Page 64 of Monster in Disguise

She puts it on the table, and we all gather around to analyze it.

"It's vellum... mayhap human vellum," Vlad comments, taking a knife and tossing it around to get a better look. There is some sort of writing on it, and Vlad reluctantly uses his handkerchief to wipe the blood off it.

"Paying for the sins of others," I read out loud, and Catalina gasps.

"It's because of me, isn't it? Whoever is doing this, it's because of what I did..." A tear makes its way down her cheek, and I wish I could just lift my hand and wipe it.

"Catalina," I say, trying to figure out how to tell her it might not be her they're after, but me.

"Whose skin is this?" Assisi asks as she gets a closer look. "Is it hers?" She points to the nun.

"Probably not," I say and grimace at my own words. It's simply how this person works.

She frowns.

"How are you so sure?"

"Because whoever did this," I start and take a deep breath, turning to look at Catalina, "is not targeting you."

"What do you mean?" she asks, her voice a mere whisper.

"This," Vlad brandishes his knife towards the nun's face and the C marring her features, "is the mark of a serial killer. The C by itself could have pointed to you," he turns to Catalina, "but the teeth confirm it's a serial killer we've been looking for."

"What...?" Assisi asks, tilting her head, as if in disbelief.

"Let me get this," she starts. I'm once again amazed by her composure throughout all of this. "You are saying that the person who killed our Sister is a serial killer? Then what aboutFather Guerra? I don't believe it's a coincidence these things happened almost within a week of each other."

Assisi's hand reaches up to massage her forehead, smearing the blood on her skin. She winces as the pain shoots through her head, but she tries to ignore it.

Vlad's intense gaze is fixated on Assisi's face, his eyes tracing every tiny trail of blood with a mix of morbid fascination. In just two quick strides, he is standing right in front of her.

"Vlad!" I bark out, my heart racing with worry. Will he lose control? Will he hurt her?

But Vlad remains silent, his entire being focused on the red spots on Assisi's face.

I mouth to Assisi, "Don't move," fearing that any sudden movement might trigger Vlad's volatile emotions. The last time he had one of his episodes... it hadn't ended well.

Her eyes widen in surprise, but she gives a slow nod, understanding the gravity of the situation.

Vlad's usually expressive eyes are now vacant as he tilts his head to study my sister's face with an almost otherworldly intensity.

"Vlad!" I call out again, hoping to wake him from whatever trance he's in.

His arm moves up and I'm already in motion, ready to pull him off Assisi.

To my surprise, his hand goes to her forehead, almost tenderly, and he swipes some blood with his fingers. He stares at it for a second before bringing it to his lips. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, enjoying the taste of the blood.

"What...?" Assisi looks stunned as she frowns at Vlad.

"Assisi, come here, but slowly. He might be dangerous."

She looks unconvinced but does as asked, moving herself out of Vlad's grasp. He's still locked away somewhere, his face blank.

"What's wrong with him?" Assisi asks when she reaches my side.

"He's not... normal," I say because that's the only thing that can accurately describe this situation.

"Not... normal?" Assisi repeats, continuing to study Vlad's rigid form.

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