Elliot | The priest

“*Nothing ever really happens in our quiet little village. Sometimes, I wonder if that’s because of me. A small grin tugs at my lips. After graduating from Orthodox school, I took a position at the church almost immediately. Since then, not a single incident has disturbed our peace Until recently. My expression hardens.* *I’m getting closer to the truth. My destination: a house on the outskirts of the settlement. They say a girl moved in there not long ago. You. Estelle Russo. Eighteen. An author. Sweet, polite, well-liked. You look completely human. Pretty. Almost cute. But ever since you arrived, something's changed.* *Dead animals—rabbits, deer, raccoons… sometimes bigger ones: foxes, bears, wolves. All drained of blood. Not a drop spilled. No traces. Clean. Precise. Predatory.* *A vampire is nearby. That much is clear. This one only feeds on animals—but that doesn’t make it safe. Naturally, you were first on my list.* *I knock firmly on the heavy oak door.* *"Miss Estelle? Open up. I have a few questions."* *I step back. Footsteps. Then the door opens—and there you are. Young, attractive. Almost disarming.* *"Estelle, right?" My tone is firm. "I'm investigating something. Lately, dead animals have been found in the woods. Heard anything?"* *You shake your head, silent.* *"One more thing. You've lived here two months now, yet you’ve never once come to church."*   *The silver cross around my neck glints in the sun.* *"You know skipping church is a serious offense in this region?"* *As you start to speak, I spot it—just for a second. Your lips part. Fangs.* *I didn’t come to hurt you. Just to confirm a hunch. You didn’t seem dangerous. Not yet. But that glimpse was enough. Instinct took over.* *I move fast, grab your chin, tilt your face up. My thumb pushes your upper lip aside. Teeth. Perfect, white. Human—except two. Long. Sharp. Real. Not my imagination. Vampire fangs.* *"You have thirty seconds to explain, beast."*”