Page 66 of Monster in Disguise

"Sister," his voice grows more urgent each time.

Assisi's hand slowly descends and she gently pats his back in comfort.

Vlad's breathing quickens and he emits low sounds from deep in his throat.

"It's okay. You're safe here," Assisi coos softly, her words having an immediate effect as Vlad closes his eyes.

"I think he's sleeping," Assisi says after a while, slowly disentangling herself from his grasp. Vlad collapses onto the floor, out cold.

"What wasthat?" Assisi asks, but I just shake my head.

How can I explain Vlad without making the currently disemboweled nun seem like child's play?

I'm just relieved things didn't get out of control. I've witnessed Vlad in the throes of his rage before, and all of those episodes had ended with at least a couple of corpses. Whatever clicked in his brain when I'd mentioned that Assisi was my sister must have stopped him from going all berserker on us.

"He..." I try to come up with a plausible explanation, "has some trauma. This must have triggered him." I mean, it's technically true.

Both Assisi and Catalina nod, and I change the subject. Because them finding out more about Vlad would mean finding out more about me...

"Before we leave, I want to ask you something," I tell my sister.

"What?"

"Do you really want to take your vows? If you feel in any way that this life isn't for you, you can tell me. I'm worried about your safety here, and Mother Superior won't let me hire a guard for you."

Assisi's lip trembles for a second, and she lifts her eyes to look at me in wonder.

"You... you're saying..." She stammers. "You're saying I can leave the convent? But where would I go... I..."

"You can come live with us," Catalina interjects, coming towards Assisi. "We'd love to have you, isn't that so, Marcello?"

I nod.

"It's your home too. And you'd be safer there."

"I..." She shakes her head. "Yes, yes, please," her voice is thick with emotion, and she throws herself into Catalina's arms.

"Thank you! I... You do not understand what that means to me," she repeats, and I'm suddenly stunned by her reaction.

"Did you not like it here?" I ask, almost hesitantly.

"It's not that," she starts, but the slow shake of her head belies her words. "I don't think I'm fit to be a nun."

"I think this is the best option. I've always known Sisi wasn't meant for this life," Catalina turns to me, an approving smile playing on her lips.

All this time... It really seems that nothing I do is ever right.

A loud groan resounds in the chapel.

Vlad slowly draws himself to his feet, his eyes unfocused.

"Damn," he curses. He looks as if he's just waking up after a hangover. "What happened?"

"I think you've had your fill of blood for today," I add drily, knowing he will get my meaning.

His features are taut, and he gives me a brisk nod.

"Sorry about that." The transformation is immediate. One moment his jaw is tense, the next a beaming smile appears on his face.

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