I sit back, reminded of the quote from John Stuart Mill that came into my head that first night we docked near Civitavecchia, which I promptly share with the group: “‘Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.’”
Cec slaps his thigh. “That’s precisely why we’re here, Hawkins. Throughout its history, the order has been neither the good nor the bad, only the vital anchor between them.”
I hold up a hand. “One could argue you were the bad at the height of it. And you can’t deny you all have a deeply-rooted savior complex, altruistic as you believe it to be.”
I’m met with silence, which is all the answer I need. The supposed purpose of the order is to protect the knowledge of the world, by any means necessary. And while I don’t doubt they want to stop the Third Reich, who knows what else may have triggered this need to bring supernatural artifacts into their protection, effectively ripping them away from their cultures. They’re clearly willing to do whatever it takes, and damn the consequences.
I can’t decide yet what I’m personally willing to do to stop these fascists.
“Wait, did you just call it…”—I think the words before saying them—“the order? How were you able to do that with your blood oath?”
“As long as we don’t mention the actual name, we’re safe,” Cec explains.
“Good to know,” I mutter.
Once we’re on even ground, Bes steps out again, keeping a lookout for passersby.
I turn back to Cec. “On a scale of one to ten, one being a walk in the park, and ten being locked in a room with one of the God Men and no weapon, how dangerous is this going to be?”
“Somewhere between going to a relative’s house without bringing a dish,” Cec explains, “and adopting a feral cat.”
“I honestly can’t tell which one of those is worse.”
“It’s going to be dangerous no matter what,” Anders cuts in. “But the level of danger is moot. Despite this being an unsanctioned mission”—he glances into the back, unable to meet Cec’s eyes—“I agree that three days was too long to wait. We may very well be the only thing standing in the way of Hitler getting his hands on the Arma Christi and gaining whatever powers they possess.”
That stops me. “Are we in over our heads?”
“There’s a very good chanceyoumight be,” Cec answers honestly. “The three of us have been trained for this. This is our purpose.”
Seems I’ve hit a nerve.This is starting to feel like an ill-conceived sales pitch.
I sigh as Bes slips back inside. “So dramatic.”
“Who’s being dramatic?” Bes wonders while Anders pivots the car around the privacy bushes.
“Give one guess.”
Cec grins. “I would’ve thought you’d be used to it by now.”
“Seems you can still surprise me.”
Once we’re rolling along the streets of Breno, I crank my window down and fill my lungs with fresh air. The first glimpse of sunlight in days blesses us with its presence when it crests over a vale in the Dolomites.Ah, sweet freedom, I have missed thee.Until now, I didn’t know how much I needed to be physically free of that place. I’m not sure how they live down there. I crave the sun.
Hurrying along the cobblestone, I imagine my mother walking these same streets decades ago. Somehow, this is the closest I’ve ever felt to her. It’s a strange sentiment, though not unwelcome. In truth, I’ve never felt akin to her, but now… I feel closer than ever before.
I watch the buildings for any sign of movement.It’s soemptyhere. Most Italians sleep late, but still. Dejection pricks at my heart. I hate how petrified Italy is. How Mussolini has stifled such a vibrant, lively culture. The club was evidence enough: an unhealthy dose of fear has turned this country and its people into a shell of what they once were.
Eventually, I can’t bear the silence.
“Will this be anything like our trip to the club?”
Bes flinches, likely remembering the carnage inside Club Sotterraneo, same as me.
“Let’s hope not. However, there may be a time where we need to improvise.” He turns around in his seat to look at me. “In which case, I need you to promise me you’ll follow my lead. No matter what that lead may be.”
“I promise to do my best.”
Grimacing, he shifts back wordlessly.
