The voice growled.
Raven lifted her cane, wielding it as a weapon.
Out of the darkness, the flashlight switched on, shining in Raven’s direction.
“I know what I look like,” she complained, squinting against the bright light. “Who are you?”
The light swung away, and Raven saw the figure of a male vampyre with thick, dark hair and glittering, dark eyes.
He smiled, arms stretched wide. “I am the resurrection of the dead.”
Chapter Forty-Five
AT THE SIGHT OF HIS LIEUTENANT, the Roman tossed the man he’d been feeding from aside, unhurriedly arranging his imperial robes to cover his lower body.
The naked man fell to the floor and was quickly removed from the throne room by a pair of Praetorian guards.
The Roman wiped blood from his mouth with the back of his hand. “Am I never to have pleasure without interruption?”
He turned his back on his lieutenant and ascended the steps to the throne. He arranged his robes leisurely, licking his lips.
“I beg pardon, your excellency, but you gave permission for me to enter.” Cato walked briskly toward the throne.
“Cave,” the Roman growled.
Cato prostrated himself before his ruler.
“Why are you here?” The Roman’s voice resumed its normal tone.
“There are disturbing reports from Florence.” Cato’s voice was muffled, as he spoke against the mosaic tile floor.
“Get up.”
Cato struggled to stand, his toga catching beneath one of his feet. “A policeman was found dead, naked, and drained of his blood in a piazza in the city center.”
“And?”
Cato frowned. “Panic has ensued, your excellency. Photographs of the body have been sent around the world. There are discussions about the existence of vampyres in Florence and the suggestion that the policeman was murdered by one.”
The Roman’s gaze fell on one of the frescoes. He studied it intently, but offered no comment.
“Your excellency, although we haven’t received any formal communication from the Curia, our spies have revealed that a small group of black robes has entered Florence.”
“A small group of black robes won’t fell the city. My son is stronger than that.”
“If the human population is in chaos and the suggestion that vampyres exist begins to take root, the Curia will act in greater numbers.”
The Roman turned peering eyes to his lieutenant. “Has the Prince requested our assistance?”
“Yes, a message has just arrived.” Cato lifted his eyes. “Florence is unstable. Clearly, one of the Prince’s subjects is attempting to unseat him. He survived a Venetian assassination attempt only to crush a coup a short time ago. Now there is the public display of a dead policeman.”
“Unstable,” the Roman repeated, closing his eyes.
“The Curia knows you support Florence. That is the only reason they have not marched on the city.”
The Roman remained silent.
Cato frowned. He moved a bit closer to the throne. “There are precious few old ones left in Italy. There’s Simonetta of Umbria, but she’s content where she is and would never challenge you. The Prince of Florence might.”
The Roman’s eyes opened. “What are we speaking about?”
Cato’s eyebrows drew together. “Your son, excellency, the Prince of Florence.”
The Roman closed his eyes again. “Ah, yes. My beloved son.”
Cato coughed theatrically. But the Roman did not open his eyes.
“If I may speak freely, excellency, I believe the Prince’s visit was a ruse.”
“To what end?”
“It’s clear he has some strange attachment to his pet. Why else would he risk the ire of the Curia and come to you for support? He sounds like Faustus of Sardinia.”
Now the Roman’s eyes opened. “You believe Florence’s conflict with the Curia is caused by the pet?”
“The Curia wants it. The Prince wants it. The Prince won the last contest of wills by invoking your alliance. But an exsanguinated policeman in full view of the human population is certain to attract Vatican attention, even if the pet were not an issue.”
“If Florence is not under attack, I have no need to defend it.”
Cato paused, conflicted as to whether or not he should press the matter. It was not in his interest as an ambitious lieutenant to encourage the Roman to go to war. But the king was capricious and likely to blame him for any missteps.
“Shall I send word to Florence that we will not send troops?”
“Tell my son he has my confidence that he can best a few black robes.” The Roman focused on the fresco to his right, the image of a young and beautiful man dressed in Dominican robes being changed by an older, dark-haired man. “Order him to surrender the pet to the Curia and put an end to this petty squabble.
“I am hungry and require another feeding.” He bared his fangs. “Send in another, something young and fresh.”
Cato watched his ruler’s expression carefully, surprised by the non sequitur. “I shall procure something for you immediately.”
“You are dismissed.” The Roman closed his eyes once again.
Cato bowed, his smile growing wider as he quit the throne room.
Chapter Forty-Six
THE VAMPYRE SMILED, arms stretched wide. “I am the resurrection of the dead.”
Raven frowned. “And a plagiarist. I’ve heard that line before.”