on Clavius’ face made me feel a tiny bit better about him. Even if he was involved in Samuel’s plot, perhaps he was not such an evil person. “I am so sorry about this. But…those are old scars. What game are you playing?”
“They are very fresh. Elena has the power to heal. But that is not important right now. Do you know what Samuel wanted from us?” Vittorio asked.
Clavius did not answer.
“Do you know he recently stole a valuable item?”
Again, no answer.
“Usually, when people don’t answer, it means they have something to hide. What are you hiding?” I asked.
“How dare you question me? You are not even in full control of your power, yet you deign to question the Sacerdote of a coven which you hope to join? You should show a little more respect. What Vittorio doesn’t know, is I can easily remove him as La Guardia, and banish him from the coven.”
“I only have my coven’s best interests in mind. Have I not served you loyally?”
“You have, but Samuel has been loyal, as well. Samuel understands my need.”
“What need is that?” Vittorio asked.
“The need of my wife!” Clavius shouted, pounding his fists on the table.
The few other patrons turned to stare, forks halfway to their mouths.
“I am sorry Aerin is gone,” Vittorio said softly. “I understand your pain.”
“How could you? Who have you ever lost that would let you understand my pain?”
“I thought I would lose Elena when Samuel kidnapped and tortured her.”
“It is not the same. You do not understand.”
“Perhaps not, but I can try to imagine.”
“You cannot! Samuel understands.”
“His mother,” Vittorio stated.
“What does he believe this spell will do?” I looked around and realized all the other patrons had left. That struck me as odd, but I didn’t have time to worry about it just then.
“He is only trying to obtain it for me. I believe it will give me eternal youth and unlimited power,” Clavius said.
“And what are you going to do with that power?” I asked, tired of being ignored.
“Get my wife back.” His voice cracked with painful emotions.
“You think there is a spell to bring people back to life?” I failed to keep the derision from my voice.
“It must! I cannot live without her!”
“You’re putting an awful lot of stock into something you don’t even know will work. No one knows if I can translate the text.”
“You could try.” Clavius started at me, tears glistening in his eyes.
“I will not put Elena’s life in danger. Attempting to translate an ancient spell could kill her if she isn’t gifted with the power.”
“You say that as if you had a choice.”
The air was thicker, harder to breathe. I tried to strengthen my shields against whatever Clavius was about to do. A blast of energy so powerful I never could have kept it out overtook me at that moment, and I lost consciousness.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
I woke tied to a chair, hands tied behind my back, and thought, “Dear god, not again.” It took a few minutes for the fuzziness to wear off, and when it did, I realized I was back in the basement of Samuel’s father’s house.
Vittorio was bound in the same position on the other side of the room. No one else was around.
“Vittorio,” I whispered.
He didn’t move, still unconscious. How was it that I recovered from the blast of power before he did? I looked down at my chest, and saw a power-blocking amulet similar to the one from the last time I was captive around my neck. Crap. Vittorio wore one, too. Double crap. We were defenseless. I wiggled my wrists, hoping to be able to loosen the rope. I kept trying, and eventually shifted the rope around so I could reach it with my fingers. I picked at it, not really thinking I would be able to loosen it, but determined to keep trying. What else was I going to do?
As I struggled with the rope, Vittorio moved. “Are you okay?” I asked.
“I think so,” he said, voice unsteady. “How long have you been awake?”
“Ten minutes or so. I was worried when I woke and you were still out. How did I recover before you?”
“I do not know. It may be that your power is stronger than mine. But that is not to worry about now.” He blinked a few time then looked around, realized where we were and that we both wore amulets. “This is not good.”
“I’m trying to loosen the rope around my hands right now. I’m not getting anywhere