"Our ancestors fought this war for us, and here we are, fighting it in turn with the—perhaps foolish—hope of winning. Who among us hasn’t wished to wake up one morning to the voice of the brave pureblood knights announcing our victory? Sadly, in recent years, none of that has come to pass, and we’ve watched the Dukes come and go, each battle spilling a little more blood into our lands."

As I listened to the Asmerion’s speech, my gaze wandered across the crowd. They seemed moved by his words—though, to me, they were fairly ordinary. And then I saw sweet Anela, his eyes bright and filled with admiration for the Asmerion, and I could see that no doubt had ever touched him when the leader of each city gave their grand speeches. He believed in the Asmerion—less than in our God Rodel, but still. His purity and his faith sent a thrill of excitement through me.

"My brothers, my sisters, we, the children of Rodel, I fear I must bring you grim and sorrowful news. Today and in the days to come, we will need to show unity and strength even greater than we did yesterday. Our lands are gravely ill. The crops yield almost nothing, and the animals are dying—or becoming monstrous. Humanity is fading."

The crowd began to murmur, and terror slowly crept across their features. Yet again, instead of all these purebloods, I looked to Anela. This curious being, who had endured hundreds of battles and thousands of losses, and who continued to smile and walk with pride, remained impassive before the crowd. He betrayed nothing, even as I understood the pain flooding his lovely, beating heart.

"Sacrifices will have to be made to survive, so that tomorrow’s generations may live for the future the Dukes will offer them."

Anela must have felt my gaze, because he lifted his head to look at me. His red eyes, meeting one of his peers, finally revealed the sorrow he carried—yet still… still that same soft, innocent smile rested on his lips. I saw no desire in him, none like the ones that lingered in my mind. He had no wants. Surely he saw me as a colleague, while I dreamed of devouring him.

Standing aside with Fratera and Beret, no civilians could see the tender expression worn by the Bloody Vicar. I alone witnessed it.

"Can you believe Vyl’s missing this!" Beret exclaimed gruffly.

Anela tore his attention away from me to glance at Beret, Duke of Darkblood. Indeed, Vyl, Duke of Whiteblood, had to leave us in a hurry. He’d been informed during the night that something had happened on his lands. We hadn’t learned more, but we agreed to meet at Goneblood before dawn to begin our journey into the lands held by the bloodfeast. No one was truly worried for Vyl—these kinds of incidents happened more often than one might imagine.

Spilling that much blood on the land did not come without consequences. Misfortune came hand in hand, and many “incidents” had struck Blood over the years. Another disaster wouldn’t be surprising to any of us. And in such dark times, Anela was right to ask for and hope for unity through the words of the Asmerion. The latter, caught in a solemn speech meant for all, laid out the issue of the land and the dwindling food supply.

Yet, aside from whispers and rising fear, the purebloods did not revolt. No signs of brutality or rebellion surfaced. The Asmerion had spoken, and the crowd listened—they believed in him. He assured them that he would do everything, with the help of the Dukes, to give them a radiant tomorrow, rich in provisions. His people believed him. Again, I looked at Anela, and he closed his eyes at the exact same moment. Surely he had begun to pray. A peaceful air rested on his masculine features.

"The Asmerion has always known the right words to say. The people believe in him, as do we. And if any doubts begin to grow in their minds, once they know you’re among those working to solve the problem, Anela, there will be nothing to fear," Fratera declared.

Anela opened his eyes, revealing again those blood-red irises I never tired of admiring. And then, it was the first time I’d seen eyelashes so long. I didn’t think it was possible, but they truly cast a shadow across his cheekbones.

"He’s right," Beret added in his gravelly voice. "You are the Bloody Vicar. In many ways, you’re as important to the purebloods as the Asmerion himself."

However, even though it was an inescapable truth, it didn’t seem to affect him. I’d even say he didn’t seem pleased that anyone gave him that much credit. So, when he gave a brief nod and turned away to disappear into the more discreet alleys, I didn’t try to follow him anymore. As annoying as it was to be separated from the only one who was truly attractive, I knew pushing him wouldn't help me. I let him vanish from sight while Beret grumbled about his departure. Fratera seemed to understand, as he didn’t insist either.

We stayed until the end of the Asmerion’s speech before returning to the inn. There, we talked at length about what awaited us on our journey. Despite what they’d learned, they didn’t truly know what lay ahead—but soon, they would. Anela’s concern for them, or at least for Vyl and Beret, was entirely justified. Those two, even in their Nightmares, couldn’t begin to imagine what was about to hit them.

I joined the conversation anyway, until night fell and I grew tired of waiting for Anela to return. I felt weighed down from hearing Beret’s gravelly voice—almost insulting to my delicate ears. The journey promised to be long. Duke Fratera, on the other hand, was far more pleasant. He was a man who seemed quite wise, with his head on straight. But however kind he might be, none of them compared to the perfect Anela.

So, when he appeared at the entrance of the inn and his gaze settled on us, my spirits lifted. He walked toward us, and those around us grew quiet to admire him.

"You should rest instead of feasting. We leave before dawn," he announced.

"Come feast with us a bit, Anela!" Beret laughed. "We’ll be rationed for the whole trip, so let’s enjoy it while we can!"

Anela’s gaze hardened, turning so cold that a heavy silence fell over the room.

"I’ll leave my share to those who truly need it."

And with those icy words, he turned on his heel. I stood up and caught up to him in a single stride. I grabbed his arm, and with a frown, he turned around.

"We weren’t really feasting," I explained. "We were talking about what awaits us and—"

He shook his head and gestured toward the table I’d been at, where the two Dukes still sat.

"You’re a grown man, Selene. Do whatever you want."

Anela was clearly in a foul mood. Irritated, I let him go and cast a dark glare at Beret, who was drinking a mug of alcohol. I clenched my jaw and went upstairs to find refuge in my room. I’d have plenty of that unpleasant Duke during the journey—no need to exhaust myself early. So I left Fratera to Beret without a shred of pity and turned the handle of my door with a certain relief. I glanced at Anela’s room but quickly gave up.

When I opened my door, I was far from pleased to find two half-naked individuals sprawled across my bed. I shut the door louder than intended. The man and woman gave me a seductive look as I removed my armor. The boy stood, revealing his pretty curves, and approached me. His hands slid beneath my shirt, and I grabbed his wrists harshly. I leaned in, and he tilted his head back, clearly hoping for a kiss.

"Touch me again, and I’ll break your pretty fingers. Believe me, I’m telling you for your sake—you don’t want me to devour you."

My promise brought a flicker of confusion to the two lovers, who had clearly been prepared for me. Then the woman sat up, looking frightened.

"T-The Duke Beret paid us, along with others, to satisfy the Dukes. We’re sorry if—"

Her voice died out as I released the trembling boy. I gave a sharp nod toward the door, and they hurried out, nearly stumbling as they dressed. When they left—shivering from my sweet promise—they crossed paths with their companions, the ones sent to Anela, who had already been dismissed by him. A smile bloomed on my lips as I leaned against the doorway, silently questioning Anela with a look.

He blushed briefly, and I invited him in with an unspoken gesture. Dressed far more comfortably, he accepted and entered my room. He hesitated only a little before coming. Despite myself, I was touched by that. His anger had faded quickly—too quickly, perhaps—but I was more than pleased. The hope of spending a good evening wasn’t entirely in vain after all. Still, he remained standing in the middle of the room.

"Not in the mood for pleasure tonight?" I asked.

"And you?"

I chuckled softly and sat down on my bed, shrugging.

"With all due respect—since I don’t really know where their bodies have been—I’m not much into 'sharing'. If I’m going to indulge myself, I’d rather that 'indulgence' hasn’t been passed around by the whole Blood. Oh, I don’t blame them. It’s just not to my taste."

Anela seemed to examine me from every angle before nodding.

"I am powerless."

That confession hit as suddenly and brutally as a blow to the back. The surprise must have been plain on my face, because I didn’t have time to hide it—he had caught me completely off guard. Anela gave a small smirk, and for a moment I thought it was a joke—his first, even—but then he walked over to the window to observe the outside world.

"In truth, I can’t feel pleasure when lying with my lovers. My potential partners were appealing enough, but every time I find myself near them, I feel deeply disgusted. Not by them, though."

Sensing the conversation was about to take a serious turn, I stood and joined him.

"I don’t feel I have the right to touch purebloods who haven’t yet been defiled by the putrid blood of the bloodfeast. Even if it doesn’t show, with all those I’ve killed and the blood that has been spilled, I could create a sea."

The sorrowful look that crossed his face briefly gripped my heart, and I frowned at the odd sensation. Was he... was he mourning the bloodfeast he had killed?

"I don’t want to defile others with myself."

The question gnawed at my thoughts, and I took his chin in my hand, forcing him to look at me. I had hoped to find an answer in his eyes—but in vain. He only seemed curious about my reaction.

"Do you feel sorrow for killing the bloodfeast, Anela?"

His scarlet gaze dropped briefly before returning to mine.

"Don’t you?" he whispered. "I… I heard them scream as my blade tore through them; I saw them run when they had no chance against us. If that’s the case, why scream and run unless you fear death? Selene, I know my words may sound mad, but… I think there’s humanity in them. If they fear death, then they’re not so different from us."

I was stunned by his words. Nowhere in the entire Blood had I ever heard anyone speak of the bloodfeast as if they could be human. I was even more mesmerized by Anela—this being who was different in so many ways. The urge to lean in closer and taste him tugged at my insides, but I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the delightful hunger.

"Have you told the other Dukes? About how you see the bloodfeast?"

He chuckled, as if my suggestion were too absurd to even consider. He brushed my hand away so he could once again look out the window.

"I know Fratera well enough to know he doesn’t think like I do. I barely knew Vyl and Beret before yesterday, and I don’t feel any desire to share it with them. With you, it’s easier. You’re kind. You listen. I’m sorry you had to come with us."

'Sorry'? It sounded like a farewell. Did he think I wouldn’t make it back? Oh, well, he had every reason to believe that. Poor Anela must think he’s cursed. Everyone unfortunate enough to go on an 'expedition' with him had never returned—sooner or later. He probably believed we wouldn’t be the exception. With Vyl and Beret being inexperienced, the odds of death were even higher, since combat skill and mastery alone weren’t enough.

Ah… so many things had been taken from Anela, the Bloody Vicar. What would it take to break a force of nature blessed by our God Rodel himself?

"Don’t be sorry, Anela. We may be surprised in more ways than one during this journey!"