Page 83 of Dreadful

I only have one question, and I’m ninety-nine percent sure of the answer already. After my first failed attempt with the driver, I was overly cautious. Now I’m throwing caution to the wind by acting on the priest out of order, so I want to be absolutely certain of every other step I take from here on out.

“Chiara, I’m—”

“Don’t fucking call me that,” I hiss and yank on his purple vestments. “Chiara is dead.”

His eyes catch on my scar, and he stills.

“It really is you, isn’t it? Claudio told me what happened with those demon dogs. You…you want revenge. Is that it? Revenge is for the wicked, child. You can stop this.” He licks his lips nervously. “W-whatever it is that you’ve done in the name of the devil, confession can set you free—”

“No, Father, it’s time foryouto confess.” I wrench him up and slice the knife underneath his Adam’s apple.

He shrieks, but it ends with a choking gasp. “I-I won’t tell you anything. All confessions are given in confidence. I won’t break my vows.”

“All confessions except for mine, right? Fine, suit yourself.” I drag the blade slowly along his neck, giving him time to reconsider.

“Wait!! Wait! G-God wouldn’t want me to die like this, so, um, ask your question.”

I roll my eyes but ease up on the blade. “I need a name. Years ago, I told you about the man that came to my room. He was a judge. What was his name?”

“Th-the judge…” I hold the knife very still and let the quiet graveyard tell him how alone he is. “I’m not sure—”

“Liar.” I tighten my grip on his vestments, and he slaps his hands on the ground before finally sputtering the name.

“R-Richard! H-his name is Richard Blunt!”

“Good. You answered correctly.”

“Y-you knew it, already?”

“Of course, I knew. You tried to make me think I was crazy, but you failed. You could have saved me, but you kept your stupid oath to save the devil instead. I might not remember everything, but I’ve learned everything I need to know, including the names of everyone who deserves damnation. You happen to be the seventh.”

“Y-you must forgive, child! Forgive me and those who wronged you, and you too will be forgiven. You will be blessed from this if you remember that everything that happens is God’s will.”

I shake my head. “Your sins against me are too much to forgive.”

“Sins againstyou?” Anger suddenly reddens his pale skin. “You’ll go to hell for this, you know. God will never forgive you—”

“I don’t need forgiveness, Father. I need justice.”

I slice my blade across his neck, spilling the rest of his threat into the dirt. His life leaves him in gurgling spurts out of the cut that nearly split his head from his body. I drop him and his head rebounds off the ground with a satisfying thud.

“Forgive yourself, Father, for you have sinned.”

Scene 24

THOUGH THIS BE MADNESS

Sever

I’m stunned, stone-still in shock, as I admire myvipera’sgruesome murder. I’d be impressed by her methods if I wasn’t so fucking confused.

Why Father Lucas? Why anyone, for that matter? I wasn’t able to get close enough to hear anything they said, but if her issues are with Claudio, why is she going after the men underneath him? I’m sure there’s a reason behind the madness, this was obviously no spur-of-the-moment kill, but I’m still at a loss.

Whatever it is, he won’t be missed. Everyone in the Luciano-Vincelli family knows this “man of God” is about as corrupt as they come. Hell, I found myself glancing around the graveyard and through the church windows to make sure Tallie wasn’t spotted as she took him out. Even the Catholic Church has been trying to get him to quietly retire for years. But why would he when Claudio gives the man everything he could ever desire? All the priest has to do in return is report any damning confessions to Claudio.

I continue to watch in silence as she staggers off of her prey. The greatest miracle in this cemetery right now is that it looks as if she didn’t get a drop of blood on her. Her decision to attack him from behind was a wise one, and it’s clear someone trained her how to take down an opponent.

A spark of jealousy ignites at the realization that she might’ve trusted someone else with her secrets. That flare of weakness pisses me off almost as much as the thought itself. She still has me under her spell.