Chapter 8

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Duncan went to talk with Vlad, maybe he was willing to help him. They had fought together in the October Revolution, back when Duncan thought there might actually be a communist utopia. But like so many other leaders with great ideals, in the end they fell into violent paranoia and betrayed their ideals. Vlad had always been more interested in revenge against the tsar's forces. Still, he was the only member of this cult that Duncan even half-trusted. They met in a local church, holy ground was suppossed to be safe for both of them.

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Vlad: Hello Duncan, it's good to see you again.

Duncan: Just to be clear, this is a temporary truce. When this is over, we will fight.

Vlad: Understood. What do you know about these watchers?

Duncan: The watchers themselves embrace a policy of non-intervention, but there are a few rogues. James Horton, tried to exterminate all of us. Horton is dead, but some are apparently following his ideas.

Vlad: And how did you know that Horton's followers are the rogues? Maybe Joe Dawson is just deluding himself about who he really works for.

Duncan: I don't recall mentioning Joe Dawson's name.

Vlad: No, you didn't. That's my fault. Tell me, old friend, did you ever hear of Church of the intercession of the holy virgin?

Duncan: Yeah, it was a church in Russia, destroyed by the bolsheviks after the October Revolution.

Vlad: Yes. Somehow or other I came under suspicion. They asked me to help demolish that church. I was frightened, but in the end I destroyed it.

Duncan: You desecrated holy ground? What happened?

Vlad: Nothing. This rule about not being allowed to kill on holy ground is a myth. It's just another rule that the evil one wishes us to destroy, to prove our worthiness. We did kill on holy ground, and moved their bodies outside. Part of Jacob's plan.

Duncan: Lure immortals to where they think they're safe, and then kill them?

Vlad: Yes. That was the plan, but I slipped about Joe Dawson. Still, I will destroy you here.

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Duncan and Vlad fought. Duncan quickly gained the upper hand, but still hesitated to kill on holy ground. But in the end, Duncan killed Vlad, and took his quickening. It seemed that Vlad was right about one thing, despite killing on holy ground, nothing happened. Duncan knew that his friends were in danger, they were about to walk into a trap. He had to warn them before it was too late.