Excerpt: Shadows of Joy-The Redemption of Bishop Wilmarth

“I’m glad to see you could make it.” he said as he pumped my hand up and down. As he released me, I held out the wine bottle I’d brought with me. He took it and examined the label.

“Black Vaulderie?” he asked.

“Yes. It was a gift from a local pack a couple of years ago. From what I understand they no longer inhabit the area but I still have a few bottles left.”

“Do you know what this is?” he asked.

“From what I understand, it’s the blood of their collective. They all contributed a little to this.”

“It’s more than that. Come,” the Baron said directing me to a similar chair on the other side of the fireplace, “take a seat. Get comfortable. We can talk about these things.” He took his chair again as I sat down on the dusty high chair next to his. While this put my back against the wall so no one could come in behind me, it did put the entire pack between me and all of the exits from the room. I hoped it was just a coincidence. The weight of my Desert Eagle under my trench coat was little comfort given they could probably take me down before I even had time to reach into my coat in an attempt to reach it.

Baron Vildhelm handed the bottle to the woman who had brought me upstairs. “Barb, be a dear and crack this open. We can all share a glass while we talk.” She took the bottle to the kitchen where the clink of glasses spoke of her preparations. “Bishop, you were most honored to get to drink of their Vaulderie. It is a most sacred rite of any Sabbat Pack. It is what ties us together as one.”

“Really. I was told this would not blood bind me to them under the duress of a bone of lies no less.”

“Of course not. It is only effective within the rite of Vaulderie. If it is not done properly under the direction of the pack priest, then it is only a mixture of blood. Ah, but done correctly, it becomes much more than this.”

“I would like to see this sometime if possible.” I said politely.

“And we will be glad to share this and more with you. I think that the majority of the conflicts we have with each other are due to the secrets we keep from each other. I believe that we share more than we know with each other, especially with you.”

A troubling thought occurred to me. “Would Barb be able to open the bottle in here where I can see her?” I asked.