Page 43 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Delore had gathered leaders from all over France, to provide Vic with his largest audience yet. And once more, dissenting, doubting voices had been silenced when confronted by the evidence.

Well, most of them. Vic had a feeling he could’ve put together a comprehensive document detailing all the evidence they possessed, and it would still not have been enough forsome of them. Hell, if they had video of the atrocities being committed, that still wouldn’t sway them.

“There are those among us who say that shifters originated in Europe,” Delore stated.

“I’d heard that.” He smiled. “It might even have been here. The Carolingian dynasty ruled here in the eight hundreds, after all, making it one of the oldest countries in Europe.”

“And does your knowledge of shifter history go back that far?”

Vic had to admit the deficit in his archives. “There’s still so much we don’t know, but we’re learning more every day. I’m not sure we’ll ever have a complete archive, but at least we’re trying.”

“And what about the Gerans? How far back do your archives go where they are concerned? What do you know of their existence?”

“Only that they came to be after the split between the brothers, about a thousand years ago, some say, and that there’s been a chasm between us ever since.” It was all Vic needed to know.

Then he realized Delore had gone quiet.

Not only that, he was gazing at Vic in such a thoughtful way that Vic’s curiosity was aroused.

“What have I said?”

Delore tilted his head to one side. “Where is your next destination?”

“I’m on a flight to Rome tonight. I meet with Italian leaders tomorrow.” And after that, it would be Eastern Europe, and after that, Russia, then China….

He’d get home eventually, but not until he’d traveled around the world at least once.Thank God for the invention of flight.

A close second was the internet. Vic lived for his nightly Snapchats.

“You know how Ancient Rome was founded?”

Vic nodded. “According to legend, two brothers—and demigods—Romulus and Remus, had an argument over who would rule the city. Romulus killed Remus and named the city after himself, in April, 753 BCE.” Vic smiled. “Yet another argument between brothers. Something shifter history has in common with human history.”

“Perhaps.” Before Vic could tell him there was no perhaps about it, Delore continued. “Might I suggest that while you’re in Rome, you make time to visit the Castel Sant’Angelo. Have you heard of it?”

“Yes, but”—Vic frowned—“I don’t have time to go to a museum. This isn’t a sightseeing trip.”

“The Castel Sant’Angelo was built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Hadrian, and later various popes used it as a fortress and castle. And yes, while itisa museum,” Delore said, staring at him, “it is also the repository for the oldest known shifter documents of our history. The archivist Luciano Orsini maintains the collection, which contains artifacts from all over the world.”

Vic knew the name Orsini, as did every oral historian. “I’ve always wanted to meet him,” he confessed.

“Then make the time,” Delore urged. “But….”

“There’s a but?”

Delore squared his shoulders. “You need to be prepared.”

“For what?” Delore’s enigmatic words had piqued his interest.

“To have your beliefs challenged.”

Vic stilled. “Which beliefs are we talking about?”

Delore waved his hand. “Perhaps all of them. But I’ll say no more. You’ll understand when you see the collection and talk to Orsini. By the way, I’ll contact the museum and tell them to expect you. I wouldn’t want them to mistake you for a tourist.” He glanced toward the table. “And now I need to continue thework you have begun here. I’ll talk to Aelryn. He will have our support.”

“Good luck.”

Vic had a feeling Delore was going to need it.

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