“No, you do not.” William passed a hand over his mouth in agitation.
“Will he keep us here?”
“At the moment, we are free to leave. But we should arrange to deliver Cara to your priest as soon as possible.”
Raven stood. She placed her hand at the back of his neck, drawing his forehead down to meet hers.
“Thank you.”
He didn’t respond.
“I love you,” she pressed.
“Je t’aim.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his body.
“Thank you for protecting us.” She kissed the corners of his mouth before centering her lips on his. “I trust you.”
“You are the only trust that exists in my world.” He spoke against her mouth. “I trust no one else.”
He kissed her deeply, angling his head. Just as quickly, he released her, kissing her forehead. “We need to contact your priest.”
“Okay.” She lifted her cell phone, took a deep breath, and dialed a number.
The priest answered on the third ring. “Raven?”
“Father? I’m in Rome with Cara. We need to see you.”
The journey from the Palatine Hill to the Vatican was not a long one, only about five kilometers. Gaius and a few of his soldiers accompanied the Florentines up Via della Conciliazione toward the border between Italy and Vatican City. Beyond this point no vampyre dared go, as the entire city state was built on holy ground.#p#分页标题#e#
Within this walled enclave, the Curia trained, plotted, and conducted its business in secret, protected by the public face of the Vatican.
It was a few hours before sunrise, and the city of Rome remained shrouded in darkness. The great Basilica of St. Peter shone like a beacon, while the piazza in front of it was only dimly illuminated. Unfortunately for the vampyres that approached on foot, the accompanying shadows were not large enough to conceal them.
The Prince sniffed the air, his gaze drawn to the rooftops of the buildings that rose on either side of the street.
“Curia,” he whispered, pointing with his chin at their unseen enemies.
In reaction, Gaius barked, “Lift high the standard.”
The standard bearer raised the flag of the Roman, which featured a ring of laurel leaves on a black background. A she-wolf stood in the center of the ring.
Gaius addressed the Prince. “Our presence should guarantee your safety. But my orders are not to engage, unless attacked.”
“So noted.” The Prince extended his arm in friendship, and Gaius clasped it, hand to elbow.
The captain and his soldiers fell back, standing by one of the buildings while the Florentines marched toward Vatican City.
About one hundred meters from the border, the Prince commanded his soldiers to halt, arms at the ready. They were exposed in this position, but he was determined to show strength.
He turned to stare at the standard of the Roman flying nearby, knowing his every move was being watched.
Gaius saluted in return.
The Prince took Raven and Cara by the hand, one on each side, and began to walk toward the border.
“Whatever happens, don’t cross the line,” he whispered to Raven. “I cannot tread on holy ground.”
Raven’s eyebrows lifted, for she knew his last statement to be a lie. But she nodded.
He stopped short of the border, occupying a space where the light was dim. He released the women’s hands and took Cara by the shoulders. Fixing his eyes on hers, he spoke. “Cara, I release you. Your mind is your own again.”
The young woman blinked, her blue eyes suddenly focusing on his face. “What? What are you doing?”
“Cara.” Raven pulled her away from William. “We’re here to see Father Kavanaugh.”
“Good.” Cara rubbed her eyes and yawned. “I can’t believe we got here so quickly. I must have fallen asleep.”
The sound of boots striking cobblestones pounded in the distance.
A century of soldiers dressed in black uniforms entered the piazza from the left side of the basilica. The soldiers wore crucifixes around their necks and carried swords.
“Black robes,” the Prince spat.
Cara snorted. “What’s with the army? I thought the Church was pacifist.”
“Perhaps you should ask your priest about that.” The Prince’s voice was cold.
“Whatever.” Cara rolled her eyes.
The soldiers marched toward the border and spread themselves out, one hundred meters inside the line. A lone figure emerged, walking in the direction of the Florentines.
Cara tugged on her sister’s hand. “There’s Father. Let’s go.”
“Approach slowly,” the Prince commanded.
Raven limped with Cara toward the border, while the Prince hovered behind them. A few feet from the line, Raven stopped. “I’m going back to Florence with William. You go ahead.”