ignored him. ‘What are you thinking?’ he hissed at Hafeza. ‘How could you, after everything my father has done, everything Giaconda has given you? How could you betray them, tonight of all nights? The moment everything we’ve been planning comes to a head and you would ruin it! You bitch!’ With every word, he came closer and closer to Hafeza, pushing her in the chest. She stumbled into the wall, tripping over Pillar.
Jacopo followed closely, kicking Pillar out of his way. ‘You choose to help that –’ he spat at Pillar’s side ‘– instead of the family that has given you a roof over your head, taken you in? You don’t deserve to look after Giaconda, you don’t deserve to be part of this casa, not anymore.’ He lifted the torch and leaned into Hafeza, his nose almost touching hers.
Hafeza was backed against the stone wall, her hands trapped behind her. She could not push Jacopo away, she could not fend for herself.
‘And I am going to give you what you deserve.’ Jacopo raised the knife in the air.
Hafeza tried to scream, to protect herself. She managed to free an arm just as the knife came down, just as the torch was knocked out of Jacopo’s hands and fell to the floor. Jacopo shouted and a great weight fell against her and pain exploded in her side. She thrust at the body that pinned her to the wall, trying to free herself.
It was gone. There was a great groan followed by a thud and the sound of flesh hitting stone.
‘Hafeza, are you all right?’ It was Pillar. She tried to make reassuring noises. ‘I can’t find the torch.’
Hafeza took a deep breath, her hand pressed tightly to her side. She bent down and searched, her fingers wrapping around the wood. She lifted it off the ground and, as the wind blew, it spluttered back to life.
Lying at her feet was Jacopo. The knife she’d given Pillar was sticking out of his back. His eyes were wide, unfocused. His mouth opened and closed like a fish out of its element, struggling to survive. She was not sorry. There was blood everywhere. It was even on her hands, trickling between her fingers as she gripped the torch.
She stepped over Jacopo’s body and tugged at Pillar’s shirt. He bent and, turning Jacopo over slightly, drew the knife out of him. With a cry, Jacopo’s head rolled to the side and his eyes closed. He was still.
‘I may need this,’ said Pillar, wiping the blood on Jacopo’s hose.
Hafeza nodded, then hesitated. Closer to the stairs, she could hear the rain. She glanced at Pillar’s shirt. It too had blood on it. He could not roam the calles with those stains upon him. Not with the Signori di Notte about.
Bending back over Jacopo, she wrestled his cape from under him. It was sticky with blood, but at least the dark material made it difficult to detect and it would keep the worst of the elements at bay. Understanding what she was doing, Pillar helped. Once it was free, she draped it over Pillar’s shoulders. Then she thrust her hands in Jacopo’s pockets and pulled out his purse. She placed it in Pillar’s hands. He didn’t argue. He nodded grimly and shoved it in a pocket.
Holding hands, they climbed the stairs, Hafeza slowing as they reached the top. Out in the rain, she led him across the courtyard to the gate that led out into the calle. Fumbling with the latch, she managed to open it. Pillar stood still, lifting his face to the rain, opening his mouth and allowing the moisture to fall in. Hafeza watched him. In the strange, glowing light, she could see his features more clearly. Thin, he had a long, regal nose, an unkempt beard and gentle eyes. His voice too was kind as he spoke.
‘I cannot thank you enough for this, Hafeza.’ He took her face in his hands. ‘I know you will look after Tallow. I know what she has become. Please, if you can pass her a message?’
Hafeza nodded, aware of how this man’s hands on her face made her feel. Safe, warm, cared about.
‘Tell her I have not abandoned her. Tell her I love her and I will be back for her. That I promise.’
Not wanting to, Hafeza pulled at his hands. She shook her head. No, no! He had no time to waste; he must help Tarlo now! How could she make him understand?
Letting her go,