Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [39]
Chapter Nine
Connor remained silent as he joined the priest in the clearing behind the cabin. Father Andrew was gazing at the stars, murmuring a prayer, his breath frosting in the chilly night air.
The priest crossed himself, then turned to Connor. “I have to thank you. This has been a . . . momentous occasion for me.”
Connor hid his surprise. He’d expected the priest to berate him. “Do ye think Shanna will be all right?”
“Yes.” The priest gazed at the stars once more. “I have faith she will come through.”
Connor nodded. Out of habit, he scanned the woods, looking for danger. “Then maybe Roman will be able to forgive me.”
“I believe he will.” Father Andrew glanced at Connor. “Can you forgive yourself?”
He winced. “Roman is the one who transformed me. ’Tis a serious offense in our world to betray one’s sire.”
The priest’s eyebrows rose. “And Roman’s sire was Casimir?”
“Yes. Casimir hates all of us Vamps, but he harbors a special hatred for Roman. That betrayal was personal.”
“I see.” Father Andrew nodded thoughtfully. “Still, I don’t think what happened tonight constitutes a betrayal. It was an accident. You had no way of knowing.”
“I should have known. The warning signs were there.” Just like they were before he’d lost his wife and child. He was always too damned blind, and it was the ones he loved who paid for his mistakes. “I have a long history of screwing up.”
“You might feel better if you talked about it.”
He gave the priest a wry look. “We’ve had this conversation before. I confess nothing.”
“Stubborn as always.” Father Andrew smiled slightly. “That can be a virtue in dangerous times. I’m sure you realize that Marielle needs a protector.”
He nodded. “She is wise in spiritual matters, but naïve when it comes to surviving in this world.”
“Yes, that, too, but I’m mostly concerned about the demon you mentioned.”
“Darafer.”
Father Andrew crossed himself. “Do you think he’ll come back?”
“I’m sure of it. He considers her a fallen angel.”
“She needs protection. Will you do it?” The priest regarded him sternly. “I do not ask it lightly. I will expect you to defend her with your life.”
Connor swallowed hard. “I will.”
“I’ll print out some special prayers I want you to have on hand. And I’ll make sure you have some vials of holy water.”
Connor snorted. “I would feel better with a few swords.”
The priest gripped him on the shoulder. “The demon will attack where you are the weakest. You must be as strong in your faith as you are in physical strength.”
Then he was most likely doomed. “I have never found faith to be easy.”
“Of course not. That is the nature of faith.” The priest squeezed his shoulder. “I have faith in you. And more importantly, Marielle has faith in you. I can see there is a bond between you. She trusts you.”
“I am no’ worthy—”
“None of us are worthy,” Father Andrew snapped, irritation flashing in his eyes. With a sigh, he dropped his hand. “Do you know why I became a priest?”
“To help—”
“That’s my reason now. But originally, I took my vows out of guilt. As a young man, I was stupid and selfish. I drove while intoxicated and slammed into a tree. Killed my best friend.”
Connor inhaled sharply.
“Appalling, I know.” Father Andrew’s mouth twisted. “Did you think Vamps have a monopoly on tragic mistakes?”
“I’m sorry.”
Father Andrew patted him on the back, then went back to gazing at the stars. “Can you imagine thousands of angels all around us, and we do not see them? There is so much I cannot see, but I have a strong feeling that tonight is important. There is a reason you found Marielle.”
“Perhaps.” Connor wasn’t sure his faith could stretch that far. Still, it was lucky that a Vamp had found her. A mortal would have died trying to help her.
“Be careful.”
“I will.” He would have to keep his hands off her. Let her remain innocent and angelic. “She wants to go back to heaven.”
“Don’t we all.” Father Andrew headed back to the porch. “Let’s see how our angel is doing.”
“Say cheese!” Gregori leaned close