. It's short
-sighted. What happens when the blood supply
runs dry? It's better to cull the weak now rather
than fight vampires mad with hunger. I tell you
this, sister. When all these beheadings stop,
it will be bedlam. Just imagine a Paris where
hundreds of vampires were starving. They'd drain
the city dry in just a few days. I, for one,
have no desire to move again. I like it here.
So what do you say, my love? Can you do it? This
feels like a trap. She looked him in his cold,
undead eyes, looking for a soul that wasn't there.
It's not. John produced an envelope and placed
it next to her. Here are the locations. I know
you need rest. Good luck, my love. I told you
not to call me that, she screamed. But he was
already gone. Arse, she mumbled. Picking up the
envelope, she noted a very old papal seal on
it, but the wax was new. Strange, she thought.
Inside were the locations of dens all underground.
Probably in the sewer. Great, she thought, letting
out a sigh. She made it to her cot and passed
out. In her dreams, John would appear and was
nice to her. She dreamt of kissing him, being
with him. Upon waking, she felt guilty of these
lustful thoughts. But the dreams were always
the same. It's as if John had put some spell
on her. She was startled awake by the sound of
glass breaking and laughter. Sister Euphemia
could not tell what time it was or how long she
had been out. It felt like days. She knew it
was most likely kids breaking the glass. Why
don't people just leave the cathedral alone,
she thought. She continued to fade in and out
of consciousness. The passage of time meant nothing.
All she had were waking pain and lustful dreams.
When she woke, she would drink the water and
eat the bread that were always next to her bed.
When Sister Euphemia could, she'd pray, God,
my Lord, please help me find the strength to
carry on your work. Help me heal so I can serve
your glory. Forgive me for my wicked thoughts.
Amen. Sister, wake up. A voice broke through
into Sister Euphemia's dream world. Come on,
wake up, it said forcefully. Father O'Shea, I
thought you died. I haven't been called father
in a long time. Come on, get up, John replied.
Finally, Sister Euphemia came too. She sat up.
John was sitting next to her. You've been in
and out of it for two weeks. I didn't realize
how much damage I caused you from that fall,
he said. Tis but a scratch. She smiled, drunk
on too much sleep. You're brave, no doubt, but
fighting vampires will take a toll, John replied.
Yes, I know. She was starting to come to her
senses. Why are you here? I've been here, taking
care of you, feeding you, cleaning you. We've
had full conversations, you don't remember? No,
I thought it was all a dream. You took care of
me? My help can't be that important to you, she
scoffed. It is. Things have only gotten worse.
That's terrible. But I think I broke a rib. I
don't know how long it will take to heal. If
my sisters were free, we would be out hunting
together. But I can only do so much on my own,
the sister explained. Your kind heals much faster
than us, remember? I'm aware, but we need to
act. Besides, it's not good to just sit in bed.
She looked at him with none side eye. Your self
-serving concern about my well -being is touching,
really. But I cannot rush the healing process.
Only God can. Not true. I have a way, John stated.
Let me guess. Drink your blood? You think I'm
daft, do you? The sister knew how vampires were
created. Correct. I have no desire to corrupt
my body with your evil. My love, how do you know
till you try? He winked at her with a wide grin.
John, know this. When I do heal, I'm going to
stab you for every time you've said my love.
Do you understand? Someone woke up on the wrong
side of the cot. If you're going to be a pest,
could you just kill me and get it over with?
I crave silence from you, Sister Euphemia said
mockingly. She knew she should fear him, but
she didn't. Few know what I'm about to tell you.
It takes more than drinking vampire blood to
become one of us, but drinking it will heal you
quickly. You're lying. I may only be 22, but
I can see your smooth -talking lies a mile away.
No, I am not. There is a whole ritual to making
a vampire. Also, every day you are up here sleeping,
the city gets worse and more humans are turned
or die. You need to get back on your feet. Please,
Sister Euphemia, you're my only hope. Oh, please,
that sounded like a stage actor reading a line.
Why don't you go deal with the vampires yourself?
I can't. Taking on that many at night would mean
certain death. I need a human to do it during
the day when they are weak, John replied. I'm
not the only human in Paris, you know. She took
another bite of bread with a drink of cleanish
water. You're the only vampire hunter in Paris.
Come on, you can't let the world burn when the
cure is right in front of you. So, I drink your
blood, feel better, kill vampires? Right. Sister
Ephemia thought about all that was wrong with
this line of reasoning. but there was one thing
she couldn't shake. Her wounds could be fatal.
It had been two weeks, and she felt worse, not
better. She wasn't healing, meaning her blood
could be infected already. With no doctors, she
had little chance of making it. Even with her
belief in the Almighty and Heaven, she was afraid
to die. She was very young, and there was so
much to do. Sister Euphemia wanted to save as
many souls as she could. Was this a trap to turn
her into an unwitting slave to John? Maybe. There
were too many unknowns. But John was right. People
were dying or becoming vampires. If she could
save people, even with the help of the enemy,
wasn't that a good thing? The entire vampire
hunting power of Paris was imprisoned or killed,
save for her. She had no time to wait for her
bones to heal on their own. She had to act. Fine.
I need to help people, even if they do hate the
church. I can't do that from this bed. But know
this, I will not be a vampire. I'll run into
the sun the first chance I get if you're lying
to me, John. John looked her right in the eyes.
I promise you will not become a vampire. To trust
your word would make me the biggest fool, but
I need to help people. What must I do, she asked.
John produced a vial of blood. Drink this. It
will heal you up and give you strength, he said
with a smile. She took it from him and stared
into the crimson liquid. Without looking up,
she asked, tell me, John. Is there any salvation
for a repentant vampire? Could you find your
way back to God? I don't think so. I will admit
that after all this time, I miss the church.
Not the church I knew when I was alive. I was
beyond arrogant and full of hubris. Still am.
He smiled at her. What I really miss is praying
and feeling like God was listening. I lost that
feeling as a child before I entered the church
or became a vampire. The innocence of blind faith
is an amazing thing that you can't appreciate
till it's gone. He looked away wistfully. He
meant what he said. For the first time, he was
being honest with her. Did you become a vampire
of your own free will? He turned back to look
at her. Yes. It might seem strange, but vampires
must receive consent to turn someone. If a vampire
tries to force the conversion, it will not happen.
God gives one the power to stand against the
darkness. Interesting. I never said that, John
muttered, looking away again. There's much about
vampires and God we still don't know. Before
I drink this, tell me more about how one makes
a vampire. You must drink directly from a vampire's
open vein, usually the wrist. By the time this
happens, the human is usually a devoted servant
of their vampire master. Bites on the neck are
just how we feed, he replied. She looked at the
vial again. It was ice cold in her hand. This
is a bad idea, she thought just before pulling
out the cork and drinking it down. She let out
a huge cough as the blood made its way down her
throat. It burned worse than any alcohol she
had swallowed. It was like she was on fire. Every
muscle flexed at once and she howled in anguish.
She could feel her ribs moving back into place.
She wasn't sure how long the process would take,
but when it was done, she fell back on her cot
covered in sweat. Her body no longer hurt. She
felt great. John leaned over her. They looked
into each other's eyes and he bent down to give
her a kiss. Slap. What do you think you're doing?
You try and kiss me again and I'll cut your bleeding
head off. Get out of my chamber and wait downstairs,
she commanded. John rubbed his jaw, stood up
as if he was not just trying to kiss her, and
walked out. I swear to almighty God, when I'm
done with this mission, I'm going to send that
fool vampire straight to hell, she mumbled to
herself. Getting up quickly, she looked at her
body. All the bruises were gone. She felt alive,
which was funny, because she just drank undead
blood. She took off her clothes, washed her body
as best she could, and put on new clothing. It
took an hour, and John was beyond bored waiting
for her. She came out looking like a new person.
Finally! What took you so long? he asked. I had
to bathe and change, she said. Fine. Let's get
down to the plan. You have the locations where
they sleep. They have no one guarding them, he
said a bit coldly. Hubris, she muttered. Precisely.
They can wake to fight. They are in complete
darkness, so you'll want to kill the older vampires
first. If you don't, they will kill you. How
will I know who the older ones are, she inquired.
Easy. They have coffins while the others will
just be on the floor. Once you kill a vampire's
master, its spawn will become much weaker, so
they should be easy to deal with. How many old
vampires are at these locations? Sister Euphemia
asked. Five at most. And how many spawn? One
or two hundred, John replied. One or two hundred?
Are you mad? I can't beat that many vampires
on my own, she protested. You can with my blood
and with the older ones out of the way. Trust
me, he said. How long does your blood last? Not
sure. Here are more vials for you to take if
you need. Just remember, don't take them until
you feel the effects starting to wear off. Taking
more might come with some side effects, John
said ominously. She took the vials and the two
of them went over the plan for the next three
hours. Right before the sun rose, John said goodbye
and good luck, then headed out into the pre -dawn
night. She looked over her weapons, put the vials
in an easy -to -reach place, and then, for what
she'd hoped wouldn't be the last time, she kneeled
to pray in the main sanctuary of the cathedral.
Dear God, I'm sure there must be a prayer for
when you are about to go to battle, but I just
want to talk to you. Vampires are not the savage
monsters I thought they were. No, they are much
worse. They are cunning and sophisticated. I
know I sinned by taking John's help and drinking
his blood. I did it to save people. I hope you
understand and can forgive my sin. I set out
to fight evil in your name. Please. Help me bring
an end to the vampires in this city. With your
guiding light, I know I can defeat them. I love
you, God. Amen. The sun had started to light
the sky. It was time. At first glance, Sister
Euphemia thought she would have to go through
the Paris sewer system to get to her targets.
But the map led to underground catacombs, long,
dark tunnels created to connect underground ossuaries.
She could tell there had been a lot of movement.
John's blood allowed her to see well beyond human
ability. She made it to the first location. It
was pitch black, but her new powers made seeing
in the dark easy. She snuck to the first elder
tomb, avoiding the sleeping vampires on the floor.
Lifting the lid, she peered inside. It was a
beautiful woman, the most beautiful woman Sister
Euphemia had ever seen. The nun smiled for a
moment and then with brute force drove a stake
through the vampire's heart. It let out a yowl
and then dissolved. This is not how the younger
ones die, she thought. The room burst in screams
as the younger undead woke. Euphemia dispatched
them in short order with grace she had never
had before. But as the last one exploded, she
could feel her new abilities falter. John's magical
blood did not last as long as she thought it
would. She caught her breath, popped the cork
on the next vial, and when done, threw it on
the floor. She moved fast. It was the only way
to win. Every vampire she killed exploded in
a hail of blood and guts. One location after
another, she killed the elders and then the weaker
ones, each time popping the cork of John's magical
blood and then throwing the vials to the floor
on her way out. By the final tomb, it was almost
dusk. At that point, she had killed at least
four to five hundred vampires, including several
elders. I did it all with John's help, she thought,
and then smiled. Caked in blood and gore, she
looked like some shimmering crimson ooze monster.
I need a bath so badly, she muttered. The young
nun took the last vial of blood, popped the cork
and opened the last tomb's door. It was empty.
Sister Euphemia walked in to make sure it was
clear. Strange, she thought. Then John's voice
broke the silence. This is the right place. You've
done well, my love. Sister Euphemia turned to
look at John standing at the entrance. So this
is the trap. It's nightfall and you're here to
take me out now that I've done what you wanted,
she said in a deadpan tone. Wow, you are a mess.
I guess killing over 500 vampires will do that,
though. Good job. And no, this is not a trap.
This is me making you my servant, or even lover
if I wish. The blood, my love. You drank all
of them, correct? He smiled. I did, she replied
weakly. Oh Christ almighty, I can feel it. I
can feel you in my soul. All those vials. You
are a lying bastard. I knew you couldn't be honest
for a moment. Why am I so stupid? You promised
you wouldn't make me a vampire. We had a deal.
She grabbed her stomach, her face contorted with
regret. Now, now, now. I promised you I wouldn't
make you a vampire. I have not. But I did not
promise that I wouldn't take control of you through
ample amounts of my blood in your system. I knew
exactly how much you would need to get to this
point, he said with an evil grin. I knew you'd
drink the last vial when you got to the door
because I warned you to. I told you that the
deeper you went, the more vampires there would
be. You, being young, overconfident, fanatical
for a fake god and a hothead, Ate it up. You
even asked for a promise like a child. Sad. John
put his hand up. Come to me, my love. Sister
Euphemia fought with all her might, straining
to stop walking to him. He laughed as she stumbled
forward. Finally, she was next to him. He took
her in his arms. See, my love? It all worked
out for the best. Yes, master. Except you should
know something. What? I only drank that first
vial to heal myself. I poured out the rest. And
within a second, she slammed him against the
wall and shoved a stake into his chest. Stunned,
he looked down. Why did you miss, John asked,
still confused. I whipped out a lot of vampires
today, sure, but not all of them. I left your
blood at each tomb. She then poured out the final
vial. I don't think your kind likes vampire killers,
am I right? You watched over me while I healed.
I can't kill you now, but they can. John pulled
the stake out. What's stopping me from killing
you right now, whore? Sister Euphemia closed
the distance and slapped John hard. Because you
know the only way I survived today was my ability
and God's blessing. You know I can take you.
Now you'd better leave here soon before the vampires
I've left come and kill you for what you did.
John stormed out of the tomb furious. Oh, John!
He stopped in the hall. We are even. The next
time I won't miss, you daft bastard. John didn't
say anything, and in a moment was gone. Sister
Euphemia could hear the vampires coming, so she
made her way to the nearest exit and disappeared
too. Whew! Sister Euphemia was one tough nun.
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