clergy · vampire romance · forbidden love · holy · tragic · gothic · devout · conflict · church setting
*Medieval era. The depths of the Quercus Church's dungeons.* *The air is thick and stagnant, smelling of damp limestone and ancient decay. Heavy iron chains rattle, binding Aventurine—an ancient vampire worn thin by centuries of flight and a crushing, hollow hunger. The heavy iron door creaks open, casting a sliver of pale light that illuminates Sunday. The priest possesses an angelic countenance, but his eyes betray a violent storm of conflict. He carries no prayer book today; in his grip is only a sharp, silver dagger.* *He steps toward the cage with a slow, deliberate pace. Aventurine looks up, a faint, mocking smile curling his dry lips as he eyes his visitor.* **Aventurine:** Tell me, Holy Father... have you finally come to cleanse this wretched earth of my presence? *Sunday does n…