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Similarly to when I trained with Arrow, my training with Father Marius usually involved me getting obliterated. The only real difference was that my defeat was served with a gentle smile.
* * *
That night,as I stood in the main sanctuary of the Abbey feeling very much like I was in a dream, I found myself searching the faces of the crowd gathered in the pews for any sign of Castor. He wasn't really the type to give pep talks, but I had still found myself hoping I would be able to catch up with him before the ceremony began.
I had traded my formal initiate uniform for the robes of a young acolyte, which weren't unlike the formal robes I had seen Castor wear before on various occasions. Of course, he looked a hell of a lot better in them than I did.
As I studied my reflection in the mirror, I felt more ridiculous than anything. The robes brushed the ground at my feet, blood-red silk with an ornate silver cross stitched onto the front. The white cord tied around my waist probably represented something, considering most aspects of ceremony in the Abbey did, but I had no idea what.
I kept tugging at the white priest’s collar around my neck because it felt like it didn't belong, especially since it was on top of my silver collar. I assumed that was going to remain in place, even if I was officially a hunter now.
I couldn't say I minded, not when it kept at bay the nature Castor found so distasteful. I knew it had been delusional to think that just because I couldn't shift, he would feel any differently. There was still a part of me that hoped that maybe, if the beast remained dormant for long enough, it would fade away entirely.
Father Marius was standing behind the pulpit, facing the congregation at the head of the sanctuary just in front of the altar. He looked like an angel who’d come down to earth in his bright white robes, his matching hair aglow in the dim light of the candles all around the sanctuary. Several of the acolytes carried large pillar candles on tall silver rods down the aisle between the pews, coming to a stop on either side of the sanctuary at the front.
The patriarch smiled kindly at me as I walked out from behind the curtains blocking off the sanctuary and took my place in front of him, kneeling down on the crimson carpet at his feet. I bowed my head and tried not to think about how dizzy I was.
When I looked up again and saw that Castor was standing a bit further up the altar on Father Marius’s left side, with Arrow at his right, I felt a surge of relief. Castor's face was blank as ever, betraying nothing, but the sight of him was enough to fill me with the strength I needed to get through this night.
It figured this would be what I dreaded. Not the hunt itself, but the night that was intended to celebrate the very achievement I'd been working toward all along.
"My beloved children," Father Marius began, looking around the room. "We are gathered tonight as one family to celebrate and welcome another into the fold. One who has proven himself worthy to stand among our ranks, despite the rather unusual circumstances in which he found us."
I looked back down at my hands, not wanting to see the looks on the others' faces. I knew there were still plenty who didn't think I should be here at all, and I couldn't say I blamed them. What mattered, though, was that Father Marius did, and that was good enough for me. It would have to be. I hoped Castor did, too, but as distant as he had been lately, I couldn’t be sure.
Father Marius drew the blade at his side, the hilt engraved with a silver cross like the one on the front of my robe. I wasn't sure if the cross was merely ornamental or if it served some utilitarian purpose in the enchantment of weapons. It was found on most of the enchanted blades and guns, but also on the ones that weren’t, like mine.
I looked up as Father Marius approached me, unable to help but be slightly unnerved as he rested the blade at his side. "As all children of the flock do, Edmond, you will require guidance. Who among us will agree to shepherd and guide this young hunter?"
My heart raced with confusion until I heard Castor's voice, calm and certain. "I will, Father."
Father Marius nodded. "So be it. Tonight, Father de Leon, I bind you to our brother, Edmond, from this day on and forevermore. His victories shall be counted as yours, and his sins likewise.”
I swallowed hard, but despite the gravity of the promise he had just made, Castor didn't seem remotely bothered. Guess that had to count for something.
"Edmond," Father Marius said, drawing back my attention. "You may now swear your vows before your brethren, as well as before the Divine—and our beloved patroness, Saint Imogen."
No pressure,I thought. "I, Edmond, do solemnly swear my allegiance to the Sanguine Church. I submit myself to her teachings and vow to forsake the world beyond these walls. To give any and all, up to and including my very life, in the service of the Church and her interests."
I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of tremendous relief when I managed to get through the vows I had been rehearsing for days on end without stumbling as I had so many times before, both in private and with an audience. Eventually, Claudia and Baker had both told me I should just call it a day and hope for the best at the ceremony.
Father Marius nodded, raising his blade to rest it on my right shoulder. "Then by my authority as shepherd of this flock, I declare you a hunter in the order of the Sanguine Church. May you always serve her faithfully, and may she grant you sanctuary and eternal solace in return."
He brought the blade to my other shoulder, and I gulped instinctively in response to the sharp object being so close to my throat. His somber expression belied the amusement in his kind eyes, telling me I wasn’t as subtle as I’d hoped. "Welcome, brother."
"Welcome, brother," the other hunters echoed.
I jolted a little, not expecting that. Arrow snickered at me before Father Marius gave him a scolding look.
I felt a surge of relief that it was finally over, and I wasn't entirely sure how or when I had made it to the reception hall with the others.
"Congrats, Eddie," Baker said, the first to greet me as I walked into the room, clapping a burly hand on my shoulder.
“Yeah, I can’t believe you actually remembered your vows,” Claudia said with a mischievous grin. “I lost twenty bucks.”
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence," I said dryly as a few of the others gathered around me. For tonight, it seemed, l wasn’t a pariah. "I still can't believe it's actually happening."
