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The Blood Queen 40
🕑 Added 2025-03-14 07:02:43 +0000 UTCChapter 40:
– Gabriel –
As an Archangel, Gabriel possessed a mind capable of processing an enormous amount of information simultaneously. Every second, she could hear thousands of prayers, understanding each of them clearly and without effort. But even with her remarkable mind, Gabriel found herself momentarily stunned by the scene unfolding beneath her as she descended gracefully through the massive hole in the floor.
Standing amid the dusty, rubble-strewn catacombs was one of the Church’s most devout exorcists, Father Alexander Anderson. Across from him were Gabriel’s younger sister Puriel, the saintess Asia Argento, and…a vampire?
No, Gabriel quickly corrected herself. Not a full vampire, but a dhampir.
A dhampir whose very presence radiated a surprisingly holy aura. Gabriel’s eyes widened as realization dawned. She sensed clearly what heaven had desperately searched for, for so many centuries—the Sephiroth Graal.
And it resided within this half-vampire girl. The Archangel’s wings fluttered briefly behind her in excitement. The Sacred Gear that had been missing from Heaven’s grasp for over a thousand years had finally been found!
Yet, despite her joy, Gabriel reminded herself that she still needed clarity on what exactly had transpired here.
She glanced around quickly. Wasn’t another angel supposed to have been stationed at the Vatican along with Puriel? She recalled that it was Dubbiel—one of her younger siblings who had always preferred solitude. Gabriel had always tried her best to remember all her siblings, even though millions had existed at one time, their numbers heartbreakingly fewer now.
Before Gabriel could inquire further, Father Anderson stepped forward and knelt reverently, his voice deep and filled with regret. “Archangel Gabriel, forgive me. I’ve failed to protect Saintess Asia Argento from this vile monster.”
Nearby, the dhampir girl scoffed audibly at Anderson’s accusation, earning a quick glare from the exorcist.
Gabriel tilted her head slightly, genuinely puzzled by his words. “Monster? Father Anderson, what evil monster are you speaking of?”
Father Anderson blinked up at her, visibly confused. He motioned aggressively toward the dhampir, frustration clear in his voice. “The evil devil-vampire witch standing before us! Just look at those dark wings behind her—and she openly practices pagan magic!”
“Hey!” The dhampir cut in sharply, folding her arms defiantly. “First of all, so what if I can use magic? And secondly, these wings literally just appeared a minute ago. I haven’t even had a chance to test them yet!”
“And you never will,” Anderson growled dangerously, gripping his bayonets tightly. “Because you’re about to meet your end, demon!”
“Sister Gabriel, please!” Puriel quickly interjected, stepping protectively in front of the dhampir. Her gentle blue eyes gazed pleadingly up at Gabriel. “Valerie has done nothing wrong—well, aside from breaking into the Vatican, admittedly. But she saved my life! Dubbiel betrayed Heaven. He stabbed me and kidnapped Asia, intending to flee with her. Valerie stopped him and protected us both.”
Gabriel’s heart ached deeply at Puriel’s words. Another of her siblings had fallen into darkness. This knowledge always wounded her, no matter how many times it happened. She regarded Puriel softly, sadness in her eyes. “Where is Dubbiel now?”
Puriel hesitated briefly, looking uncomfortable as her gaze shifted toward the large pile of rubble beneath Father Anderson’s feet. “He’s, um…beneath that rubble…dead.”
The dhampir—Valerie, Gabriel noted mentally—stepped forward confidently, meeting Gabriel’s eyes directly. “I killed him,” she said bluntly. “He was an asshole.”
“Language!” Gabriel and Puriel chided simultaneously, their voices blending in perfect harmony.
Valerie rolled her crimson eyes dramatically, exhaling a frustrated sigh.
Anderson threw up his hands, looking thoroughly exasperated. “You see, Lady Gabriel? She’s utterly insolent! Let me put an end to this abomination at once!” He raised his bayonets again, clearly readying himself to strike Valerie down.
“You will do no such thing!” Gabriel commanded sharply, stepping gracefully between Anderson and Valerie. Her twelve wings spread wide, their glowing white feathers immediately silencing the exorcist.
Anderson halted abruptly, confusion clear on his face. “Lady Gabriel?”
Gabriel drew herself up, her voice calm but firm. “From this moment forward, Valerie Tepes shall be recognized by Heaven and the Church as a Saintess—the same as Asia Argento.”
Absolute silence filled the catacomb chamber for several tense seconds.
And then, simultaneously, multiple voices cried out in shock, disbelief, and surprise.
“EEEeeeeeehhhh!?”
Valerie’s mouth dropped open in shock, her eyes widening comically as she stared at Gabriel. “Wait—hold up—what?! A saintess? Me? You’ve gotta be kidding! What is even happening right now…?”
Asia clapped her hands together excitedly, bouncing in place. “Oh, Valerie! Congratulations!”
– Valerie –
I felt awkward and tense as Gabriel led Puriel and me through the Vatican’s winding corridors into a small, private chamber.
Father Anderson had already left with Asia, presumably to ensure she was safe and far from the “devil-vampire witch,” as he’d so kindly labeled me. At least he wasn’t swinging bayonets at my head anymore, thanks to Gabriel’s intervention and her surprising decision to declare me a “saintess.”
No idea why though…
Still, I couldn’t help feeling nervous standing so close to an Archangel. Sure, Father Anderson’s blessed weapons had been useless against me—confirming my theory that my Sacred Gear protected me from holy attacks—but that didn’t mean Gabriel couldn’t kill me in countless other ways if she truly wanted to. The Archangel’s natural aura radiated power in a way I’d only seen with Alucard.
I silently cursed my father for sending me on this wild mission in the first place. The only good thing that had come from it so far was that I felt a lot more powerful and I could now summon a large pair of dark red bat wings at will and (presumably) use them to fly. Oh, and I made a new friend.
Ok, this crazy trip wasn’t actually that bad.
Still, I wished I could crawl back into a warm bed with a beautiful woman (or two), cuddle for hours, and go to sleep…
Gabriel smiled at me, her expression gentle and welcoming. She shut the chamber door behind us, then turned around, folding her twelve wings neatly across her back. “Welcome to the Vatican, Valerie Tepes,” she said softly.
“Um…thanks?” I replied. I glanced at Puriel, who gave me a small smile and a nod, as if encouraging me to speak up. “I, uh…just want to know why you’re not trying to kill me. And why did you suddenly declare me a saintess back there?”
Gabriel’s smile grew a little. “That’s because you possess the Sephiroth Graal, of course.”
I froze, my eyes flicking over to Puriel. I felt betrayed for a second. “You told her?”
Puriel raised both hands defensively. “I didn’t say anything, Valerie! I swear.”
Gabriel took a graceful step closer. “I sensed it myself. Michael and I developed a system that hides Sacred Gears from most beings, but not from us Archangels. We can detect them clearly.”
“Oh. Alright, then,” I said, letting out a small breath. I turned to Puriel, mumbling, “Sorry for doubting you.”
She gave me a reassuring pat on the arm before stepping aside so Gabriel could face me more directly.
“So,” I continued hesitantly, crossing my arms, “that automatically makes me a saintess?”
Gabriel tilted her head. “Should it not? The Holy Grail is our faith’s most renowned object of worship is it not?”
I supposed she had a point.
“...I guess I’m just a bit confused then, since I have ‘three’ Holy Grails inside me. The Blessed Grail, the Healing Grail, and the Resurrection Grail.” I pointed out.
“Really?” Puriel asked.
Gabriel’s eyes widened. She brought her hands together in excitement and let out a small squeal that startled me. “Three Grails?” Gabriel asked eagerly, her eyes shining with curiosity. “That is fascinating, Valerie. I had no idea the Sephiroth Graal had split itself in such a way! This is incredibly important information for Heaven. We have never documented it behaving like this before. I would love to see them, in a bit, if you would let me…?” she asked while stepping very close to me.
Wow, she smelled really nice…
And it was a struggle to hold myself back when the arguably most beautiful woman I’d ever seen was so casually invading my personal space and I was currently very horny and hopped up on Angel blood…
I tightened my thighs slightly, trying to calm the sudden warmth coursing through me. “Of course, you can see them,” I managed to say, forcing a small smile. “No problem.”
Gabriel let out another excited squeal, practically glowing with anticipation. She grabbed my hand, pulling me and Puriel toward a large couch positioned near a small fireplace.
“I’d love to know more about you, Valerie,” Gabriel said, settling down gracefully on one end of the couch. She patted the space next to her, and I hesitantly took a seat. Puriel sat at my other side, folding her two white wings neatly behind her. “How did you come to be here at the Vatican? And how did you come to possess the Sephiroth Graal in the first place?”
Puriel leaned in, clearly just as curious.
I scratched my cheek, glancing between the two angels. “Well, the story’s not super happy at the start. If you’re sure you want to hear it…” I trailed off.
Gabriel nodded firmly. “Yes, please. I want to understand everything.”
Puriel offered me a reassuring smile. “We’re both listening.”
I took a breath and began my tale…
It took a while to get through everything, and I saw both Gabriel’s and Puriel’s wings twitch more than once. Their eyes showed anger and sorrow. By the time I finished most of my life, Gabriel’s serene face was set in a cold fury. “These awful vampires,” Gabriel said, her voice trembling with anger. “They dared hoard the Sephiroth Graal’s wielder for their own twisted gain. If you hadn’t already destroyed that place, I would do it myself!”
My eyes widened. “You’d really do that? Wouldn’t that be some huge supernatural incident?”
Gabriel shrugged gently, her twelve wings shifting with agitation. “No one truly likes the vampire clans, especially those who act in such a cruel manner! I doubt many would object if they vanished.”
Damn, that was hard core…
Puriel nodded in agreement. “They have an even worse reputation than most devils, and that’s saying something! Devils often enslave other races in their peerage system.”
I frowned, recalling the devils I’d met. “I know about peerages because I ran into Sairaorg Bael and his queen Kuisha once, and I also met Sylvana Lucifer a few days later. They were all very cordial…” I decided not to mention certain intimate details with Sylvana’s queen, Grayfia. That was a memory best left unshared for now.
Gabriel sighed, wings relaxing a bit. “Not all devils mistreat their peerages, but it’s a split system at best. About half are decent, half are not.”
Puriel nodded firmly. “And unfortunately, when it comes to vampires, a lot more of them are…how should I put it…”
“Assholes,” I finished bluntly, lips twisting into a wry grin. Yeah, I was well aware.
Both angels turned to me and spoke in unison. “Language!”
I couldn’t help but grin wider. “Right, sorry.”
Gabriel glanced at me with curiosity. “Was your main goal in coming here really to drink angel blood and grow stronger? I have to admit, it’s a little unsettling to hear.”
I cringed. “Yeah. My father sent me on this mission, basically. He said it was ‘necessary for my growth.’ I’m not proud of it, but I won’t lie about it either.”
Gabriel looked troubled for a moment, her wings rustling softly. “Alucard always was…problematic. I’ve met him a few times and he was quite crass and rude as well.”
Yeah, I apologized to her for that. That’s just the way he was although I’d never seen him do anything outright “evil” so I figured he’d definitely got a lot more chill than his legend portrayed him to be hundreds of years ago.
…I noticed Gabriel watching me and Puriel closely. She folded her hands gracefully on her lap and leaned forward. “So,” Gabriel began, in a teasing tone, “You two were kissing right before Father Anderson blew a giant hole in the floor.”
Puriel let out an embarrassed squeak as her face turned pink.
I shrugged, feeling no shame. “Yeah, we were. I couldn’t help it. She’s a really cute little angel.”
Puriel’s blush deepened. She tried to say something, but all she managed was an incoherent mumble.
Gabriel nodded thoughtfully, smiling a bit. “All my siblings are cute,” she said in an offhanded way. “Well, except Kokabiel. I’m not sure what went wrong when Father created him…” she grimaced and that made me very curious. “...Anyway, Puriel, did you feel any strange sensation in your wings when you kissed Valerie? Did they flicker black at all?”
Puriel’s eyes went wide. “No, not at all,” she said earnestly. She glanced over her shoulder at her pristine white wings, looking slightly worried. “I don’t want to fall, Gabriel!”
Gabriel chuckled softly. “A little kissing wouldn’t be enough to make an angel fall. You might have gotten a small warning at most, but if you felt nothing, that’s interesting.” Her gaze shifted to me. “Valerie, could you kiss Puriel again so I can observe? I have a theory I want to confirm.”
Puriel let out another flustered squeak.
I smirked, more than willing to play along. I was already warm from being so close to both angels, and a little more contact with Puriel sounded like a great idea. “Gladly,” I said, turning toward Puriel. Before she could protest, I closed the distance between us, capturing her lips in a soft but heated kiss.
She made a small whimper in the back of her throat, then melted into it, her hands gingerly grasping my shoulders as she returned the kiss.
I let my tongue slip into her mouth, savoring the sweetness of her lips. My hands drifted around her waist, and I couldn’t resist reaching up to gently stroke the base of her wings. She shuddered against me, a faint moan escaping her as she arched into my touch.
The heat between us built fast, and for a moment, I forgot we had an audience.
A pointed cough from Gabriel reminded me we weren’t alone. I grunted in frustration, breaking the kiss with a reluctant sigh. My cheeks felt hot, and I could see Puriel looked just as flushed and dazed.
“So…?” I asked, glancing at Gabriel, trying to ignore the persistent throb of arousal in my body. “Any flickering wings or anything?” I couldn’t tell because my eyes were closed.
Gabriel smiled calmly, shaking her head. “No change whatsoever. Her wings stayed completely white.”
“That’s…normal?” I asked, uncertain.
“Actually, no,” Gabriel replied. “I would have expected some form of reaction if an angel was engaging in…intimate activities like that.” Her voice was gentle but held clear curiosity. “I suspect it’s because Puriel drank from your Sephiroth Graal when you healed her….”
“What happens now?” I asked.
“I’d like to test that theory further, if you don’t mind. May I see your Grail for myself? In fact, I’d like to try drinking from it, just a bit, to confirm my suspicions.” Gabriel asked me.
The idea sent a nervous flutter through my stomach. “Um, sure, I guess. It’s pretty easy for me to manifest. But are you sure you want to do that?”
“I’m positive,” Gabriel said confidently.
I pressed a hand against my chest and focused on the warm pulse of power inside me. A soft glow formed in my palm. The golden cup appeared, filled with a small amount of red liquid.
Gabriel’s eyes glowed with wonder as she reached out. “This is it…?”
I nodded. “Yeah, that’s the Healing Grail.”
She cradled the cup gently, bowing her head in reverence. “It truly is remarkable.” Slowly, she raised it to her lips and took a single sip. Her eyes fluttered shut, wings twitching in response.
Puriel and I both watched anxiously as Gabriel swallowed, her throat bobbing slightly. A soft gasp escaped her lips, and for a moment, I thought she might collapse. Then she steadied herself, her feathers ruffling in an obvious ripple of pleasure.
“Gabriel?” Puriel asked in alarm.
The archangel sat still, breathing slowly. Then she opened her eyes, which now shone with a faint glow. “I’m fine,” she assured us. Her gaze landed on me, and she smiled, looking almost euphoric. “Your Grail is as powerful as I suspected.”
“Powerful in a good way, right?” I asked, feeling a twinge of concern.
Gabriel laughed softly. “Yes, in a good way. I feel…different though.”
Gabriel’s words about feeling different after sipping from my Healing Grail made me curious. I wanted to ask her what she meant, but before I could speak, she leaned in and kissed me without warning.
My eyes went wide with surprise. She wrapped her arms around my back, pulling me gently closer, and I felt her warm tongue press past my lips. A rush of sensation soared through me. Her mouth was impossibly soft, and her grace-laced aura crashed into me in waves of pleasure.
I couldn’t stop myself from kissing her back. My fingers slid over her shoulders, while her hands roamed up my spine. A deep shudder overtook me, my body responding intensely to the perfect archangel’s touch. My nipples tightened almost painfully, and I felt a sudden surge of wetness between my legs. The rising heat built until I gasped into the kiss, my body spasming with release.
“Fweh…” I moaned against Gabriel’s lips, barely coherent as my orgasm washed over me. She slowly caressed my back, guiding me through the tremors that left me dizzy.
“Oh wow,” Puriel muttered beside us.
When Gabriel finally broke the kiss, a thin strand of saliva connected our mouths. She licked her lips thoughtfully, looking like she was studying her own reaction. “Interesting. My wings didn’t flicker or shift in color at all. I think whatever bond your Grail has created is making me more resistant to falling. This is truly a miracle.”
“A-awesome,” I managed, cheeks burning with embarrassment as I realized how obvious my state was. My clothes were already shredded from Father Anderson’s attacks earlier, and I hadn’t been wearing underwear to begin with. Now the couch beneath me had a very visible wet spot where I’d just lost control.
Gabriel winked at me playfully, while Puriel looked mortified and…maybe a bit jealous.
Gabriel gave me a few minutes to pull myself together after I made a mess all over the couch. She and Puriel both waited patiently, giving me space as I tried to calm the lingering arousal pulsing through my body.
Once the warmth in my veins started to settle, Gabriel cleared her throat. “I’m thankful I got to meet you today, Valerie,” she said softly, brushing a wrinkle from her robe that had probably occurred when we were kissing. “...You’ve given me a lot to think about. I need to speak to my brother Michael about everything that happened here.”
I swallowed hard now that the most famous Archangel—Michael himself—would be learning about me. “Right. I guess it can’t be helped,” I said, trying not to look too flustered.
Gabriel offered a small, apologetic smile. “It might be best if you left the Vatican for now. The Church is already on edge after two intruders—first that devil, and now you. We need time to settle things and handle the aftermath.”
Puriel folded her hands, her eyes downcast. “We also need to recover Dubbiel’s body. He may have tried to kill me, but…he was our brother.” She paused, voice trembling slightly. “He deserves a proper resting place.”
Gabriel nodded sadly, her wings drooping a bit at the mention of Dubbiel. “I’ll oversee it personally.”
I glanced between them and sighed. “This whole day’s been…an experience, for sure.”
Gabriel nodded in agreement, then looked at me with sincerity. “I’d like to contact you again in the future, if that’s alright. I have more questions about your Sephiroth Graal, and it’d be good to keep in touch.”
A spark of confidence flared inside me as I returned her gaze. “Of course,” I said, even managing a playful wink. “I’ll make time for you, Gabriel.”
She smiled back, the corners of her mouth lifting in amusement. Then her expression grew more serious. “Before you go, let me give you some advice regarding devils. I’ve heard good things about Sairaorg Bael—he seems honorable—and Sylvana Lucifer is mostly trustworthy. Still, don’t forget what devils are. Some of them can be dangerous. You already understand this as a dhampir who hunts vampires, but be extra careful.”
I shrugged. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Gabriel.”
Puriel reached over, wrapping me in a tight hug that made her wings fluff out behind her. “And thank you for saving my life,” she whispered. “I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble.”
I patted her back gently, feeling a sting of fondness for the sweet angel. “No trouble at all. Maybe we can hang out again sometime in less…stressful circumstances.”
She blushed and nodded. “I’d like that.”
“I’d like to see Asia before I go, though I doubt Father Anderson would let that happen.”
Gabriel sighed softly. “He’s very devoted to Asia’s safety, and you remain suspicious in his eyes. It might be best to avoid conflict for now.”
I grimaced. “I guess that’s fair.”
She touched my arm gently. “One more thing, Valerie. You’re recognized as a saintess by Heaven, but only among our higher ranks. As a dhampir, I can’t declare it publicly. Many priests and exorcists—like Father Anderson—may never accept you, and you should stay on guard around them.”
“Understood,” I said, giving a half-smile. “I appreciate the warning.”
With that, Puriel opened a nearby window for me, allowing me to turn into a swarm of bats and fly high into the sky before I kept going for miles out of the city. Only when I was sure I was far enough away did I turn back to normal.
“That was quite the interesting day you had, daughter.”
And of course, Alucard was somehow right behind me on that rooftop I landed on.
“Do I even want to know where you were all this time?” I asked him.
“I was around,” he chuckled.
Yeah, I’m sure he was.
“Did you gain anything from your little outing besides a bunch of holes in those clothes I worked so hard to find for you?” he asked playfully.
“Yeah, I’m sure the dumpster you fished them out of will be devastated that they got ruined…” I snarked back. “And yes I did gain something,” I said and allowed my new large wings to pop out behind me.
Alucard looked very impressed with them, and he even commented that I felt stronger now as well. Strong enough to learn some new abilities later. He then asked if I fought any interesting exorcists and I brought up the crazy Father Anderson.
“Heh heh. Out of all the priests that have tried to kill me in my long life, he’s definitely in the top 5 for the most fun. I’m glad you got to meet such a fun guy,” he told me.
I think the two of us had slightly different views on “fun.” The most fun part for me had definitely been kissing Gabriel…
Alucard then grabbed onto me and we disappeared into the shadows, hopefully going back to Hellsing manor for now.
XXX
Comments
SmittyBoi
If Azazel ever finds out about that kiss he's gonna have a stroke.
Alberto Cervantes
She who thirsts
Ototsu_Yume
Thanks for the chapter. I can see Kokoballs the crack-elf getting a giant murder boner for Valerie once he learns of her relationship with multiple leaders or the fact she can prevent angels from falling, since that saps his powerbase of future soldiers.
WhatAFungi
Valerie is quite a thirsty bat. And it’s not just blood she thirsts for. Thanks for the chapter
William Neill
Secret Saintess huh will she get a codename?
