"Abel," his earpiece whispered and crackled next to his bed. He hoped it was just his sleepy head playing tricks on him.
"Abel, are you there? Please respond."
Nope, no such luck. He reached out a hand from beneath the warm pocket of blankets over his head and put the piece to his ear.
"Yes, Cardina-" he yawned, "-al."
"Please come to my office right away."
Abel groaned. He wanted to say no and roll over but something about the tone in her voice made him wonder what the matter was. Still, the thought of finally getting a good night's rest taken away from him again plagued him. "I'm on my way."
He begrudgingly pushed the blankets off, cringing as the cool air hit his bare chest. He slipped his cassock over his head and fumbled to get his boots on. He left his jacket and Lilith's cross on the hanger.
As he walked down the hallway, he paused at Esther's door. He listened for a moment, until he could discern the sound of her soft breathing, and then continued down the hallway.
"Abel, please sit down," said Caterina looking up at him and putting down a file of papers in front of her.
Abel sat down, rubbed some of the sleep from his eye, and tried to refrain from saying anything about being woken up in the middle of the night. With sufficient senses and peripheral vision it suddenly hit him.
"Where is father Tres? I didn't see him even in the corridor. You shouldn't be unaccompanied."
"Father Tres is currently patrolling the grounds. I sent him away because… well I deemed it appropriate to inform you first."
Abel straightened in his chair, watching as Caterina slid the same file she'd been reading towards him.
"As you know, when her majesty Brigitte II of Albion passed away there had been much clamor over who would take the throne in her succession."
"Yes, but hadn't they concluded that Colonel Spencer was the only heir left? Her late mother was the wife of crown prince Gilbert."
"Correct. Unfortunately there have been some problems with Spencer's rule that have not been easily kept below the public's radar. News reports now claim that Mary is an illegitimate child, conceived before prince Gilbert had married. We knew this to be true but with such dire need for a new rule, they allowed her to take the throne. Also, Albion's underground continues to spawn hostile factions citing that the Queen is holding them by force. Rather than their citizens all living together in peace, as had been falsely observed during Brigitte's reign, they claim they are being oppressed and there is now talk of another insurgence."
"I see, but what does this-"
"All of this pales in comparison…"
"Comparison to what?" Abel had reached the end of the file, he curiously looked for a page that he had missed, but there was none.
"To this," Caterina slid forward another file. Abel's stomach turned, what could be worse than another rebellion? He picked up the file and opened the cover. Caterina glanced down and away dejectedly.
"W-what?" Abel's brow furrowed in confusion and worry; he read through it again just to confirm his fears. "Caterina this can't be true!" Abel stood and fiercely planted the files on the desk with both hands.
"But it is true, Abel. Sister Kate confirmed this with information from Sister Esther's last physical report contrasted with Brigitte's prophesies. Esther bears a star-shaped birthmark on her side; she is the 'Star of Hope' and Albion's only true successor. "
"Then what… what's going to happen now? Esther…"
"Esther does not even know who her real father was and you are not to tell her." Caterina raised a finger, not pointing, but scolding.
"Don't you think it would be best if she were… I mean since Queen Mary is in such a dilemma. Don't you believe that Esther can lead Albion to peace?"
"I do, but it isn't yet that time." Caterina folded her hands.
Abel glared at her with a half angry and half sorrowful look, although he wasn't sure why it was sorrow.
Abel had tried to sleep again for the remaining hours of darkness, but could only toss and turn. What was Caterina's ultimate plan for keeping Esther from becoming Queen? What would happen when that time actually came?
He roamed the hallways and corridors aimlessly, thinking of all possibilities of all mistakes that could be made. He almost couldn't stand the thought of having to keep this secret from her. How could he continue on missions with her, putting her in danger? Lilith's cross swayed in front of him, the chain hit his belt buckle as he stopped. Unknowingly he'd walked in a complete circle back to the dormitory halls. He held Lilith's cross in his hand so it would not jangle as he leaned towards his door.
"I will protect all humans," he quietly said to himself, placing his free hand on the door.
"Father Nightroad?" Abel snapped out of his quiet slump and turned to find the voice that had spoke his name.
"Oh, good morning Miss Esther! I didn't see you there!" A genuine smile spread across his face.
"Are you on your way to breakfast?" Abel's stomach growled rather loudly, "I suppose that's a yes?" Esther smiled.
"But of course! Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! One just won't have enough energy to put misbehaving vampires in their place without a good hearty meal!" They turned to walk down the hallway together.
Abel, Tres, and Esther stood before Caterina, sitting at her desk. Tres's gaze stayed forward and still just to the left of Caterina. Esther stood tall, with her hands folded in front of her. Abel pushed his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose as Caterina started to speak.
"Salvatore Degenoa. He's killed more than 30 people in two separate attacks here in Rome. We believe that he is trying to target smaller churches and loyal factions here in Rome but there hasn't been enough of a trace to make any conclusions about who he's working for."
Abel stepped forward and picked up the file in front of him, he quickly scanned the local map and nodded gently.
"This says that Degenoa is a water spirit?" Abel put the file back down, confused.
"Correct, he's been using elemental powers in his attacks. It has been described as the 'Noose of Neptune'. I want you to gather intelligence on Degenoa and find out if there is an ulterior motive, possibly someone funding him or another group he may be a part of."
"Positive," Tres said in his monotone echo, "Preparations will be made immediately."
All turned to leave.
"Sister Esther," Caterina said softly.
Esther turned around as she heard the door close behind her.
"I wanted to ask you personally if the title of Saint offends you." Caterina stood and came around from behind her desk to face Esther.
"Saint…" Esther mused for a moment, biting her lip.
"You seemed upset upon hearing that title at the opera in Istvan, I wondered why."
"It's not that I take offence to it your eminence, it's just that I feel that I haven't really done anything that merits that honor. There have been so many good people before me…" tears reached Esther's eyes as the image of Bishop Laura crossed her thoughts.
"There is more to you than meets the eye, Esther Blanchett." Caterina bowed her head and smiled. "The road is long; you need only worry yourself with what lies ahead of you and remember that you are not alone."
"Yes my lady," Esther swallowed her tears and stood tall. "Thank you."
Esther managed a weak smile and excused herself, quietly sighing relief as she closed the door.
"Wahh!"
"Oh, Miss Esther, I'm sorry. Are you alright? I just—"Abel glanced away for a moment.
Esther regained her sense of self and looked up at him, she never noticed how much taller than her he really was. "Father Nightroad?"
"I just want you to know… that I will do everything in my power to protect you. I…" he put his hand on her cheek, "I care about you, Esther, and I don't want to see you get hurt. I won't stand for it." He smiled as he saw her cheeks light up in faint rose color.
"I don't know what to say-"Esther couldn't speak anyway, the touch of his hand even with a glove, was so warm and close. Time slowed down, and she could hear his steady breath.
Abel took her in his arms, wrapping himself around her, and slowly slipped a small tracking device under her collar. Although this embrace had originally been a ploy to plant this device, he couldn't help but pause another minute to truly feel her against him.
"Father I can… feel your heart." It was pulsing quickly, loudly, and so was hers.
Abel forced himself to pull away, a wide smile still on his face. "Tres and I will make ready to leave within the hour."
Esther nodded slowly, in shock, and felt her feet moving her down the hallway away from Abel although she felt her spirit was still there with him in their embrace; standing there shyly, as adorable and gorgeous as ever, was Abel Nightroad looking back at her.
"Father Nightroad, has the device been planted successfully?"
"Gah! Tres don't sneak up on me like that!" Abel clutched his chest, as if his heart wasn't beating fast enough already.
"My apologies. Please respond."
"Yes, shh! Not so loud!" Abel looked back down the hallway but Esther was gone. "What's the reading?"
"Positive. Sister Esther Blanchett is 15.2 meters ahead of our current location."
"Good." Abel stared down the hallway still, 'Now… I will never lose track of you.'