Per Sempre Medici, page 36
"This is true. So, let’s both make the most of it. Care to take a stroll with me, get a drink?" He slapped her ass lightly. "Let’s stroll to the Pont de Arts, shall we? We haven’t been there since Nattie was little."
She looked up at him. "I'd like that. I'd like it a lot. Let me change into flat shoes, and we can walk all night.”
Stepping back inside the bedroom, she quickly kicked off the heels and found a pair of ballet flats in the closet. He grabbed her hand, and they ran down the stairs like giddy young lovers on their first visit to Paris. Shade yelled out, "We’re out, Luca. Don’t wait up!"
Once they hit the streets, they casually strolled the sidewalks, sharing smiles and glances at one another. They passed other couples who were behaving much the same. As they made their way to the Pont de Arts, Shade stopped suddenly and looked inside an old but quaint café. It housed a great restaurant, with an old-fashioned bar. "Do you know, mi amore, this is one of the finest cafes in this section of the city, and I have never been inside. Would you accompany me on a date tomorrow evening?”
She paused as he peered through the window. “What have I always told you? You lead, and I will follow." She really didn’t care where they went, as long as they went together.
His grin was wide, and his eyes gleamed in the moonlight. "You have always followed, mi amore. Not once have you questioned our path."
They finally made their way to the Pont de Arts and crossed over the bridge. They both knew where their lock was located, engraved with their names, and bearing four small metal tags, one for each of their beloved children. They came here every time they came to Paris, as a reminder of their commitment to each other, made so long ago. Shade felt a greater urgency to share it with her this trip, knowing what might lay ahead for them.
"Here it is." He sorted through the mass of locks, finding theirs, and holding it in his hand. He felt her hand cover his own as he looked into her eyes. "Ti amo."
61
Dona was relieved to arrive back home and was greeted by Mario, who started to unload her luggage from the car. "My lady, we did not expect you."
Dona smiled back at him, "It was not planned, Mario. Something came up, and Rodrigo had to be away for a few days."
She entered the villa, to be greeted by Marie. "My lady, can I get you anything? We were not expecting your return. I can draw a bath for you."
Dona paused, she’d been thinking about the situation with the half-breeds during the car ride back from Rome. "Just bring me a Midnight, please. I need to make a call." Marie scurried off to pour her a glass of the thick wine, as Dona made her way to the library and the newly installed visi-phone. Marie returned with the drink, and Dona gratefully accepted it, taking a sip to calm her nerves. Walking to the screen mounted on the wall, she asked her maid, "How does this work again?"
Maria stepped forward, "You just touch the screen, or you can activate it with your voice. Shall I call up someone for you, my lady?"
Dona shook her head no. "I can do it but thank you. If you'll excuse me a moment?”
Marie nodded. "Of course, my lady."
As Marie exited the room, Dona stepped up to the screen and could see her reflection on the polished black surface. There were no buttons to push, and she assumed the darn thing was on. In a soft voice, hoping not to be overheard, she said, "Call Malachi at Council."
The screen came to life, and she could hear the soft ringing, followed by an image that appeared on the screen. "How may I help you?"
Dona stared back at the male whose face had appeared on the screen. "Is this the Council?"
The male nodded. "Yes, my lady. How may I help you?"
"I am Donatella Alizzi, and I wish to speak to Malachi."
"Yes, my lady, I know who you are. Hold on, please. I must find him." The male disappeared from the screen, and Dona paced as she continued to sip at the wine. She’d never called Council before and wasn’t sure of the protocol. The minutes ticked by and seemed like hours, when the green-hooded figure appeared, his face partially obscured from view.
"Alizzi, this is an unexpected pleasure. How can Council be of service?"
Dona recognized the green robe. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d seen Malachi and doubted she’d even recognize him if he weren’t in the robe. She set down her glass and faced the screen, speaking in a soft voice. "Malachi, I am so sorry to disturb you, but I was hoping you could pay me a visit? I know it is not customary, but I'm afraid my activities are being monitored."
Malachi was aware of the situation playing out between the Alizzi and Rodrigo Borgia. The Council had been informed of the extensive renovations that had taken place at her villa, but he had the distinct impression from the circulating gossip that the Alizzi was more than happy to have the attention of the Borgia, even though this relationship had renewed the tension between the Borgia and the Medici covens.
"It is not typical for Council to leave our fortress, Alizzi. I must ask you provide me with more detail. Who is monitoring your activities?"
Dona looked down at her hands and twisted one of the new rings on her finger. "You are aware I was seeing Rodrigo?"
The hooded figure nodded. "I am, my lady. Council was informed of the generous renovations that have been made to your property."
Dona looked over her shoulder before responding to him. "Rodrigo's attentions are not exactly...I mean, he has been nothing but kind to me, I don't mean to imply...it is just, I mean, I did not seek out his attention..."
Malachi sighed. He had a busy schedule, and the Alizzi was calling him with quandaries over her love life? "My lady, how you conduct yourself with the Borgia is of no concern to the Council. You are a mistress, born of royal blood. Who you choose to spend your time with is not our business."
Dona shook her head, "No. I am not being clear. I overheard something. Something I am quite sure was not meant for my ears. I fear repeating it. I am sure Rodrigo monitors my comings and goings. If you could please, come here, and I could speak with you in private. I know I am asking a lot."
Malachi picked up on the fear in her voice and thought for a moment. "Fine. I need to wrap up a few things here. I shall visit before midnight."
Dona looked back at him, her eyes reflecting her relief. "Thank you, Malachi. I would not ask if I did not think it was important." He nodded at her as the screen went blank.
Dona called out to Marie, who rushed into the room. "You can draw my bath now. We will have a visitor later."
"Yes, my lady."
Dona left the library on her way to her bedroom, followed by Marie. As Dona undressed, Marie drew her bath. Dona was already worrying as to whether she was doing the right thing. What if Rodrigo found out? Maria stepped forward, letting her know her bath was ready, and Dona directed her as to what clothes she’d like laid out for her as she stepped into the tub, and briskly scrubbed away at her skin, trying to remove any scent of the Borgia. She felt close to tears. She should have stopped this in the beginning. She should have rushed outside when the workers first showed up in her gardens, and called a halt to it, sending them away. She was well aware her loneliness and her greed to have her old lifestyle back led her to make some very bad decisions, and now she had no idea how to extract herself. Rodrigo made her skin crawl, and she knew it was only a matter of time before she’d be forced to lie beneath him. His brother, Soren, sent a chill of fear down her spine every time she saw him. She should have kept the lessons of her father in her head. She should have listened when Shade came to visit her, but her pride got in the way.
She stepped from the tub, and Marie rushed to help dry her off and assisted her with fixing her hair and make-up before she pulled on a dress purchased with Borgia money. As Dona prepared to go back downstairs, she stopped Marie from following her. "Please, stay here in my suite unless I call for you."
Marie looked at her with some confusion. "But your guest?"
Dona nodded. "I'll take care of it, thank you." Dona left, closing the door behind her, and leaving Marie inside. She made her way down the stairs and informed Mario she wished for him to leave Midnight and glasses in the parlor, and then he was to retreat to his private quarters. Her servant of many years merely nodded and carried out her instructions.
“As you wish, my lady."
Dona waited impatiently in the parlor, pouring herself another glass of Midnight, and frequently checking the time. When she heard the tap at the door, she rushed to answer it herself. Malachi stood in his green robe, with a warrior standing a few feet behind him. "Please, come in."
Malachi entered, as the warrior took up his station just inside her door. "May we meet in private, Malachi?"
He nodded, his eyes still obscured by the robe. "Of course, my lady. My warrior will remain here at the entrance."
Dona turned, inviting him to follow as she led him to the parlor and closed the door behind them. She poured him a glass of Midnight as he took a seat in her newly appointed parlor. Sitting across from him, she wrung her hands. Malachi took a sip as he waited for her to speak. "I don't have all night, Donatella. What is it you wish to speak to me about?"
Dona kept her voice low and looked over her shoulder again as if expecting Rodrigo to appear any minute. "I am aware of the new edict from Council, about the half-breeds, and I know Lorenzo and his mate had taken in one of the infants left at your doorstep."
Malachi nodded. "Si, that is no secret, Donatella. Why am I here?"
Dona spoke even more softly, barely above a whisper. "When I was at Borgia palazzo, the brothers have a ritual they share every night upon waking from their death slumber. They drink the blood of a freshly drained half-breed. I was forced to join them one evening and share in this ritual. And on the last night I was there, I overheard Soren speaking to one of his warriors. I think they capture the half-breeds and hold them captive. He spoke of paying off the mothers, and watching the Council fortress closely, to retrieve any abandoned half-breeds before Council finds them." Dona almost choked on her words. "He keeps them alive, I think, and locked beneath the palazzo, until he is ready to drain them."
Malachi sipped at the Midnight while she spoke, her fear evident in her voice. Her news didn’t surprise him. He knew the new edict providing protection to the half-breeds was reversing centuries of tradition, where the half-breeds were ostracized. Still, there was a difference between neglecting the half-breeds and killing them. Killing a half-breed wouldn’t draw as much attention as killing mortals, but it still risked exposing them if not conducted discretely. He was also aware he couldn’t issue any sanctions against the Borgia without exposing the Alizzi as his source of information and putting her life at risk. Setting his glass down on the table, he pushed the hood back from his face. “Have you told anyone else about this?"
Dona shook her head.
"Good. For your own safety, Alizzi, I beg you not to speak of it."
Dona asked him in a timid voice, “What can you do?"
Malachi rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling a headache coming on, the early signs of a vision, and he wasn’t sure it was a vision he wished to see. "I'm not sure what we can do that will not put your life at risk. I have no doubt that if we approach the Borgia, he would know immediately the source of the information. I fear, my child, that he has intentionally exposed their practice as a test of your loyalty. Speak of this to no one, and I do mean no one. I will discuss this with my brothers. We will increase the surveillance of the activity around our fortress, and at least try to make sure those half-breeds are left for us reach safety. Other than that, I fear we must wait." He stared back at her, as she looked at him wide-eyed. "I take it from this conversation the Borgia's attentions are not exactly welcome."
She slowly shook her head no. He looked back at her as a tear ran down her cheek. "Are you not able to extract yourself from this relationship?"
She blinked her eyes several times, feeling the hot tears on her cheeks, and answered him in a whisper. "I am in too deep. It is too late for me."
Malachi sighed heavily. "Surely, if you appealed to the Medici..."
Dona shook her head. "Rodrigo is using me. I am his pawn. Shade warned me and I would not listen. If Shade were to interfere now, it would only escalate to what I fear is inevitable. If I am complacent, if I go along, maybe I can appease him."
The visions in Malachi's head told him otherwise but telling her all was lost served no one. "Of course, my child." Her fate was sealed, and there was nothing Malachi could do to stop it.
62
Malachi had been brooding ever since the meeting with the Alizzi. He’d called the Council together and informed them of the situation, and they had increased the surveillance outside their fortress. The warriors had even installed more cameras and motion detectors. He didn't worry for himself, or his brothers. The Council hadn’t been attacked since the 14th century, and even then, it was by mortals who thought they were some sort of heretic religious order. He paced his room, thinking about the information the Alizzi had shared with him. She’d called herself a pawn in Rodrigo's game, but Malachi was unsure of exactly what the game entailed. He was well aware of the increased tension in Italy, which was bleeding into the other European covens as well. A battle between covens could upset the balance of power, and impact all the covens, whether they were involved in the conflict or not.
The Borgia had never played by the rules and consistently thumbed their nose at Council. The snapshot of a vision he’d had while visiting with the Alizzi showed him things not ending well for her, but it didn't show him why. It was clear during his visit, Donatella felt trapped in the relationship now. Did Rodrigo only seek to take her territory? Or did he seek to set himself up for a border war with the Medici? Malachi shuddered to think of such an outcome. It would be devastating, and the loss of life immeasurable. He sat down and placed his head in his hands. The decree that the Council had issued about the half-breeds had been met with mixed feelings, but the Council had been prepared for that. Changing hearts and minds took time. Still, to learn the Borgia fed on the half-breeds like they were some culinary delicacies, was an abomination. Malachi was wondering if their actions to provide better protection for the half-breeds might have provoked Rodrigo in some way. He couldn’t imagine Rodrigo would attempt to take the half-breed Lorenzo had adopted, but he couldn’t be sure of anything these days. It was better to be safe than sorry.
Standing up, feeling every year of his age in his bones, he made his way to the call center. Shuffling his feet down the long, dark corridors, he pushed open the massive door to a room filled with high-tech equipment. He shook his head and sighed, wishing for the simplicity of the older days. "I need to speak to Lorenzo Medici, please. Can you dial him up, then give me some privacy?"
The vampire manning the room silently nodded as his fingers tapped at lightning speed across the screen. As soon as Lorenzo's image appeared, he stood from his seat, and offered it to Malachi, before leaving the room, and closing the door behind him.
***
Lorenzo finished dressing in leathers as he readied himself for another night in the camp. Chantal sat in a rocker in their bedroom, cooing softly to the baby. Grace had grown quite plump and looked the picture of health. He kissed the top of Grace's head, before kissing Chantal. "Remember, cherie, you are not to leave, under any circumstances. And keep Rene close, understood?"
"Oui, I understand. Let me put Grace down, and I will meet you downstairs before you leave." Getting up from the rocker, holding Grace in her arms, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him. "May we just have one drink together before you leave for camp?" She stared into his icy blue eyes and smiled coyly. "Please, for me?"
He knew he was already running late, but between his demands in the camp, and her demands with the new infant, he understood he needed to make time for her. "Of course, I need to pick up some files from my office. We can have a drink before I leave."
Summoning Rosa, she appeared almost immediately, taking the baby from Chantal's arms. "Do not worry, my lady. She is such a good baby. I will put her down for a nap now."
As Rosa left the room, Lorenzo extended his arm to her and led her from the room, and down the marble stairs. “Tell me, cherie, have you heard from your mother?"
As they glided down the stairs, she knew it would be another night he strived to keep their coven protected. "Oui, Maman is not happy her visits with us are so infrequent, but she understands our safety takes priority. And before you ask, she is trying to work on Papa. I do not envy her that task. He is proud and stubborn, as are all of the elders when it comes to the half-breeds. I have accepted our fate, Lorenzo. If he chooses not to have either of us in his life again, then so be it, but I have learned my maman is more stubborn than I ever imagined."
Lorenzo chuckled. "It seems Medici males are drawn to stubborn females, cherie, and I would have it no other way. If I were to bet, I would place my considerable fortune on your mother. She’ll wear him down with time. You’ll have your father back in your life, I’m sure of it."
He pushed the door of his office open, allowing her to enter first. As she took a seat, he willed a fire in the massive fireplace to take the chill off the room and poured two tumblers of the wine for them. He handed her a glass and tipped the edge of the crystal against the glass in her hand, creating a melodic clink. "To us, cherie."
Chantal would take every second she could with him. It was the smallest of moments, but she’d learned to store them in her heart. They kept her warm when he was on duty. "To us." She smiled and sipped when suddenly, the large screen came to life, and she stifled the sigh over yet another interruption.
Lorenzo noticed the second the screen flickered, and the image of Malachi appeared. Getting a call from Council wasn’t an everyday occurrence, and Lorenzo was troubled by the fact Council was calling. He downed the drink and moved to take his seat behind his desk. His brow was creased as he spoke to the image on the screen. “What is it, Malachi? I can't imagine you’ve called with good news."
