“If the women arrive at our borders, we will welcome them. But I won’t allow you to walk into the arms of our enemies and be held for ransom. Nor will I send troops outside Vatican City, unless it’s to lay siege to a stronghold we can overtake. We cannot tip our hand.”
Jack gave the Director a long look. “Are there plans to invade Florence?”
The Director shuffled a few papers on his desk. “Since your protégé was a pet, she will have to be exorcised on arrival.”
Jack touched the cross he always kept in his pocket. “I will see to it personally.”
“I have already directed some of our agents to secure the body of the fiancé. We can’t allow an autopsy to go forward, if he was killed by a vampyre.” The Director made the sign of the cross. “You are dismissed.”
Jack bowed and withdrew to the door.
“Father Kavanaugh.” The Director’s voice interrupted his movements.
He turned. “Yes?”
“The most recent intelligence out of Florence indicates that Machiavelli has been executed.”
“Executed? By whom?”
“The Prince. It seems he survived the coup, executed his enemies, and is now in full control of the city, including the army.”
“Raven,” Jack whispered, his hand seeking the relic he carried in his pocket.
“The battleground on which we wage our war against evil is constantly changing.” The Director turned his attention to the files on his desk. “Remember this when you are tempted to act without consulting your superiors.”
Shaken, Father Kavanaugh bowed and left the office.
Chapter Eight
THE HUNTER RELEASED RAVEN and pushed her to the ground. He withdrew something from his pocket, holding it in front of him.
He laughed.
“Oh yes, laugh.” The Prince’s gray eyes narrowed. “Trust in a trinket you aren’t worthy to wield.”
He approached the hunter, who extended the relic in front of his body as far as he could.
As William neared, the hunter’s expression faltered. He lifted the relic higher, as if that could stop the angry Prince.
William’s eyes grew strangely alight. He reached past the relic to fasten onto the hunter’s wrist, pushing the man’s hand back so quick and so hard that his wrist snapped.
The hunter screamed and dropped the relic.
“You touched what is mine.” William grasped the much taller hunter by the back of his neck. “You made her bleed. Now you will pay for every mark on her perfect skin.”
With a sickening sound, he wrenched the hunter’s neck, breaking it. He shoved the body aside and wiped his hands on his black pants.#p#分页标题#e#
“Who laughs now?” he asked, kicking the corpse.
He turned, the firelight illuminating his handsome profile. His expression softened when he saw Raven sprawled on the grass. “Cassita.”
A shuddering sob escaped her chest. She covered her mouth with her hand.
William lifted her into his arms. “I’m sorry he hurt you.”
“I thought you were dead.” Raven burrowed her face into his neck, hugging him with all her might.
He pressed his lips to her temple. “Once you and your sister were safely outside the city, I was able to regain control of the army. Machiavelli is dead, and I am prince once again.”
He nuzzled her face with his nose. “You’re bleeding.”
Raven wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, leaving a trail of blood across her skin. “Never mind about that. I thought I’d lost you.”
“Little lark.” He kissed her forehead. “I was only delayed. And for that, I’m sorry. Are you all right?”
“Yes.” Raven dug her fingers into his shoulders. “But I’m so angry with you for sending me away. How could you do that?”
“I couldn’t protect you and your sister and fight for the city at the same time,” William said quietly.
“I don’t care about the city!” She slammed her hand down on top of his shoulder. “I care about you. You promised!”
“Raven.” His tone was a warning.
She struck him again in frustration. This time he growled.
“You promised, William. You promised we would stay togeth—” Raven’s words were cut off by his mouth.
He covered her, consumed her, swallowing her anger.
She wrapped her fingers in his hair, pressing herself against him.
He invaded her mouth, all sweetness and softness, a contrast to his branding kiss. He stroked his velvet tongue against hers, touching and tasting.
“May I?” He pulled back, his gray eyes darting hungrily toward her hand.
Raven was confused. But when William’s tongue dipped to the injured portion of her lip, she understood.