Lambs Without a Shepherd [Claudia]
A wave of resentment started to burn inside her chest, slow and vicious. She was most definitely not meant to feel like that - it was too small of her, utterly mundane. And yet, there it was, eating her from the inside out.
âSo you dare say that everything we were taught was a lie, but my father, from all people, offered you the truth?â Her voice came out slow and cold, chin held high in defiance as her mind ran through the memories of Vincent himself talking about Leonard Wolfâs cruelty towards his own daughter. âI had no idea you trusted him that much.â
Claudia shook her head as she took a step back, hastily; her skirt shuffled, making a sound that evoked the image of an agitated raven.
âDo you actually think you can come here and talk me out of my faith, using Alessaâs name in such a despicable way?â It was more an accusation than a question, the childhood friendship put aside once again. âYou are a liar, Vincent, you have always been. You lied to me and you lied to⊠Heather, and once again you try to use us both.â
The priestess sighed, tired.
âLeave. I am better off alone.â
It seemed that was the burden she would have to carry as long as she lived.
Vincent scowled. "I came to trust his words not his ways, it didn't make him less a monster you know." He paced closer. "I still wanted him dead, but that was because I knew what he was, and I knew what needed to be done." His tail flicked agitatedly. Inevitably he needed Leonard out of the way, he had been turned into a monster, as Vincent now was, and he'd needed the seal.
"I do not lie, Claudia. I have never lied in my life, not to you, not to her. Not to anyone." He bore his teeth with a low growl. "Just as I do not Kill." He leaned in close, face mere inches from hers for a brief moment before he whirled around and paced back, his back once more towards her. "Need I remind you who it was who raised her hand against her oldest friend, who stabbed him not once but twice in the name of her beliefs?" He turned to look at her over his shoulder.
"You killed me because I did not believe in what you believed, you let me die because I saw the truth." The former priest shook his head. "I had hoped you would want redemption for such a grave sin, but I see now that the sin lies rooted deep within you and you cannot possibly save yourself." The boney tail flicked again and he sighed, shaking his head.
"Just remember this, Claudia- God damns, God destroys, but She cannot save, She cannot heal, and She does not know mercy even for her followers. Stand by her side if you wish it, but do not expect anything to come from it, She will turn on you as you turned on me, and she will slaughter you for your loyalty as soon as you are no longer of use to Her."










