Page 9 of Sin of the Saints

Flap.

Pain.

Flap.

Ring.

A thousand curses upon them, they can all go to hell.

Flap.

Pain.

A long breath until I manage to open my eyes.

I’d started practicing a few days ago, and I’m grateful for my persistence. I assume that at some point I’ll have to use my wings, and I believe they’ll be very useful to me, so I’ve got to get used to them being a part of me. But my body refuses to cooperate, and I have to fight it too until it gives in to my demands.

I don’t try to mess with the bell again, and as a result I’m rewarded with ghosting on the part of the Council members.Thank God for that, at least,I think, considering that His fortune shines upon me at least in this one lousy aspect of my chaotic life. But I’m no fool, I know that when they’re not hovering over me, they’re trying to solve their problem – which is, of course, me.

I hear the sound of the door unlocking behind me, jump to my feet and raise my fists in the air. As if that’ll help me, I’m powerless as long as the damned collar is around my neck.

I freeze as I recognize Valentina coming into my room, holding a jug with crimson liquid and a wine glass.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…” I mumble, stunned.

“Believe me, I’m no less surprised, Belle.” Her tone is venomous and I note that she’s avoiding eye contact.

I carefully approach, reaching a hand out to her. “Valentina—”

“Don’t!” She raises a hand in the air, and I shrink back. Okay, that’s only fair. Millions of broken words and sentences run through my mind.I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I know she was important to you. I lost it. And as a result you lost her…But I can’t get a sound out of my throat. “My father considers it a great honor to work directly for the Council, and I guess I’ll have to settle for that,” she says one thing but her expression is saying something else altogether.

“Then I’m happy for you,” I reply, and she lets out a derisive snort.

“Spare me the phony niceties.”

“I know them very well, that wasn’t what I meant.” I take a step towards her, and when I notice she’s not pulling back I place a hand on her shoulder. Her muscles tense.

“It’s funny,” she whispers, her gaze darting to the camera. “I was sent because they thought I’d be immune to your sexual power. If they only knew what we did, and how far I am from being able to withstand you…” She finally looks right at me, and her eyes are deep, dark abysses. Startled, I pull my hand back. She chuckles in response. “Don’t worry, I’ve got enough of a grudge and anger towards you to really resist all this.” She uses a finger to indicate my body. I still don’t know why I affect everyone around me this way. I can’t help wondering if what I had with Bar was because he gave in to that same influence, if it was all some spell that overtook his mind and nothing about it was real. “Anyway,” Valentina clears her throat, “this is for you, from the head of the Council. Eat up.”

She places the jug and the wine glass on my dresser, and leaves.

I examine the crimson fluid. Libretto’s nauseating stench rises from it, sullying my room. I put my hand into the jug, and when I remove it the blood pours down the lines of my hand and stains my white dress. I examine his blood: thick, packed, heavy. Almost like the weight of Lilith’s memories I now carry. I hold my head high, my hand reaches out on its own and scrawls a string of words on the wallpaper, the words Lilith whispers inside me.

“Damn you, Lilith!” I hear Libretto’s fury erupt from the speaker that suddenly comes to life.

I raise my gaze to the camera and smile with satisfaction.

Come on, Ashmedai. I’m ready for whatever you’ve got.

But then a powerful electric shock hits me, I seize uncontrollably and I lose my grip on everything.

Chapter Six

Bartimaeus

I’ve been summoned to the Pope’s private quarters. It’s always intimidating, but when I know the reason for the invitation I’m more tense and stressed than ever.

I knock on the third floor door, not waiting for a response, opening it and stepping into his apartment, also known as the ‘Appartamento Nobile’. It looks more like a presidential suite at the heart of the papal palace. The apartment was moved to the third floor, the highest and closest to the Divine, because in addition to the aspect of the Holy Trinity, the ghost of the Pope who led the church over a century ago still haunts the second floor.

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