The towering, magnificent Westminster Abbey looked even more majestic in the dusk, but the long shadows cast by the gaze of the setting sun resembled swords plunged into the earth, especially sharp and savage.
This was no longer a sacred place. It had become the base from which evil vampires invaded London. Blood and grime stained the grand, holy colonnades, and when leather shoes stepped onto the long carpet, a trace of filth clung to their sides.
Cain frowned slightly. With a wave of his hand, an energy-born breeze swept across the carpet, making the dirt vanish in an instant. Yet his expression did not ease; his brow furrowed even deeper.
Still, he followed the carpet to its end. There was a private prayer room for receiving distinguished guests, and when Cain stood at the door and looked through the viewing window, he saw a black-haired youth reclining in a chair, fast asleep.
Cain's expression finally softened somewhat. He pushed the door open and walked in. The youth trembled all over like a startled lamb, but he quickly pretended to be calm, raised a clenched fist to his mouth, coughed twice, and looked at Cain. "Y-you, why didn't you knock?"
"I merely came to check on your condition." Cain stood by the door, adjusting the cufflink on his wrist.
"I'm fine."
"Then you are prepared for the Embrace ritual."
"This needs preparation? Wait, you still haven't told me what this ritual actually does..." Bruce wore a bewildered expression.
Cain merely sneered. "You didn't think you could become my descendant just by chanting a few spells, did you? The Embrace ritual is considered cruel even among all the rituals in the magical world. If you wish to obtain my power, the process is destined to be a long one."
"So what