Dante? What was he talking about? How did he know Dante?
‘All I did was follow him and there you were – right before my eyes, right before everyone’s eyes, but we were so dazzled by the gold, by the beautiful Signorina Dorata, that no-one saw what was in front of their eyes. Only Dante, the lovesick fool.’
My heart began to race. What was this man talking about? Who was he? I could see now he was a Bond Rider. He mentioned Katina. But Dante? Dante was dead … How could Dante know that I was Signorina Dorata?
‘Who are you?’
The sword came up under my chin, forcing my head back. The man laughed and again, his blade sliced my flesh. By now I was pressed hard against the wall. His body rested against mine. I could feel its strength. I swallowed nervously. If only I could touch him, get him to look at me, but my hands were caught behind my back. His strange eyes would not focus, couldn’t. And, when they did, he was seeing something or someone else. He was like a man possessed.
‘I figured out what to do,’ he continued, oblivious to the pain he was inflicting or else celebrating it. I stayed still, but began to ease my hands out from behind my back, scraping them as I did. I saw how you use this gate, this entrance. I knew if I waited you’d appear. You’re the star of Carnivale; of course the Doge would have you at his ball. I knew and I was right. Stefano thinks I’m stupid – they all do, you know. But I’m not. I’ve outsmarted her – I’ve outwitted Katina this time. She is going to be very angry when she finds out.’
‘What makes you so sure of that?’ I asked through gritted teeth.
His eyes widened and he gave me a mocking laugh. ‘Because it will ruin her Obbligare Doppio.’ He lowered his weapon slightly.
Her what? A double bind? What was that? I knew I had to pretend to know what he was talking about.
‘Really? Well, good. I hate her. So do what you have to do.’
This time he was surprised. He pushed himself away from me and the sword shifted. It was now poised over my breast. I tried to ignore it, but the tip of the blade sank into the fabric of my dress. At least my hands were free. I kept them motionless by my sides.
‘Why do you hate her?’
‘She killed my love.’
He frowned and then his face cleared. ‘You mean Dante? He’s not dead.’
I thought my heart had stopped. ‘What?’ A great roar sounded in my ears. I saw this man’s mouth move, but I didn’t hear what he was saying. The door blew shut behind him. I barely noticed. Dante’s not dead? He’s alive? Where is he? Oh my love, my dearest. My heart filled. I wanted to cry out, to find him, now, this minute.
The smell of vino brought me back to the present. To where I was, to who I was. To the danger I was in. Who was this madman? No, my heart screamed. No!
‘I killed him. At least I thought I had.’
I stared at this staggering drunk man. I’d had enough of him and his senseless babbling, his threats, his stench. Waiting until he was lost in some sort of reverie, I gave him a huge shove in the chest. He stumbled back and his head hit the wall. I stepped forward and wrenched the door open. Rain pelted me in the face, but I could see the small pier, the striped paline and, bobbing alongside it, a gondola. I began to run. Only, as I drew closer, I saw with horror it wasn’t the Maleovellis’ craft. I slowed down as two shadows emerged from the felze, leaping onto the dock. With a wave of relief, I saw the first was Baroque. He reached behind him and held out a hand, hauling the other person onto the dock. A tall man with big shoulders and glossy dark hair.
‘Tallow!’ cried a voice. My heart swelled. I stopped in my tracks. My body began to shake as feelings I had denied myself for months flooded into every fibre of my being, filling me with hope and longing. Where they came from, I didn’t know. But they entered with such force, I was almost thrown off my feet. My knees buckled, my lips began to say his name over