His gloved hand dropped lightly to the hilt of his sword as he took another step forward, forcing her backward. His other hand raised the staff. Ravenna held up her hand, fingers spread wide. A tremor ran through her, the magic inside her stirring at her rising emotion. Her fear. “Don’t come any closer.”
Once again, he extended the envelope to her. “Thentakeit.”
Ravenna hastily stepped forward. She took the letter and told herself to calm down, to breathe in deep through her nose. The magic inside her stilled, like water in a millpond. The courier tilted his head, dark brows knitting together. His gaze flickered over her, seeminglythroughher.
“Interessant,” he murmured.
His close assessment unnerved her. “What is?”
But he was apparently done with his examination. “You’re wasting time. Read it.”
Her attention dropped to the name,her name, written across the back. Her fingers shook as she tore open the envelope and pulled out the note. Moonlight swept over them, but even so, she had to squint to make out the words. A strange sound made her look up toward the courier. He’d spun the staff once more, but this time a glimmering spire-like crystal shone, the golden light growing brighter by the second.
He hadfiveof the pietra magiche embedded in his staff. Whoever he was, he was very powerful.
“Better?” he drawled.
“Yes,” she said quietly, awestruck. “Not just a courier, then.”
The man was awizard.
She’d never met one before. Wizards were a rare breed; it was said that every time they used magic, it stole from their life, cutting it down by hours, days, depending on the spell. Most men who had the ability opted never to engage with magic at all, preferring to live instead.
“Isn’t that dangerous for you?” she couldn’t help but ask.
He flashed her a humorless grin, white teeth gleaming in the pale light. “If it were, then you’d be wasting my time. Read the letter, Ravenna.”
How did His Holiness know who she was? How had he known her name? Curious, Ravenna dipped her head and read the lines. She blinked, horrified, and read the letter again. Over and over, hardly comprehending the message.
Signorina Ravenna,
Congratulations for your triumph in the competition.
An execrable wrong has grown in Florence and I am in need of pious servants who will help me put to death this intractable evil. Florentines have been infected with greed, a lust for magic, and the spirit of rebellion. I write to you during these tempestuous times in demand of your service. I have learned of your capture, and while it grieves me greatly, you must remain under their control.
The Luni famiglia is not only my enemy, but the enemy of Rome.
They are actively working against me and hatching a plot to destroy my Holy Seat. This is crucial, signorina, but you mustfailin the work you’ve been hired to complete. Whatever their plot, it must not succeed. You will be my eyes within the palazzo walls, gathering crucial information from their influential friends and allies.
Should you need sanctuary away from the Palazzo dei Luni, bring this letter with you. My associates in Florence will keep you hidden, provided you show proof of my seal. Unite with me and complete this sacred taskfor the Lord your God. If you do not, I will have to assume you are also my enemy. If that is so, then the punishment is excommunication, for not only you, but your family, and all of Volterra.
She looked up at the courier with wide eyes. “What is the meaning of this?”
“Will it be a problem?”
“It’simpossible,” she sputtered. “This is a mistake.He’smaking a mistake. I’m not a spy. How will I—”
“His Holiness doesn’t make mistakes.”
Her protests fell silent, and a new terror reached for her, threatening to carve a hole in the ground where it might bury her. What she had just said bordered on blasphemy. No one was allowed to question the pope, not if they valued their life. Not if they cared where their soul would spend eternity in the afterlife. “Of course not, it’s only… there has to be someone else.”
“You’re uniquely suited.”
She shook her head. He only thought that because he didn’t know about her secret. “I promise you, I’m not—”
“And I promise you,” he began coldly, “that I won’t hesitate to drag your family through hell and back if that’s what it will take for you to do the job. Is that clear enough for you?”
The magic inside her roared to life, wanting escape. Ravenna wrapped her arms around herself, desperately trying to contain the onslaught of power roiling through her. Her body shook from the effort.
