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The next morning, His Holiness of the Order was asking Astrid to meet him personally. He said that he had something to talk about concerning the abomination that she captured who was now safely locked up in their dungeon prison. Astrid sighed softly, straightening her hair as she stood in front of His Holiness’s office. After a moment, she knocked on the door.
“Come in,” His Holiness called as his voice faded inside the room. Astrid was holding the doorknob, took a deep breath, and twisted it. The door opened and she walked into his room. His Holiness was leaning against his chair, answering a phone call. His face was distraught but when the call ended, he smiled.
“Ah, Huntress! Glad that you came on time. Have a seat. Sorry if my office is such a mess,” His Holiness stated when he shifted the papers on his desk. Astrid smiled and took her seat in front of his desk. Then, His Holiness focused his obsidian gaze upon her.
“Is there an emergency, Master? I hope the abomination isn’t doing something in the dungeon last night. You give me the words and I’ll kill it for you,” Astrid replied. She was gripping the armrests and her violet eyes were burning with hatred.
His Holiness chuckled softly as he waved his hand dismissively. “No need to fret, Huntress. All is well. Nothing happened last night,” he stated as Astrid blinked her eyes.
“Oh...”
“However, I do have something in mind for him. That’s why I asked you to come. We ought to discuss what to do with him since the Order captured him. Mind you, Aaron Covaci is a Pure Blood—one of the Originals,” His Holiness stated as he leaned against the chair. Astrid tapped her chin as her violet eyes were looking at him.
“What do you suggest we do with him then, Master? All I could think of was to put a stake through his heart and hope the abomination to die,” Astrid replied. His Holiness chuckled at her answer. He leaned forward and stared at her. Feeling like she was being observed under a microscope, Astrid lowered her lashes.
“No, that would be unnecessary. Besides, I don’t think Aaron Covaci will simply die if you put a stake through his heart. I wonder if you know anything about Craving Virus, Huntress. Has anyone disclosed to you about it?” His Holiness asked.
Astrid furrowed her eyebrows. Craving Virus? What kind of new, lethargic virus is that? She mused before she shook her head. Fortunately, Astrid heard about it simply because Aaron was slipping his tongue when he was alone with her but Astrid forgot when he mentioned it.
His Holiness nodded. “No matter. I will explain it to you then. For your information, Huntress, Craving Virus is the substance that gives Blue Blood their superhuman strength and speed. From it, they also developed night vision that is much clearer than most humans. Hence, I wish to learn their secrets through the Pure Blood that captured,” he elaborated.
Astrid stared at him. She blinked her eyes. “Why would you do so, Master? Is it dangerous to be playing with their genetics? We could get infected if not handled carefully,” she warned.
His Holiness sighed deeply. Then, he walked up to the windows to stare at the hustle and bustle of Transylvania. The locals and tourists alike were busying themselves to survive in this Known World. He stared for a moment outside the window. Afterwards, His Holiness smiled weakly and took his seat again.
“Of course, this experiment was simply for scientific purposes, Huntress. I have no desire to convert myself into the abomination that we’re relentlessly trying to rid of from the Known World,” he replied. Astrid relaxed for a moment.
“No, no. I wish to develop an antidote that we might use against them, Huntress. To do so, we have to get the blood sample from our hostage. However, Aaron Covaci wouldn’t let anyone near him within one meter if I observe correctly,” His Holiness stated.
He sighed before his black eyes were looking at Astrid. She gulped. Then, he smiled. “That is, anyone else but you, Huntress. It would seem that you have gained his trust to be close enough for us to get the blood sample from his jugular veins,” he added.
Astrid stared at the person whom she had been entrusted to follow his every lead. However, at that exact moment, His Holiness’ eyes were holding a newfound coldness inside them. It was as if Astrid was looking at the black hole that was ready to swallow her whole.
It was also not the same eyes that had entrusted her to conduct herself as Huntress of the Order.
Astrid gulped. “What would you do with it? The blood sample, I mean,” she asked for Astrid could not stop herself. Being born and raised in Norway had Astrid developed a sense of boldness and bluntness against anyone—even though it was His Holiness himself.
His Holiness smiled, standing up from his seat, and went to her side. “It’ll be our newest discovery if we could tell the world that the Craving Virus is something that can be cured. Thus, the public doesn’t have to be afraid of the Blue Blood anymore. If anything, we’ll offer the cure for them to be human again,” he whispered his vision into Astrid’s left ear. Then, he patted her shoulder.
“Can you imagine, Huntress? A world without any Blue Blood, Pure Blood, or the Originals to stress about? We will be free. You’ll be free from your duties. I think it’s about time for you to start having your own little family, don’t you think so, Huntress?” His Holiness asked. Astrid blushed when a certain someone came to mind when she thought about starting her little family.
Someone with green, emerald orbs and sable hair.
“If you say so, Master. I’ll try to get the blood from our prisoner. I’m sure he will be cooperating for the greater cause,” Astrid replied when she was staring into His Holiness’ black eyes. They were mysterious yet scary at the same time.
Elevated with the resolution from her, His Holiness smiled as he gripped Astrid’s shoulders. “Now that’s the Huntress that I know. Off you go now. We need to develop the antidote as soon as possible so that our Known World will be a better place for your children later,” he replied as Astrid stepped out of his office and made her way toward the dungeon prison that held Aaron.