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“A small group of black robes won’t fell the city. My son is stronger than that.”
“If the human population is in chaos and the suggestion that vampyres exist begins to take root, the Curia will act in greater numbers.”
The Roman turned peering eyes to his lieutenant. “Has the Prince requested our assistance?”
“Yes, a message has just arrived.” Cato lifted his eyes. “Florence is unstable. Clearly, one of the Prince’s subjects is attempting to unseat him. He survived a Venetian assassination attempt only to crush a coup a short time ago. Now there is the public display of a dead policeman.”
“Unstable,” the Roman repeated, closing his eyes.
“The Curia knows you support Florence. That is the only reason they have not marched on the city.”
The Roman remained silent.
Cato frowned. He moved a bit closer to the throne. “There are precious few old ones left in Italy. There’s Simonetta of Umbria, but she’s content where she is and would never challenge you. The Prince of Florence might.”
The Roman’s eyes opened. “What are we speaking about?”
Cato’s eyebrows drew together. “Your son, excellency, the Prince of Florence.”
The Roman closed his eyes again. “Ah, yes. My beloved son.”
Cato coughed theatrically. But the Roman did not open his eyes.
“If I may speak freely, excellency, I believe the Prince’s visit was a ruse.”
“To what end?”
“It’s clear he has some strange attachment to his pet. Why else would he risk the ire of the Curia and come to you for support? He sounds like Faustus of Sardinia.”
Now the Roman’s eyes opened. “You believe Florence’s conflict with the Curia is caused by the pet?”
“The Curia wants it. The Prince wants it. The Prince won the last contest of wills by invoking your alliance. But an exsanguinated policeman in full view of the human population is certain to attract Vatican attention, even if the pet were not an issue.”
“If Florence is not under attack, I have no need to defend it.”
Cato paused, conflicted as to whether or not he should press the matter. It was not in his interest as an ambitious lieutenant to encourage the Roman to go to war. But the king was capricious and likely to blame him for any missteps.
“Shall I send word to Florence that we will not send troops?”
“Tell my son he has my confidence that he can best a few black robes.” The Roman focused on the fresco to his right, the image of a young and beautiful man dressed in Dominican robes being changed by an older, dark-haired man. “Order him to surrender the pet to the Curia and put an end to this petty squabble.
“I am hungry and require another feeding.” He bared his fangs. “Send in another, something young and fresh.”
Cato watched his ruler’s expression carefully, surprised by the non sequitur. “I shall procure something for you immediately.”
“You are dismissed.” The Roman closed his eyes once again.
Cato bowed, his smile growing wider as he quit the throne room.
Chapter Forty-Six
THE VAMPYRE SMILED, arms stretched wide. “I am the resurrection of the dead.”
Raven frowned. “And a plagiarist. I’ve heard that line before.”
He studied her for a moment. His smile widened. “You are a wit.”
“And you are?” She lifted her eyebrows.
“I am Ibarra of the Euskaldunak.” He bowed theatrically. “Late head of security for the principality of Florence and former Consilium member.”
“Former? What happened?” Raven stalled.
“Your master executed me.”
Raven made a show of inspecting his body, which seemed very fit. “You don’t look executed.”
“How is it you came to be wandering these tunnels all alone?” he snapped.
“I’m not alone. I told you, the Prince is with me.”
“I don’t see him. Perhaps he’s at his villa, resting.” Ibarra moved a step closer. “You aren’t under mind control, that much is certain. Feeding from you will be all the more pleasurable.”
Raven cringed. She had her cane in hand, but even if she struck him, she could never outrun him. She wondered if she could outsmart him.
“If you’re going to feed from me, can we at least move somewhere more comfortable? It’s damp down here, and I’m wearing sandals.”
Ibarra laughed, and the sound echoed. “So the Prince’s pet doesn’t mind someone else feasting on her. Perhaps the reason you’re in this tunnel all alone is because the Prince tired of you?”
Raven’s heart pounded. If Ibarra thought William no longer wanted her, he’d probably kill her.
She pretended to be insulted, sticking her nose in the air. “Of course he hasn’t tired of me. He fed from me a short time ago.” She touched the bite mark on her neck.
Ibarra stood in front of her and pressed two cold fingers to her throat.
His dark eyes met hers. “It’s a pity he fed from you so recently. I intend to use you hard before letting him know I have you. I can’t have you dying on me.”
His hand smoothed down her neck and trailed across her collarbone, which was exposed in her sundress.
Raven’s hand tightened on her cane. She knew if she attacked him now, he would likely knock her unconscious or worse.
Surely William was aware of the security breach at the villa by now. He would come looking for her. Her best chance for survival without serious injury was to accompany Ibarra willingly.
She placed a hand on her hip. “Can I have the flashlight? I can’t see very well.”
Ibarra switched the flashlight off. A crash sounded, as if he’d thrown it against the wall.
“I can’t see!” Raven protested.
“I suppose you’ll have to stay with me.” Ibarra grabbed her elbow. He began pulling her forward.
Raven continued to use her cane, exaggerating her disability so as to slow their pace to a crawl.
“Faster,” Ibarra hissed, almost pulling her off her feet. “I’d like to make it to new quarters before sunset.”
“I’m going as fast as I can.”
Ibarra tugged her cane out of her hand and threw it away, then lifted her into his arms.
“Much more comfortable.” His nose brushed her neck. “You smell delicious.”
“I have to go to the bathroom.”
Ibarra lifted his head. “What?”
“I have to use the toilet. Can we move this along?” Raven squinted against the darkness, trying to see. But it was no use.
“Humans are disgusting,” Ibarra muttered.
“Vampyres are parasites,” she retorted.
Ibarra ignored her remark and started jogging through the tunnel.
Raven kept her eyes closed.
She was forced to place her arm behind his neck, simply to hang on. Ibarra moved at a high rate of speed, jostling her from time to time.
He seemed to enjoy it, however.
They ran for some time, and all the while, Raven’s mind raced from scenario to scenario, trying to think of a means of escape. If he took her to a house that had a bathroom, perhaps she could crawl out the window. It was at that moment she remembered the cell phone in her pocket.
She hoped Ibarra wouldn’t find it.
Her vampyre captor made a number of turns, so many that Raven had no idea in what direction they were headed.
Abruptly, he stopped. His body went still.
“What is it?” She opened her eyes.
“Listen,” he whispered.
Raven couldn’t hear anything. “What’s happening?”
Ibarra placed her on her feet and shoved her against the wall, putting his body in front of hers. “Be quiet,” he ordered.
Raven pressed herself against the damp earth, shrinking away from him.
He simply moved closer, his back flush with her front.
Raven didn’t like the experience of being pressed against damp dirt by Ibarra, but she surmised he was trying to cover her, and perhaps mask her scent as well.
She strained her ears for the slightest sound.
In the distance, she could hear a low hum.
The hum grew louder as it approached, morphing into the frenzied cacophony of multiple footsteps.
A gust of wind swirled past, accompanied by the pounding of feet, as if a herd of animals was stampeding toward them. Raven cringed as the terrible noise approached, along with the sounds of curses and shoving.
She held her breath, worrying she would draw the creatures’ attention.
Then Ibarra’s body was gone.
“What is it? What’s happening?” he asked.
“Curia. In the tunnels,” a panicked voice responded.
“Curia? Are you sure?” Ibarra sounded incredulous.
“They felled four of us. They’re right behind me!”
There were sounds of a struggle and the noise of footfalls moving away.
Ibarra inhaled, slowly and deeply.
“I can’t scent them. We need to run.” His voice was tight.
He hefted Raven over his shoulder and took off. She fisted the fabric of his shirt with both hands, trying to hang on.
