Free The Blessed by Lisa T. Bergren Page B

decades. Tides had climbed and waves washed over walls and breakwaters until the whole city thought they would drown, as if God intended to wipe them all away. What had Amidei done to her in those weeks of imprisonment? Had he dared to whip the Duchess as he had her freed man and friend?
    Hasani moved below him, the heavy chain links dragging behind him. Cardinal Boeri shifted in agitation. This was what chafed at him. If he objected to Amidei holding Hasani, using him to try to persuade Lady Daria to turn, was he any different in holding the man to try to use him to gain the Gifted’s good graces?
    He swallowed hard. Of course it was different. Of course. Not similar at all. Amidei had only evil intentions. All the cardinal wanted was good—for the Gifted, for the Church itself. A comparison was preposterous. Preposterous.

Provence
    DARKNESS was upon them. Lord Devenue, long without tallow or wick, had lived in dark halls, dependent upon the sun to aid him with warmth and light. Fortunately Anette had packed a crate of candles of every size, as well as a good number of cloths to make torches. Daria rounded a corner, heading toward Lord Devenue’s quarters, and walked down a long, narrow hallway, alight with three torches.
    A cold draft, more than a wind, swept through, making the torches flicker until Daria wondered if they would be snuffed out entirely, and then it reached her, so bitterly cold it was as if it carried snow, stealing her very breath. She coughed and looked up.
    And stared into the eyes of Abramo Amidei.
    Amidei smiled, but made no move forward.
    She screamed, and Gianni and Vito were beside her within three breaths, swords drawn.
    â€œDaria? Daria, what is it?” Gianni asked, turning her toward him. Ugo and Basilio reached the top of the stairs, Tessa hard on their heels.
    â€œHe is here. The dark one,” Tessa said, panting, eyes wide as they searched the hall.
    â€œInside?” Gianni shouted, shoving Daria behind him. “Where did you see him, Daria? Where?” he snapped back at her, moving forward.
    â€œThere,” Daria whispered, backing up until the cold wall met her back. “He was down the hall, by Lord Devenue’s room.” The men moved forward as a group, leaving Tessa and Daria behind them.
    â€œNot there, darling,” whispered Amidei, lowly in her ear. Daria whirled and Tessa screamed. “Here, I am here,” he whispered again, now in her other ear. Daria turned quickly and Gianni came running.
    But Piero was already beside her. He placed small hands on her shoulders. “Daria,” he said, shaking her slightly. “Daria!”
    She glanced at him, eyes wild.
    He pulled Tessa to him with one arm and then forced the child’s face up to look at him. She was as crazed with fear as her mistress. “It is naught but an apparition. Amidei’s dark magic, nothing more. He is not truly here!”
    Vito arrived back at the end of the hall, Lord Devenue by his side. He shook his head at Gianni. Nothing. No one.
    â€œHe was here,” Daria said, almost shouting. “I felt him.”
    â€œAs did I! I was certain of it,” Tessa said.
    â€œI experienced something similar once,” Gianni said, drawing Daria into his arms, cradling her head beneath his chin. “He is powerful, in his magic. I almost cut a man down, as I whirled upon Amidei. But he was naught but smoke.”
    â€œListen to me,” Piero said, still staring at woman and girl. “This mansion now houses more than twenty-five men who will do everything to keep you safe.”
    â€œBut how does one stop a man who moves in smoke?” Daria whispered.
    â€œHe wants to interfere. He knows why we are now present here, at Lord Devenue’s mansion. If he can stop you from healing the lord, he can consider a battle won. We beat him, Daria, sorely, on his own dark isle. We must beat him back here. Quickly, Daria. You go to the lord and be about