It was time for the ritual hunt. She removed a small chest from under the bed she never slept in and opened it with a gold key. Inside was a wooden rosary representing living wood, its divine might could hold a kindred in stasis, a bottle of clove oil to represent sacred anointing, a chalice for ritual, and red wine to represent The Blood.


She poured the sweet wine into the cup. It was purely for ritual. She opened the bottle of clove oils and placed a few drops on her thumb and raised her hand and glistening digit to anoint her forehead with a cross. “May my head be clear for the hunt.” She whispered softly. And then added more oil and did the same gesture over her breasts where her heart lay in atrophy. “May I feel no mercy for the sacred lamb that strengthens me.” She then lifted the cup and allowed the sweet wine to fill her mouth, and then she spit it out. “Let me spit out that which will poison me or not sustain me. Let the blood of the lamb fill me as I am the true chalice.”


She set the chalice down, and took up the rosary, and wrapped the beads for prayer around her hand and began her prayers. She whispered feverishly and softly. Every single bead was gently pressed between her thumb and forefinger against her head, and then her heart over and over until her prayers were complete. She put away the baubles into their box and locked it and placed it back under her bed. She showered and got dressed for the hunt.


Later…


Adeline had had a lovely time listening to a pre-production practice of an orchestra. She was with an important client and was on her best behavior. The night waxed and waned but what kept drawing Adeline's attention was to a particular violin player. He was conventionally handsome and utterly terrible. He kept mangling the notes, and a few times she winced. It wasn't often Adeline found an opportunity to perform a public service, but the longer this night wore on, her determination solidified.

She chatting him up during the mixer, making a deliberate beeline for him. She would make sure he was to sick for the full performance the next night. Asshole. She went home with him and the only thing he thought he got was premature ejaculation. Adeline was happy to decline his number...

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