Clack!
The last billiard ball rolled smoothly into the corner pocket.
Robert, still dressed in his priest's robe, sunglasses on and a half-finished whiskey in hand, straightened up and grinned. "That's game. Pay up."
The blond man across from him frowned, looking a bit stunned. "You're not... a professional, are you, Father?"
"Me?" Robert looked genuinely offended. "I'm the worst player in our entire church. I'm barely allowed to hold a cue without supervision."
He casually sipped his drink again, swirling the glass like it was sacred wine. "But don't churches do business too? Tithes, donations, collection plates. I'm just playing by the good book."
Seeing Robert look so eager for his cash, Lorna couldn't help rolling her eyes. Whatever this guy claimed about exorcisms, he definitely came here for a good time. She gave the blond man a sidelong glance. "You owe us both."
The man shrugged with an apologetic smile. "I don't have that much on me. But my companions are close by—come with me, and I'll settle the bill."
Lorna's eyebrows creased. That was suspicious.
"You could just call them over," she said, her voice cool.
"They're busy. Look, if you're afraid I'll run, then follow me. I'm not running anywhere."
Robert suddenly reached out and grabbed the guy's arm. "Great. Then let's go. That's two grand and change you owe me—nearly my whole monthly salary, and I don't want it evaporating into smoke."
And just like that, Robert tugged the man out of the lounge without hesitation.
Lorna blinked, then sighed and followed. "Is this guy seriously this money-hungry?"
They exited through the bar's rear door and stepped into a narrow alley lit only by a flickering streetlamp. Garbage bins lined the wall, and the city buzzed faintly beyond.
Lorna hung back and whispered, "I'm telling you, something's off about this guy."
Robert looked puzzled. "Wait, you don't know him?"
"Never seen him before. I heard this place was offering cash for playing pool, so I came to earn a little. That's it."
She caught herself and quickly added, "Anyway, he's shady. If something feels wrong, get out. No point in you getting caught in my mess."
Robert just nodded casually. "Don't worry, I already knew. Guy smells like a rotten soul. Demon for sure."
"You're still going with the demon thing? Really?"
As they turned the corner deeper into the alley, they were suddenly surrounded by silence—and then the sound of slow footsteps.
Two people emerged from the shadows. One man, one woman. Both had sickly pale skin and burning red eyes that locked onto Robert and Lorna like predators. Their hungry smiles glinted under the streetlight.
"Mark," the vampire woman said with suspicion. "What's with the priest?"
"He followed us," the blond man—Mark—replied, smirking. "I figured why not double our fun. Looks like we're getting two meals tonight."
The woman's tongue flicked out between her fangs. "I want to taste the priest first."
Robert's expression didn't change. But he raised an eyebrow behind his dark glasses. "Wow. You're uglier on the inside than I expected."
Mark grinned. "Then that pretty girl is mine."
Without warning, the male vampire launched himself forward with supernatural speed, lunging straight for Lorna.
She reacted on instinct. Her hands glowed green and a metal trash can behind her flew forward, slamming into the vampire mid-air.
CRASH!
He hit the ground hard.
Mark and the vampire woman froze in shock. "She's a mutant?! No wonder the billiard ball curved mid-game. You cheated!"
The vampire woman looked sideways. "Is that really your biggest concern right now?"
Lorna's hands still glowed. She was breathing heavily. "Great. Vampires. Just my luck."
The downed vampire rose from the ground, completely unscathed. "Mutant or not, we'll drain you just the same."
Lorna gritted her teeth, and a manhole cover lifted behind her, spinning as she charged her magnetic powers.
"Stop wasting time," Mark growled, his voice turning colder. He yanked out his contact lenses, revealing blood-red irises. "Take her down. We're still in Dickon Firth's territory—we can't afford attention."
Lorna's nerves were frayed. Three vampires, no backup, and now she was exposed as a mutant. According to the Mutant Registration Act, that alone could get her arrested.
She turned to Robert. "You should go. Seriously. These guys aren't human."
Robert, unfazed, took a long sip of his whiskey.
"Don't worry," he said with a calm smile. "I'm a professional."
"A professional what?"
"Exorcist."
The male vampire snorted. "You? With no cross, no Bible, and no clue? What are you going to exorcise us with? A glare?"
Robert's smile widened. "I prefer something a little more persuasive."
A gun appeared in his hand as if by magic. A subtle shimmer of blue light danced along the barrel. Mana-infused.
BANG!
The vampire's head snapped backward.
A second later, he crumbled into ash.
Everyone stared.
Even Lorna was stunned. "You... actually..."
The two remaining vampires stepped back, disbelief on their faces.
"What was that?" the vampire woman hissed.
Robert twirled the pistol on his finger like a cowboy from a movie. "Mana rounds. Blessed casing. Custom loadout. Bought them from a friend in New Orleans. Turns out, your kind's allergic to my brand of kindness."
Mark snarled, lunging at him with bared fangs.
Robert didn't even blink.
BANG!
Another shot, another vampire turned to dust.
The woman screamed in rage and charged. Robert sighed and tucked away the whiskey.
"Honestly, I was saving this for later."
He drew a small vial from his coat, hurled it at her feet, and the alley erupted in blue flames. The vampire shrieked, clawing at the holy fire now clinging to her body.
She didn't even make it three steps before she burst into ashes.
Robert dusted off his robe. "Exorcism. I told you. I'm a professional."
Lorna stared at him, slack-jawed. "You were serious?"
Robert smiled as he reloaded his gun and picked up his whiskey again. "Dead serious."
----
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