Free The Shades of Time by Diane Nelson

filthy, arms and legs stained
with unmentionable substances. Her generous breasts hung like
savaged globes, scarred, reddish-purple splotches a roadmap of
lustful mouths hungering for a feast. She carried the remains of
her gown over her left arm, unconcerned about her nakedness and
vulnerability.
    "Padre," she
croaked weakly. "Have you come to save me?"
    Andreas
hesitated, unsure how to proceed. The resemblance to Veluria was
uncanny. And there was no mistaking that this pitiful creature had
been in contact with her, and not that long ago.
    Remembering the
role he played, he said with false kindness and concern, "Of
course, my daughter." When he asked if she wished him to call the
authorities, he was not surprised the creature objected strongly.
"Then tell me your name and explain what has brought you to this
heinous state."
    "Giovanna,
Father." Trembling she sank to the stone floor and attempted to
cover herself with the wisp of fabric.
    With difficulty
he managed to prise sufficient details to piece together the
evening's chain of events. He stared at the whore with interest.
Apparently with her help, Veluria had shaken off the Demon de'
Medici and his fop of a brother. How or why that had transpired was
of little consequence.
    "Father?"
    The woman had
finally turned her ravaged face toward him with a look that pleaded
for … what? Comfort, absolution?
    He murmured the
first words that came to mind, "You have done well. The Lord will
reward you in the next life, most generously."
    Through swollen lips, she hasped, " I
want what is due me now. I have no use for eternity."
    He admired her
defiance, her understanding that eternity, and the empty promises
thereof, had little to do with the here and now. She was wise
beyond her station. Payment now, let the Church and its God worry
about the hereafter. He had just the solution.
    "Capisco,
figlia." Andreas held his growing excitement in check, but barely.
"But I must ask you to do one thing for me."
    "No. I have
done enough," she pointed to hideous, angry welts along the inside
of her thighs, "I can do no more."
    Andreas purred
in soothing intonations as he advanced slowly, fearful he might
spook her into bolting. Carefully removing the remains of the
dress, he set it aside, then stroked her hair, letting his fingers
tangle in the dark strands. She cringed and drew away from his
touch.
    "Bend over," he
husked, parting his robe.
    " Vi prego, per favore,
no ."
    Andreas lifted
her hips to receive his offering, his cock thick and eager to dive
into her depths. It had been an eternity since he'd availed himself
of such pleasure. That this vessel carried the essence of the one
thing he desired above all others made it that much sweeter. He
drove deep, to the hilt, then withdrew slowly, savoring the
sensation. Slow, loving thrusts—each accompanied by a throaty moan
of 'no, no, no' echoing weakly off the stone walls.
    " Tranquillo, figlia. Sono
quasi . You will soon receive your just
reward."
    As the tide
released his passion, he grasped her hair and roughly jerked her
head back, driving deeper and coming on a single swell and a
rasping moan of "Veluria" as he smoothly drew the blade across the
whore's throat.
    " Riposa in pace,
figlia ." Andreas lowered the limp body
carefully to the stone floor and adjusted his robes. He saluted the
still figure with the crucifix, intoning last rites, then backed
away and began the long climb up the torturous tunnel.
    Pausing at the
entrance, he quickly scanned the dark street, his senses at full
alert. His beloved would be on the run from the Medicis. In her
shoes, he might have done the same thing, given what powerful
adversaries they were. Their training, the careful adherence to
bloodlines, uncommon intelligence combined with luck and a devotion
to family unmatched by any of the Great Houses of the time—all that
and more made them formidable indeed.
    But the Demon
was something else entirely. His powers, and his alone, could
terminate his