Merciful heavens.Arianna suddenly understood Countess Litta’s sly “look to family” hints. Bishop Sergius was Orlov’s uncle . . . and all at once, so many things became clear. Grentham had been right to think he was missing something. Indeed, all of them had been perplexed by Orlov. His veneer of polished savvy couldn’t quite hide his venal instincts. That he could be the leader of such a sophisticated conspiracy—one that required both discipline and cunning—didn’t add up . . .
And that was because Bishop Sergius was the real leader of the conspiracy, and had chosen his nephew as a mere figurehead in his plans.
Which perhaps was coming back to bite him. The argument suddenly turned even more heated as Orlov’s grin turned wolfish.
“You know nothing about pleasures of the flesh,” jeered the prince. “You may be happy with your monkish pleasures of bread and water, and endless chanting to some imaginary Almighty—”
“You blaspheme!” cried the bishop, eyes blazing with fire. “This marriage is key for winning the trust of the Holy Synod. You must honor your new wife and produce heirs. No more debaucheries with your many mistresses. And when you are Tsar—”
“Save your saintly lectures for the ignorant masses,” cut in Orlov with a nasty laugh. “When I am the Emperor of All Russia, I shall make the rules and do exactly as I please.”
“Nyet!”
The bishop moved with deceptive quickness, his billowing black cassock rippling like a storm cloud about to erupt in thunder and lightning. He raised an arm, and from within his bell-shaped sleeve came a sudden flash.
Arianna watched in horror as the knife sliced a deadly arc through the flutters of light and dark.
Her heart skipped a beat as it plunged into Orlov’s chest.
The prince shuddered, his eyes widening in disbelief. He opened his mouth, but his breath was already gone. Shoulders slumping, he swayed and toppled to the ground.
Bishop Sergius muttered something, his bejeweled fingers flashing in the candlelight as he sketched a series of gestures. His expression was terrifying in its look of unholy determination.
A zealot, thought Arianna.Absolutely sure that his vision for the world was the One True Way.
Holding herself still as a statue, she hoped he wasn’t about to come in her direction. But to her relief, he finished with his rituals and spun around to retrace his steps through the darkened nave. Arianna waited until she heard the thud of the cathedral’s main doors falling shut before darting out of the sanctuary. She paused for a moment by Orlov’s body.
Though she couldn’t muster any real pity for the prince, violent death was always sobering.
However, Arianna quickly turned her thoughts back to the living. “This changes everything,” she whispered. Their original plans had just been sent to the Devil.
“Time to improvise,” she added, as she rushed to exit the cathedral.
“Ye heavens, what’s gone wrong?”demanded Mrs. Schuyler as soon as Arianna shut the door.
“Let’s just say a great many things have changed in the blink of an eye,” replied Arianna. “Mostly for the better, but we need to act without delay.” She glanced at Tatiana. “Forget about fussing with all the feminine frills. Strip them off and dress warmly.” A pause. “And keep your knife with you.”
“Is Prince Orlov—” began Mrs. Schuyler.
“Orlov is dead,” said Arianna. “Murdered in the cathedral by Bishop Sergius—who, by the by, is his uncle. That’s what was the missing piece in this confounded puzzle.”
“It serves Orlov right,” said Tatiana. She yanked out the ribbons in her hair. “Evil deserves Evil.”
Arianna didn’t disagree. “Be that as it may, we need to leave here quickly and find a way to rendezvous in the tunnels with Saybrook and the others.”
“Have you seen Andrei?” asked Tatiana.
She had no idea where Prescott was. “No, but I trust that he’ll have his wits about him and find a way to—”
A fist pounded against the door, cutting off the rest of her words.
“Open up!”
Damnation.Arianna drew her pistol and gestured for the others to stand aside.
Tatiana, however, raced forward to click open the latch.
Prescott stepped into the room and brandished the pistols he held in both hands. “You ladies are to come with me!” he bellowed after giving Arianna a warning wink. “Now!”
