“Please I beg you grant me sanctuary.” begged the once proud man cowering at my feet. Blood covered his clothing and matted his hair. There was a trail of bloody footprints from the temple showing his path.
“Why do you not make this request to the Temple of the Light? They are the usual granters of sanctuary.” I responded.
“I wish to ask for your sanctuary. Please I beg of you grant me sanctuary.”
“The Dark Mother will here your confession then decide on your request.” I reached down and ran my hand through the blood soaked hair. “The Dark Mother hears all.”
“I killed the man in an argument, said the man.
“So much blood does not come from a mere killing. What is your confession that keeps you from the Light?”
“I enjoyed it Priestess. I enjoyed feeling him die. I enjoyed the taste of him. I am afraid of my enjoyment.”
“Why should I not let the authorities deal with your crime? Why did you not confess to the Light? They have absolved and given sanctuary to murders.”
“ I felt the Dark Mother in my passion .She instructed me here. I wish to serve.”
“Do you submit to her will? Do you submit to the training of your desires?” I ask.
“ I will submit to anything you ask of me. Please grant me sanctuary.”
“My attendants will show you where to cleanse yourself. Then you will cleanse the Temple of your filth. Use this time to think on your decision. Once sanctuary is granted you will have safety only as long as you serve the Temple. As I watched the attendants take him to the baths I sucked the blood off of my finger.
He was beautiful tied naked to the post before the alter. I stood and watched him straining against his bonds, his oiled skin glistening in the candle light. I stood behind him pressing my oiled skin into his back and whispered. “It is time to decide if you want the protection of the Temple. There is still the option of seeking sanctuary in the Temple of the Light. Your bonds will be released and you will be escorted by my attendants. If you choose to stay your decision will be revocable only by death.”
“I wish to serve the Dark Mother,” his voice was strong.