“Lead me to him.”
“I want your word.”
He growled his response, but she stood there, stubbornly.
Impatient with the delay, the Prince relented. “Very well. Lead me to Ibarra, and I won’t be the one to execute you.”
“I won’t be taken in by your sophistry. Promise me my life.”
At this, the Prince bared his teeth and snarled.
Obediently, Aoibhe lifted her skirts and stepped over the hair, heading for the door.
“You’ve given me your word,” she said in a small voice.
The Prince glared at her coldly. “How many promises to me have you kept?”
Chapter Forty-One
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Raven rose early, dressing in a pretty yellow sundress and low sandals.
William hadn’t returned after their conversation the previous day.
Over breakfast, Lucia informed her that his lordship was busy, but planned to return before sunset.
After breakfast, Raven retired to the library, where she spread out her paper and charcoal and began sketching the view above her, through the enormous, domed glass ceiling. It was a bright, sunny day, and the sky was a vibrant blue. Only the smallest wisp of cloud sailed overhead.
Her fingers were black from the charcoal an hour later when her cell phone rang.
Father Kavanaugh.
She declined the call.
A few seconds later, he called again.
She declined the call.
He called again.
With a huff, she tossed her charcoal aside, wiped her hands on a cloth, and answered the phone. “Yes?”
“Raven, where are you?” Father’s tone was anything but casual.
“I’m in Florence.”
“Where in Florence?”
“I’m not going to tell you that. Where are you? Where’s Cara?”
“You need to leave Florence at once. It’s very dangerous. There are—”
“I’m fine,” she interrupted. “Tell me about Cara.”
The priest paused, and Raven heard something muffled in the background.
“I’m back in Italy. Cara is in Miami with your mother.”
“How could you?” Raven reproached him. “You just deliver her to our mother, after everything?”
“Cara needed a place to stay until she’s ready to return to the house she shared with her fiancé.” Father cleared his throat. “Raven, you have to leave Florence. Things are falling apart, and I won’t be able to protect you.”
“I don’t need your protection.”
“Don’t hang up!” Father shouted.
Again, Raven could hear something muffled in the background, as if the priest was in a moving car.
“I heard what you said. I’m not leaving the city. Call me when you want to talk about Cara.” Raven tapped her screen to end the call.
Father called again.
She declined.
He called again, and she let it ring.
She picked up her charcoal and returned to her drawing. Art had always provided a solace for her, as well as an occupation. She was glad to forget her strife with Father Kavanaugh and her anxiety over her sister, and lose herself in her sketch.
Fifteen minutes later, a loud, shrieking alarm sounded.
Raven covered her ears. She couldn’t tell if it was a fire alarm or a burglar alarm, but the sound was deafening.
She picked up her cane and had begun to walk toward the door when Lucia stormed in, bolting it behind her.
“There’s been a security breach. Someone has come over the fence.” Lucia took her arm and hurried her toward one of the bookshelves. “You need to evacuate.”
“Evacuate?” Raven looked around the room. “Can’t we call the police?”
“This is the protocol. His lordship will be notified, but he’s unreachable at the moment.” Lucia opened a drawer and withdrew a flashlight, a cell phone, and a piece of paper, all of which she thrust into Raven’s hands. She touched a volume on the bookshelf, and the entire bookcase swung inward.
Lucia escorted Raven to the secret entrance. “Go down the staircase. Turn right. Go to the end of the corridor. Enter the number written on that piece of paper in the keypad next to the door. It will open to reveal a passage that runs beneath the city. Make sure you close the door behind you.”
“Wait.” Raven planted her feet. “What about you? What about Ambrogio?”
“We’re following his lordship’s orders.”
“Forget about that! You need to come with me.”
Lucia stared at her impassively. “His lordship’s orders are always obeyed. Once you enter the passage, you’ll find a network of tunnels. His lordship will find you, but you must go now. The intruders are armed.”
Lucia pushed her through the door as the sound of heavy, booted footsteps echoed from outside the library.
Someone began rattling the door handle.
“Hurry.” Lucia pushed her again and retreated, closing the secret door.
Raven was left standing in total darkness.
She fumbled with the flashlight, and a beam of light shone down the spiral staircase.
The stairs were familiar, but Raven couldn’t remember when she’d seen them. Perhaps the night William had taken her to see her stepfather.
Her stomach rolled.
She limped awkwardly down the stairs, breathing shallowly against the damp air. It smelled musty and ancient.
A long corridor lay at the foot of the staircase, punctuated by a series of wooden doors.