The Roman(25)
He lifted a distressed Raven into his arms and led the detachment toward Rome.
Chapter Nineteen
“WE HAVE ARRIVED.” The Prince halted the detachment just outside the city.
“Cassita,” he said gently.
Raven jolted awake, and he placed her on her feet.
Borek deposited Cara next to her, and the two women leaned on one another, blinking away sleep.
Cara squinted at the lights of the city, visible in the distance. “We aren’t at the Vatican.”
Raven shushed her. “We need to make a stop first.”
“A stop?” Cara looked around. “Why?”
“Silence.” William’s tone was a commanding whisper.
“Would you like me to act as courier, my Lord?” Borek bowed.
The Prince turned his face downwind. “They know we’re here. They’ve been tracking us the past seven miles.”
“Why aren’t we at the Vatican?” Cara approached William with two quick steps. “I thought we were going to see Father Kavanaugh.”
The Prince wrapped his hand around her neck, forcing her to look at him. “Silence. You will stay silent until I give you permission to speak. I am your master now.”
Cara’s eyes glazed over, and she closed her mouth.
“No!” Raven cried, limping toward her sister.
As if on cue, an armed company of soldiers materialized from the direction the Prince faced. They encircled the Florentines completely.
The Prince released Cara and placed her and Raven behind him.
Raven tucked her sister into her side and murmured comfortingly in her ear. But before she could demand that William release the mind control, the leader of the company of soldiers stepped forward, sword drawn.
“This is the border of the principality of Rome. You’re trespassing.”
The Prince arched an eyebrow.
Raven noticed a slight shift in the leader’s expression when William didn’t respond.
The leader examined him with narrowed eyes.
“Since we are standing outside the border of the principality, we are not trespassing.” The Prince’s gaze moved to some invisible line that lay to his right.
“State your business,” the leader snapped, brandishing his weapon.
The Prince rumbled, deep in his chest. “I am the Prince of Florence.”
The leader’s frown deepened.
The Prince lifted his arm to display the signet ring he wore on his right hand.
“Beg pardon, your highness.” The leader inclined his head slightly. “We had no notice of your arrival.”
“Unfortunately, it appears my couriers were killed before they arrived. Hunters.
“I am accompanied by my personal guard, along with two pets. I’m here to speak with Lieutenant Cato on urgent business.” The Prince gestured toward the leader. “And you are?”
“Captain Gaius.” His gaze moved from Florentine to Florentine, as if measuring their threat. “It’s almost sunrise. Lieutenant Cato will not be receiving guests at this hour.”
“Then we shall wait until a more reasonable hour, inside the palace.”
Gaius scanned the detachment once again. “I can’t escort you to the palace without approval of the lieutenant.”
The Prince appeared irritated. “Then I shall escort myself. If you’re old enough to be captain of a company, Gaius, you’re old enough to know of my loyalty. I sent an emissary to speak with the lieutenant only recently. Now I have decided to speak with him myself.”#p#分页标题#e#
“I meant no disrespect, your highness, but I must obey orders.”
“The location of the Roman palace isn’t a secret to me. Escort us to the Forum and allow us to wait while you secure approval. But be advised I will not be caught out of doors after sunrise.” The Prince’s tone held a warning.
Gaius hesitated.
He turned and barked an order to one of his soldiers, who took off at high speed.
Gaius replaced his sword in its scabbard. “We shall escort you to the Forum, your highness, while my courier sends word to the lieutenant. But your detachment must disarm.”
“No.”
The leader stared into the Prince’s eyes, and his own eyes grew unfocused.
He broke eye contact abruptly and turned on his heel. “This way.”
“Jedi mind tricks,” Raven muttered as the Roman soldiers began to march toward the city.
“Look sharp,” the Prince whispered to his soldiers as they followed the Romans. “Keep hold of your weapons, but be discreet.”
Raven contemplated arguing with William about what he’d just done to Cara, but elected to wait. They were in a precarious position, one she would not worsen by drawing attention to herself.