Chapter 27

ARCHER WARNING: “Guess who’s been a bad sinnerrrr~opening a blasphemous booook 🎵… it’s not too late to confess and repent now. But do it on your knees, ne~”

I’m tired of loving somebody that’s not mine
—Shameless

THEIR POINT OF VIEW
The next day,

Glass came into class tired and lazy, sitting on Redd’s lap and laying half his body on the big man’s desk for another nap. He yawned, “Good morning, Redd… you woke up early, you weren’t in bed.”

Redd did not get a wink of sleep. And he is especially alert when Evie came inside the room. But this time, Glass sat on his own seat instead of Redd’s lap or attached to Evie. That is because the Monsignor followed shortly before Pryce proceeded to his seat.

“Good morning, Monsignor,” the older vampires said in unison while Redd just stayed quiet.

“Good morning,” the man looked at Redd with a gentle smile as if reassuring him he is no longer in trouble. “The alumnis gave me very nice reports yesterday, you must’ve done well. Father Elio said Glass was improving fast while Father Archer…. Hmm, where is Jude Creston?”

“Stooop, I mean it! EIII! Leo no, bad kitty—!” Jude was running into the classroom seemingly being chased by Leo, but the latter only crashed against Jude’s frozen body the minute he realized who was in the front.

“You’ve done it now,” says Salve, casually walking inside to sit on Jude’s seat.

Evie scowled at them, Pryce is holding down a laugh while Glass and Leo looked worried. Jude decided to break the awkward tension with, “A-ahh… what’s up?”

Salve glared at him, “Seriously? Don’t make me pretend I don’t know you, Jude.”

As if you have that privilege!

“Good morning as well, Fr Jude. Fr Leo.” The amused Monsignor gestured for them to take a seat, and they awkwardly did. “Archer gave me reports yesterday praising your performance with the Sheltering. You are blessed to have such a power, Fr Jude, but with it comes horrible consequences if you do not know how to control it. Continue with your lessons, yes?”

“Yes sir,” Glass replied while Jude mumbles the same thing.

“To be completely transparent with you, Jude Creston… I was hoping you wouldn’t become a vampire,” the Monsignor confessed, shocking everyone and especially Jude. “All these in the room right now have sinned one way or another. The Ten Commandments, they have violated. All except you, who I saw of great purity.”

Jude’s shock turned into disbelief, and he caught everyone’s attention when he scoffed at the Monsignor’s words. “Me? Pure? I… I’m a big f*cking sinner, even I know of that.”

“Did you worship anyone other than Her? Did you blame Her for your suffering? Did you fail to pray whenever you’re in doubt? Did you curse your parents, kill anyone? Did you steal, did you—”

“But I lied! I coveted someone’s lover!” Jude suddenly stood up to outright refuse the Monsignor calling him pure. He yelled out, “I lied about a lot of stuff, and I coveted Glass, and I caused the death of my lover!”

The room went silent. Redd could only look down because he did the same; and Evie is holding a pencil so tight he’s about to snap it. Pryce felt less amused now; because what Jude said came from the aching heart.

The Monsignor only bowed to him, “Confess your sins, and it will all be forgiven. But you only sinned after you’ve become a Vampire, Jude. Before that, you were innocent.”

Jude shakes his head, “I’m not… you don’t understand—”

“I may not,” the Monsignor said, before his hand gestured towards the statue behind him. “But She does.” Your name was the only thing Lucien remembered among 234 applicants. The Lady wanted you to be here.

“What?” Jude gasped, suddenly hearing the Monsignor’s voice although his mouth did not move. “How many… what?”

Salve cleared his throat, before Jude realized what he just said. So he sat back down, “Forgive me for the outburst, Monsignor. It won’t happen again… I won’t doubt the Lady’s decision.”

“Indeed… we are merely animals living in a world She created. She created you, She created the parents that made you, and She created Fate. Even I couldn’t go against that.”

Jude looked at Redd with a worried expression. Meanwhile, Salve realized, “Did you just read the Monsignor’s mind earlier?”

The Monsignor commanded, “Let’s open the books to Leviticus. I shall tell you the purpose and reason of the Great Flood.”

After class, Pryce left with the Monsignor and everyone got up to take a much needed break after hearing Evie preach about how some murder can be justified, therefore it’s not the biggest sin. He managed to consume 2 hours just for that debate.

“”I gotta make Lucien his lunch…” Leo rubbed Jude’s hair until it softened to a loving caress. “Behave, okay?”

“Said the one who kept biting his neck,” Salve grumbled bitterly, making Judd feel insecure about the marks on his neck. He used his hair to cover it, watching Leo exit the classroom.

” ‘You having lunch, Redd?” Glass asked the man, who forced a smile at him.

“I’m not hungry, G. You guys enjoy,” Redd said fore Glass gave him a kiss on the lips. Evie waited for him by the door and snaked an arm around Glass’ waist to leave together.

Jude immediately rushed to Redd’s side, “Hey! Something happened earlier, you won’t believe it!”

“Mmm, I believe somethin’ sure did,” Redd scanned his neck judgmentally.

“No, not that!” Jude covers his neck again and whispers, “My Echoing! I heard the Monsignor’s mind…”

“You read the Monsignor’s mind?” Redd thought deeply, “You’re doing sh*t Pryce can’t even do yet. He can’t read minds, but you can. Sh*t Jude, I’m a lil’ scared of you now. What did you even hear in the Monsignor’s head?”

Pryce can’t mind read… but I can?

“He said…” Jude tried to recall, but when he did it confuses him more. “Something about Lucien remembering my name. I think it was about choosing who comes here. Redd… what if Lucien chose me to be here?”

Salve said what he cannot say out loud, “And by extension, God chose you.” Now both of them are wondering why. Why give Jude Creston two powers?

“I don’t know much about Lucy… but he’s definitely more than just an image of innocence,” Redd concluded, “Maybe he chose you because you’re special. A weird vampire with two powers…”

“I’m not weird.”

“You’re being possessive of Leo while also liking Glass who looks like your dead lover, you’re weird as hell,” Redd calls out, arranging his books.

“HAHAHAHA! I love this guy, can we keep him?!” Salve ends up laughing right beside him, much to the betrayal on Jude’s face.

Jude scowls at Redd as the man said, “Should I tell Glass about Evie’s secret affair with Archer? Maybe sooner… or never…”

“So they’re not allowed secret affairs? I think you should tell him,” Jude answered the question. Redd looks up at him with wide eyes, his mouth parting open unhappily.

“I didn’t say anything…” Redd stood up, towering over Jude with his giant frame. “Control your sh*t, I don’t want you in my head.”

“I-I didn’t mean it! I’m sorry, I just heard!”

Redd took a deep breath, reminding himself that Jude didn’t mean to intrude on his privacy. “Don’t say anything about it. Especially to Glass.”

“Why?” As Redd was about to leave, Jude blocked his path. “You’re the closest to him, second to Evie. So if his boyfriend is f*cking someone behind his back, it’s your duty as a friend to tell him—!”

“I’m not his friend, I’m his pet!” Redd cuts him off, unbuttoning his top buttons to once again show Jude the massive scar on his torso. “See this? It’s a permanent collar. I do nothing but serve him, that’s what I do.”

“If you’re so loyal to him, then tell Glass—”

“I can’t! I—can’t… hurt Glass,” Redd stopped himself from yelling because he doesn’t want to scare Jude with his size and voice. “Last time Glass found out about Pryce and Evie f*cking each other behind his back, he almost destroyed the convent, that’s when he was almost imprisoned by the Vatican because his powers are unstable. If we tell him, we will endanger him and they’ll take him away!”

Jude looks up at him, watching Redd’s desperation to keep Glass oblivious and safe rather than give him the truth. This man loves Glass to the moon and sun, Jude can’t fault him for that.

So he softly threatens the newborn, “This stays between us.”

“Fine. I’m sorry, I… I didn’t mean to look into your head. I can’t control this very well and the fact I can’t have a mentor for the Echoing…”

Redd places a hand on his shoulder, squeezing to reassure Jude that he’s not alone. Redd knows that feeling; to be a newborn with no one to trust, no one to confide in. Lucien who became his one friend, was taken away from him. It almost drove Redd mad, but his unrequited feelings for Glass made him stay. He can’t leave Jude alone.

“Come with me,” Redd takes Jude by the hand and decides to bring him to his clinic, just so they can have privacy. Salve was following behind, suggestively nudging Jude who then flipped him off.

Redd sat Jude on one of the beds and the medic sat on the bed next to it. “What if we were the ones to decide what you can see or hear? I thought maybe deep down, I wanted to tell someone about the affair but couldn’t… I guess my frustrations led to you hearing it.”

“Are you gonna be my mentor for the Echoing?”

“You don’t have a choice. The only other person that knows about your two powers, is currently unstable.” Redd takes Jude’s hand, intimidating the latter because of size difference, but the big man just placed it against his chest. “I want you to hear what’s in my head or see what’s in my memories. I’m focusing on what happened with Pryce and Evie. Try to look at it… and see what happened.”

Jude breathed out, hands planted against Redd’s scarred chest, but nothing flashed in his head.

“I can’t,” Jude sighed, pulling his hand away.

Redd fully takes off his shirt, inviting Jude to touch anywhere. “Try harder, J. I want you to know, too.”

Evie and Pryce, Evie and Pryce… Jude even closed his eyes, hands tracing the scar to see if he can see something. Redd’s eyes were planted on him, watching him focus until those soft eyes looked back. “Sorry, I… I couldn’t—”

“Can I kiss you?” He suddenly asked while Salve had the biggest smile beside him.

“Wh-what—?” Jude exclaimed in shock, “Why kiss me, d-don’t you love Glass?”

“A kiss is a kiss, s*x is just s*x… who the heart belongs to is a whole different story,” Redd tilts his head at the wide-eyed Jude, “Come on, it might help… or do I look too ugly?”

“No…” Jude answered. Redd looks intimidating, scary, one might run away from him but what he is not is ugly. This man has a strong brow bone that makes his foxy eyes look like he’s always hunting for prey. His strong, masculine nose also has a bump that Glass loves to ride. And when he smiles, it carves the contours of his cheek like a model.

“A kiss is more intimate than a touch. Maybe it activates your powers if you feel closer to me…” Redd leans in, making Jude stall his breath. But the man didn’t go further, he’s waiting for Jude to consent…

and he did, closing the gap between them. Flashes went on in his head, but he can’t quite see anything yet. He touched Redd’s neck to pull him closer, hoping his hand reveals more. The flashes went brighter, blinding him even though his eyes are closed during the kiss.

“Lucy and I did nothing wrong! He was my friend—!”

At the Monsignor’s signal, Evie squeezed the air, activating the symbol on Redd’s chest and crushing his ribs against his lungs. The man screamed, all the while Glass huddled up in the corner trying to cover his ears.

“…” Glass mumbled something only Redd can hear, but Jude can’t recall.

The Monsignor questioned, “We try to be patient with our newborn; your anger and thirst will be at its highest at this stage. That is why you need to stay away from Lucien… he will be your friend one second, and your meal the next. Do we understand?”

“I…” Redd breathed heavily, but each time he exhales his voice vibrates and he looks like a tied up beast kneeling on the floor. “I… do not… want to eat Lucy!”

“Very good… it is not a guarantee though. Will you be staying away from Lucien, Redd? Can you do that?”—says the Monsignor.

“I HOPE SATAN SKULLF*CKS YOU. F*ck you and your ritua—AHHHHH!” Once again, Evie activated his powers to stab all of Redd’s ribs against his lungs and putting pressure on his heart. He started to abnormally bleed and had to vomit put excess blood.

The smell of his blood finally made Glass speak out, “STOP IT! STOP HURTING HIM YOU’RE HURTING HIM!”

His mere screams made the church furniture float, ever so slowly as if gravity deactivated, before they all slam against the ground hard, breaking the church chairs.

“Control yourself, my love…” Evie softly scolds. “You look ugly when you’re mad.”

Glass finally uncovered his ears and shattered the stained glass windows, deliberately breaking them into sharp stalactite pieces. He held his hand out and had the stained glass point their sharp tips against all of them. “I can perfectly control my sh*t, Evie. Let. Go. Of. Him.”

Evie dared him, “You wouldn’t—”

But one shard of glass flew towards Glass’ hands and everything is now pointed towards him, their controller. “I would.”

And Glass will, they won’t doubt about that.Vampires don’t die unless it’s starvation, but it would take months to recover from deathly injuries. Evie would lose Glass for a few months.

So Evie opened his hands and surrendered his control over Redd, with that being the last thing the newborn remembers.

But it wasn’t the last time he was tortured as punishment. Pryce tortured him, too… then he got imprisoned and starved for weeks. Anything to make him submit to the rules. All I could hear was my own screams of agony—

Jude gasped, feeling the fear and heartbreak in Redd’s heart that day that he had to stop the vision. It was too chaotic, too painful.

“Jude?” Redd held him gently by the neck, his thumb caressing the scared newborn’s jaw. “What did you see?”

“Y-you… getting tortured to hell and back. Multiple times… b-by Pryce, Evie… Redd, I… I’m sorry…” he sobs out.

Redd’s face shifted into confusion. “I didn’t… want you to see that…”

Tears start to run down Jude’s eyes until he sobbed, “It hurts… whenever I get inside your head, I feel what you feel. It hurts, Redd! They hurt you so bad…”

So going through memories include the pain, too. Redd feels ashamed that Jude saw that side of him. He took the boy by his nape and stuck their foreheads together, making it look like they have nothing but themselves.

“Shhh… don’t cry. That’s all in the past,” Redd held his arm and caressed his skin with a soft thumb. “That don’t matter now. I’m happy you know my pain. It means you’ understand more than the others ever will. And you ‘gon understand the others better than anyone will. You are severely gifted, Jude, and you can use it to help. The pain of the past don’t matter…”

Jude looks at his mentor, even spotting the long but straight lashes of the medic. “But I’m scared to feel everyone’s pain.”

“Unfortunately, we all suffer from our powers. Pryce gets horrible strains when using his Echoing… Leo gets severe headaches because of his Withholding. Glass has to take drugs to keep his Sheltering in check. Evie doesn’t use his Restraining very much because he can somewhat feel what he is doing to the body. I heard that Archer’s metal fingernails were a result of his Puppeteering, melting his fingers away at every use. That’s why we’re students, Jude. We study until we can learn to control our powers, and hopefully stop the pain that comes with it.”

Jude looks deep in those dark eyes, believing every word that he says. Each power has a side effect, and unfortunately this is Jude’s. And so, he took a deep breath and tried again, this time leaning in to kiss Redd.

All of your pain, young Redd… I accept all of it. Hopefully, you’ll share it with me so you’ll hurt less.

This time, my heart seemed to get crushed—not by Evie, but because of Glass pounding his fists against Redd’s door until the big man opened it up.

“REDD!” A distressed Glass cried against his chest, “I—it’s Evie… w-we had a fight because I bathed in the lake with Leo. B-b-but today I caught him and Pryce together in the classroom! WHY DO I GET PUNISHED BUT NOT HIM?!”

All of the glass cabinets and paraphernalia shattered upon his raging voice. Redd had to embrace him tightly and whisper, “Shhh… shh, Glass. C-come on… you’re not supposed to skip meds. Here… I have a special injection for you.”

“I DON’T WANT THAT, I WANT EVIE! TELL HIM—” Redd had already injected a sedative into him. “T—tell… him… that I… I…”

Glass fell asleep on Redd’s arms, and the big man refused to let go now because he could only ever get a hug when Glass is trying to seek comfort from his boyfriend’s antics. Deep in his heart he’s hoping they would break up and he can have a life with Glass.

But he can’t watch him always get hurt. So he confronted Evie and Pryce, speaking together inside the church. They were giggling and laughing as if Glass wasn’t sedated and forced to sleep because of what they did.

“Redd! Come join us—well, we just fed so… sit back and watch, I guess…” Evie shrugged, and Pryce knowingly smirked at him.

Redd made the sign of the cross to honor the Lady in front of him, before turning to Evie to say, “You done f*cked without him, E. Isn’t that against the rules of your relationship?”

Evie lit a cigarette right in front of the Lady as he answered, “So it only matters if it’s Pryce and I? Not him and Leo?”

“They were just bathing together—”

“And that’s my boyfriend Leo is bathing with!” Evie exhaled a smoke, “All three of you are nothing but studs to us. You can’t understand our relationship, and you never will, newborn. I suggest you leave the adult vampires to their business—”

“It’s you that can’t understand your relationship, E. Glass was severely hurt watching you f*ck Pryce by yourself, while only your ego got bruised when you saw Leo and Glass by the lake.” Redd bows to the Lady of Carnations before turning to leave, “If you won’t take care of him, someone else will.”

Evie looks a bit threatened, but dismissed it with a scoff, “Like who, you?! That’s your job, pet! Just remember you’re only here because Glass failed to make vampire pets out of animals. What does that make you, huh?”

But Redd didn’t completely disappear from the church. He overheard Evie and Pryce talking about Glass, so he had to listen.

“So you’re only f*cking me to get Glass jealous?” Asked Pryce.

“Of course, he should know the consequence of f*cking around solo with Leo. I’ll do the same with you…”

“You’re conniving, Eve. But you really shouldn’t piss off a Vampire with the Sheltering. Maybe if you f*ck him, he’d feel better—”

“I will never f*ck Glass,” said Evie, making Pryce and Redd stay silent to anticipate more of his words.

“Why? I thought you love him?”

“I f*cking do, I just don’t want to f*ck him,” Evie finished his cigarette and took out another one, lighting it. “Not just because I prefer receiving… I can f*ck women, and beautiful boys like Glass won’t be spared. But I see everyone I f*ck as nothing but a doll to release my pleasure… even you, Pryce. You and everyone I screw are nothing but disposable f*ck dolls to me.”

“And Glass?”

“He’s not like that,” Evie’s voice lowered, “He is not disposable… Glass is the love of my life. And I fear if I f*ck him like I do to you or the others, he’ll feel less special. He’ll just feel like everyone else to me. So no, Pryce… I can’t f*ck my lover—”

The door to the clinic opened, and Redd had to stop kissing Jude because Leo is at the door about to request for a headache pill again, only for his headache to disappear after Jude kiss a half-naked Redd.

⭐️VOTE | 💬COMMENT | ⚠️POLL
what do we think of secondary main character Redd so far?