be right. Do you understand? I want to know who they see, where they go and, above all, I want to know when they find the Estrattore. Am I clear?’
‘Very clear, Elder Nicolotti,’ said Santo, bowing his head again.
Elder Nicolotti considered the Rider carefully. He was still young and, though physically imposing, not very smart. He would have preferred to use Stefano for this mission, but the man had only a few crossings left. The adoration Santo felt for Stefano had proved very useful before and it might do so again, but without the disastrous consequences of their last task. That they’d lost the Estrattore had rocked his plans and shaken the confidence of his peers. It could not happen again. This was their last chance, his last chance.
Elder Nicolotti could read Santo’s insecurity and his desperation to prove his worth. It accompanied him like a bad smell. It was inscribed on his face and in the apprehensive looks he cast at Stefano. How Stefano could bear to have this … this peasant snapping at his heels all the time was beyond him. But then, shame was a great burden that Stefano had carried for years; it had coloured all his relationships, all his actions. It turned real triumphs into perceived failures. For Stefano, Santo was not only someone with whom he could share the guilt and even attribute his failure to, but he was like one of the Church’s hair-shirts – a living punishment – that Stefano chose to wear.
The hatred Santo Pelleta bore for Katina Maggiore, Stefano’s one-time lover, was a wonderful convenience. It suited Nicolotti’s purposes well. Little did Katina’s relative know when he forced this candlemaker to pledge over a broken colleganza all those years ago that it would bind Santo to a plot to free the Bond Riders – and that it would create an opportunity for Casa Nicolotti to rise to power beyond Serenissima and even Vista Mare.
Elder Nicolotti’s eyes narrowed as he studied the two men. ‘Then say your goodbyes now. Do not fail me. Remember who you’re pledged to, Santo Pelleta. You too, Stefano Maggiore. This is no time for error. No time for failure – only success. The time to fulfil your Bonds and free the Bond Riders from their curse once and for all, and give us a future worth living for has arrived.’ His voice deepened and rose, ringing with passion, bouncing off the stone walls and echoing around the chamber.
‘Now go and do that for which we have all waited many lifetimes.’ As Stefano and Santo fell to their knees, Elder Nicolotti touched the tops of their heads, his palms hot, his energy vibrating through their bodies. Releasing them, he spun on his heels and, without another word, disappeared into the tunnels.
SANTO WAITED UNTIL HE COULD no longer hear footsteps before raising his head and turning to Stefano. ‘I wish we were able to do this together instead of being separated.’ Slightly unsteady, he stood up and brushed the dirt from his breeches. Stefano eased himself to his feet and did the same without speaking. Santo waited till he’d finished and then reached over and pushed the hair off Stefano’s face. ‘Nicolotti’s right. This is your chance to remove the stain from your house and, in the process, get rid of the Estrattore once and for all.’
Stefano’s eyes narrowed. ‘We had that chance before, remember? Only last time we were together didn’t go so well. This separation is for the best.’
Santo frowned at Stefano’s tone.
Stefano jerked his head in the direction that the Elder had taken. ‘Just remember what Nicolotti said. Don’t try to do anything foolish this time – no dramatics. All you need to do is keep an eye on them and report to me.’
Santo took a step back. ‘I know what I have to do. I don’t need you to tell me too. I’m not stupid.’
Stefano’s eyes glittered in the shadows. He didn’t respond.
‘I know you’d rather be the one returning, that this is a chance for you to complete your Bond – what with Katina so vulnerable and all.’
‘You really don’t listen, do you?’ Stefano blew out air in exasperation. ‘Let me spell it out for you. Even if I were going, I couldn’t fulfil my pledge. Katina’s –’ he hissed her name ‘– made sure of that, hasn’t she? Until her Obbligare Doppio is complete, none of us can do a damn thing except hang around and hurt. As for me, I’ve got