Footsteps could be heard through the halls, as two people walk. Each step echoing off the walls, along with their voices as the two talked. “I already set you a meeting with Lord Grey. You are confident he would rule in our favor?” The male ask, he wore priest like clothes, though he didn’t wear a veil like the one he spoke to.

“Yes I am sure of it, are you not tired of having what we want to do just ignored? This church could be so much more, if we could get out from under Zagine.” Voltruist spoke.” Of course I’ll be telling Zagine today after my meeting with Lord Grey.”

“Are you not scared he’d take it as an act of betrayal?” The male ask.

“He might, but I’m not betraying him. I’m just trying to achieve my dreams and goals. Im trying to do what is her design, surely he’d understand that. After all he says he understands my vision.”Voltruist replied

“And yet we are sneaking behind his back, by going to Lord Grey. Mind you I fully support you, I just don’t want you to get hurt.” He state.

Voltruist smiled “I don’t think Zagine would hurt me, you don’t have anything to worry about.” He stop as they came to Zagine office. “Besides it’s better this way. He can use a better front, while we can better serve her will. It is just better all the way around. For now just go about your business like any normal day and by tomorrow we should be able to finally fully focus on the church.”

The male nod and bowed his head “Of course father.” He then move to head off and continue his duties as he did everyday.

Voltruist would move to enter Zagine office, the vampire having summoned him. He was sure it was likely over something to do with his operation and Voltruist figure today will be the last of it. So he could handle dealing with it one more time. “Greetings, you called for me?” He spoke.

Zagine was standing bent over his desk looking at papers, when he looked up to Voltruist. “Oh yes. I notice you are rather close to Stahs. So I figured I deliver the bad news to you.”

Voltruist seem confused by Zagines words, when he last spoke to Stahs everything seem fine. Stahs had approved his meeting and discussion, plus Stahs seem more like the advocater for it. So what bad news could Zagine tell, that Stahs could not say himself? “What bad news?”

Zagine move from around the desk “Stahs will no longer be with us, nor council. There was a incident involving hunters, he fought bravely, however he was hurt badly. Hes in torpor and well you should know better then any, no one comes out of that.”

Voltruist stared as he listened, still confused. The council had a treaty with the human hunters. Why would the hunters go back on it, knowing there be a horrid war. “I…don’t understand. How could this be?”

Zagine shrugs “Humans, they are terrible beings. I know this must be very hard for you.” He state as he moved closer to the priest “Especially since you had that very important meeting with him today.” Voltruist looks at Zagine when he spoke. How did he know of that meeting, they were very discreet about it. “I am hurt you be so secretive of such. Tru you know you can speak to me.”

Voltruist watched him, his hand at his side balling into a fist as he dug his claws into his palm “I know…just….sometimes there are things I just want to do on my own.”

“Like plotting to destroy everything I built here?” Zagine ask.

“No not destroy, I thought it be better if your operation had a different front. I thought what was best for the both of us.” Voltruist tried to explain, while Zagine grabbed a cane that was next to his desk inspecting it while the priest spoke. “Honest, my intention was for the best of both our worlds.” Right after he said that and before he could get more out, Zagine struck him across the face with the cane. Sending Voltruist falling the the floor from the strike.

The priest was rather surprised to be hit, tasting the blood in his mouth as some dripped out and onto the floor as he tried to get up, only to be hit again in the back by the cane. “You thought? You thought? You don’t think, you just do as I say. I own you Tru, I’ve told you this before. I told you at the beginning, this can be easy or hard. It doesn’t bother me one bit which way it goes. You are only here, in your position because of me. You only have this church because of me. Without me, you are nothing and you would have nothing.” Zagine said as he struck at Voltruist few more times.

Voltruist winced and whimpered at the hits, though this was nothing compared to what his sire put him through. He knew he could bull through the pain, the sting of each strike. It was clear he was going to have to work hard to get the council to see his worth. Especially with Stahs gone, he knew he would have to listen to Zagine. Slowly when the hitting stopped, Voltruist got up and gave a bow with his head “Of course, forgive me. It seems I had forgotten my place sir. It won’t happen again.”

Zagine reached out grabbing Voltruist chin as he looked to him “Good, cause the next time you get a bright idea to betray me. I’ll take your church from you. Hell next time, I’ll just chain you up and leave you in the basement to starve. I don’t want to hurt you Tru. I care about you. No one cares as much as I do. However when you do these things, it makes me have to hurt you. So for now on you just listen to me, so that I don’t have to hurt you.”

Voltruist gave a nod “Of course, it’s my fault. I will be better.” He told him.

Zagine nods and moved away “You can go now. Also make sure everyone ready, we are getting a shipment in later.”

Voltruist bowed his head again “Of course, I shall get on that immediately.” Moving out of the office. He head down the hall, wiping the rest of the blood from his lips. The male he spoke to earlier seeing him frowned.

“What happened?” He ask concerned.

Voltruist looked around and gesture the male to walk with him “Lord Grey is not with us anymore. He was attacked and now is in torpor. Looks as though we must continue to serve Zagine till she shows us another way. “

The male looked confused “How convenient that right when we are going to have a meeting to get the church free, Lord Grey is in a sense taken out. How did he even know about it?”

Voltruist nods slowly as he listens “Indeed. I’m trying to figure that out. We only spoke in the church with our own around.”

The male frowns “It would seem we have a Judas among us. Shall I run a investigation to catch them?”

Voltruist shook his head “No, we will obey for now. Plus I am sure our Judas will put themselves. Worry about keeping our confress safe.” He knew if they went on a witch hunt Zagine would know and he rather not cross him so soon.