“You know as well as I that that is the same as an execution,” the Prince scoffed.
“You’ll be human once again, free of the darkness. Free of the control of the evil one. You will have a normal life.”
“This body should have died in the thirteenth century. What makes you think it could survive such a ritual?”
“God.”
“God?” Raven laughed. “You ask us to place our trust in God?”
“Without him, we have nothing,” the priest replied stubbornly.
“Have any of your members performed an exorcism on an old one?” William’s expression changed.
Raven tugged at his arm. “You can’t be considering this.”
William lifted a finger, waiting for the priest’s response.
“I have no knowledge of an exorcism of an old one,” the priest admitted. “But the principle is the same.”
“It’s too risky,” Raven concluded. “What if we were to agree to leave the city?”
“Cassita,” William gently reproved her.
“You would be able to leave after the exorcism,” the priest promised. “But Raven, your memories would have to be adjusted. And William would need to return to Rome with me, to be debriefed.”
“Would that be before or after the black robes kill me?” William asked.
Father ignored his barb. “Raven, you say you aren’t in his thrall. You say he loves you. But can’t you see he’s the one putting you in danger? Once the war starts, you could be killed. I’m the only one who can protect you.”
“We want to be together.” Raven gripped William’s hand.
William lowered his voice. “It’s too dangerous. If they’re offering you safe passage, you should take it.”
“No,” she whispered. “I’m not leaving without you.”
“If I abandon my city, I’m a coward.”
“There’s no reason to see this as abandonment,” the priest interrupted. “You would be surrendering the city in order to avoid bloodshed. In exchange, we guarantee Raven’s safety and your life. You become human once again, and we will no longer be enemies.”
“No,” Raven mouthed to William. “It’s too risky.”
“What’s to prevent you from turning me over to the Roman once you’ve finished?” William asked.
The priest raised his voice, as if he were in earnest. “You seem to forget who we are. Our goal is to save human life, not destroy it. We wouldn’t hand you over to the Roman or to any other vampyre, if you were human.
“If you agree to these terms, you too will save life—the lives of your citizens and the lives of my men. And Raven will be protected. I swear to you, I will keep her safe. And I will not let my brethren destroy you.”
The Prince rubbed his chin in agitation. “If I were to accept those terms, I’d want them written in a treaty that would be signed and circulated. I don’t want you marching on Florence after I’m deposed.”
“No,” Raven objected. “You can’t put your trust in an exorcism. It’s like placing your life in the hands of a magic trick. What makes you think it will work?”
“There will be no treachery,” the priest said, ignoring her characterization. “I will have the terms drawn up, and you may march a detachment of your soldiers to a neutral location. We’ll sign the treaty and end the war before the troops arrive.”
“Allow me time to consider your terms. You shall have my answer in half an hour.” William ended the call.
His eyes moved to his head of security. “Give us a moment.”
Gregor bowed and left the room.
“William, Father said himself they’ve never performed an exorcism on an old one.”
“It offers us a chance, with the added value of saving my city.”
“What if they kill you?” Raven’s body began to tremble.
“Then I’ll be dead. But you will be safe and so will the city.”
“It’s too high a cost.” She grabbed his arm.
William hung his head. He covered his eyes with his hand.
At length, he opened his eyes. “You were the one who taught me to hope, Cassita. The priest is offering me hope, hope that we can both survive this. I have to consider it.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
GENERAL VALE STARED at the Prince of Florence, his face impassive. The two leaders stood on opposite sides of a wide, wooden table, on which rested a few sheets of printed paper.
The General had already signed the treaty, on order of the Superior General.
The Prince held the pen in his hand. “If this treaty is violated, my troops have orders to strike.”
“Noted,” the General replied gruffly.
“You may have ousted me, but you still have the Roman to contend with. I’ve sent him a copy of the treaty. He will see it upheld.”
“You’re escaping with your life, which is far better than you deserve.”
“The opportunity to kill has not been taken away from you entirely,” the Prince growled. “I’ve revealed the identities of the vampyres responsible for the death of the policeman.”
“General,” Father Kavanaugh interjected. He stepped forward, facing the Prince. “Peace is in all of our interests. The General knows this.”
The Prince lowered his voice, addressing the priest. “And I have your word?”