The Roman(54)
Ibarra hadn’t informed her of his plan to kill a policeman and hang his body for the world to see.
She had to admit, it was a devious and ingenious way to destabilize the principality. She should have gone into hiding to see how it played out.
Now she was the Prince’s prisoner and assured of death, since she’d been unable to lead him to Ibarra.
She cursed him. If she ever set eyes on Ibarra again, she’d destroy him herself.
Her poor hair.
A vampyre’s nails and hair grew terribly slowly. It had taken decades for her to grow the long, lustrous locks that were her crowning glory. Now her hair was horribly asymmetrical. She wanted to weep.
“My Lord?” A hesitant voice came from the door to the council chamber.
The Prince gestured to Theodore, one of his servants from Palazzo Riccardi, to come forward. “What is it?”#p#分页标题#e#
“An urgent message from the villa, my Lord.” As he approached the throne, Theodore glanced at Aoibhe.
“Come closer,” the Prince beckoned.
The servant moved close enough to whisper. “The villa has been breached. I’m told your pet was able to escape into the tunnels.”
William gripped Theodore by the shirt. “When?”
“Within the hour. It took time for the message to be relayed because the intruders held Lucia and Ambrogio hostage.”
“What news of my pet?”
“None, my Lord.” Theodore blinked rapidly. “She must still be in the tunnels.”
“Find out from Ambrogio if there’s any way for her location to be determined. Report back immediately.”
Theodore nodded, and the Prince released him. “What is the state of the villa?”
“The servants are trying to repair the damage done by the intruders.” Theodore cleared his throat. “Ambrogio reports that one of the men wore a clerical collar and spoke of intelligence sources.”
A strange kind of silence filled the council chamber as both the Prince and Aoibhe absorbed the servant’s ominous revelation.
“Tell Ambrogio to ready himself in case we need to initiate the Geneva protocol. And fetch Gregor,” the Prince added, pressing a fist over his mouth.
The servant bowed a second time and scurried away.
“What’s the Geneva protocol?” Aoibhe asked, her expression curious.
“None of your concern,” the Prince snapped.
Wisely, Aoibhe clamped her mouth shut.
A few minutes later, Gregor appeared, looking a good deal more harried than usual. “My Lord?”
“We have a security breach. Armed men, one with a clerical collar.” The Prince glared at his head of security. “Perhaps you were going to inform me of this?”
“Pardon, my Lord.” Gregor bowed very low. “I was just informed. But I can tell you that the priest is a member of the Curia, a man called Kavanaugh. The team appear to be one of the Curia’s special forces units.”
Aoibhe gasped.
The Prince cursed. “How many are they?”
“A unit of ten, plus the priest, my Lord.”
“Where are they now?”
“They were seen entering the tunnel system near the Piazzale Michelangelo.”
“Wake the army and place them on the highest alert. Send the General to me immediately. Send a message to Rome, informing the king that the Curia has made an illegal incursion. Ask for his support.
“Tell Commander Borek to put together a team of his own and have them report to me here.” The Prince stood, his black velvet robe billowing behind him as he strode down the stairs from his throne.
“Yes, my Lord. Shall I inform the commander of his mission?”
The Prince stopped. “We’re hunting Curia. Tell them to arm accordingly.”
If Gregor could have gone pale, he would have. He bowed quickly and raced out of the council chamber, all decorum cast aside.
“You can’t be serious.” Aoibhe stood, her expression drawn and anxious.
The Prince glared. “At the moment, there are only eleven of them. They must be destroyed before others join them. Even if the Roman sends soldiers immediately using modern transport, they won’t arrive before sunset. We have no choice but to engage the invaders now.”
“We can’t fight the Curia and win.”
“But we can die trying.” He gave her a challenging look. “You have a chance to extend your life, Aoibhe. Join me or die on the spot.”#p#分页标题#e#
Aoibhe withdrew a step. “You would commit suicide? For what? A city? A pet?”
The Prince’s eyes glittered. “I’ve grown tired of your insolence. Choose.”
She watched him for a long moment. She nodded.
The Prince turned on his heel and approached the door, with Aoibhe trailing after him.