Cavalieri?”
“Yes, cavalieri. My Italian is fluent.”
“Cassia was also certain that the household had Human
visitors.” Javier added
“Fuck, Empaths and Humans…I’ve never liked that
combination…” muttered LaSalle, “If ransoming you was their plan Javier, they
would have been disappointed. We never ever pay ransoms. We would have found
you and got you out.” He leaned forward in his chair and addressed Flavia.
“Mademoiselle Flavia, you were in that house for
almost three weeks. Did you hear anything, notice anything that may help us?
Take your time.” His voice was gentle and Flavia sat up and looked in his
direction, her deep blue eyes wide and unfocused. Cassia watched as the men’s
expressions softened, even Gabriel Bathory. This always happened with Flavia.
There was something about her delicate fragile beauty that made men want to
fight dragons or lay down their cloaks for her to step over or go on quests. As
for herself, well she usually made men want to throttle her. She didn’t mind,
not much.
“They left me very much to myself and I was quite glad
about that.” said Flavia;
“They brought me regular meals and allowed me to
listen to music. After a few days Cassia brought me my guitar and I would sing.
Well, it relieved the boredom and kept my mind off things. Then one of them
asked me if I would go downstairs in the evening and play or recite. So I did. They
didn’t touch me and I suppose they assumed that because I can’t see they were
safe. They also assumed that because I can’t see I wouldn’t be able to hear or
understand anything either. That happens sometimes you know.”
“They were wrong though weren’t they querida?” said
Javier
Flavia smiled dazzlingly in his direction;
“Completely. I listened carefully. Cassia is right,
there were Humans there, I could smell them. They deferred to the Empaths. But
when the Humans weren’t there the Empaths deferred to their leader. I have a
feeling they were following orders from someone much more important. They spoke
a lot of Italian. Oh, and once someone commented that the knights of the dagger
had only one of their main weapons left but that would soon be remedied.”
Gabriel Bathory shot to his feet, his face pale;
“Flavia, are you absolutely certain that they said the
words knights of the dagger?”
“Yes, yes I’m certain. What does it mean?” Flavia
asked
Cassia saw the three men look at each other. This was
obviously bad news. Gabriel Bathory was about to speak when his head turned
suddenly to the study door; seconds later someone knocked then entered and his
whole face transformed. Cassia knew this was his Empath consort even before he
drew her into his side with a smile.
“Hera, beloved these are our guests. I wonder if you
could check Flavia just to make sure she is alright after her imprisonment.
Flavia, Hera is a trained nurse and a paramedic. You will be in good hands.”
As the slender blonde haired woman smiled at Cassia
then leaned to take Flavia’s hand, Cassia heard Flavia gasp excitedly;
“Hera…Hera of the House of Achilles? The daughter of
Rhea? Oh, I never ever imagined I would actually meet you. She’s the one
Cassia, the one I told you about. The last of the healing women. You are,
aren’t you?” Flavia held both of Gabriel’s consort’s hands as the Empath broke
into a slow beautiful smile and answered;
“I am. Welcome to our Island. I am told you have both
had a hard few weeks.”
It was kind of the Empath to include her, thought
Cassia. She was sure Flavia had told her about this woman but she had probably
been distracted. She often was these days. So Gabriel Bathory’s Empath consort
was not just any old Empath, she was the sister of the High Councillor of all
the Empaths and a woman of the legendary healing line. And she was the consort
of a commander on the Council. This woman was as close to being royalty as you
could get.
Cassia sensed the men wanted them out of the
“Yes, cavalieri. My Italian is fluent.”
“Cassia was also certain that the household had Human
visitors.” Javier added
“Fuck, Empaths and Humans…I’ve never liked that
combination…” muttered LaSalle, “If ransoming you was their plan Javier, they
would have been disappointed. We never ever pay ransoms. We would have found
you and got you out.” He leaned forward in his chair and addressed Flavia.
“Mademoiselle Flavia, you were in that house for
almost three weeks. Did you hear anything, notice anything that may help us?
Take your time.” His voice was gentle and Flavia sat up and looked in his
direction, her deep blue eyes wide and unfocused. Cassia watched as the men’s
expressions softened, even Gabriel Bathory. This always happened with Flavia.
There was something about her delicate fragile beauty that made men want to
fight dragons or lay down their cloaks for her to step over or go on quests. As
for herself, well she usually made men want to throttle her. She didn’t mind,
not much.
“They left me very much to myself and I was quite glad
about that.” said Flavia;
“They brought me regular meals and allowed me to
listen to music. After a few days Cassia brought me my guitar and I would sing.
Well, it relieved the boredom and kept my mind off things. Then one of them
asked me if I would go downstairs in the evening and play or recite. So I did. They
didn’t touch me and I suppose they assumed that because I can’t see they were
safe. They also assumed that because I can’t see I wouldn’t be able to hear or
understand anything either. That happens sometimes you know.”
“They were wrong though weren’t they querida?” said
Javier
Flavia smiled dazzlingly in his direction;
“Completely. I listened carefully. Cassia is right,
there were Humans there, I could smell them. They deferred to the Empaths. But
when the Humans weren’t there the Empaths deferred to their leader. I have a
feeling they were following orders from someone much more important. They spoke
a lot of Italian. Oh, and once someone commented that the knights of the dagger
had only one of their main weapons left but that would soon be remedied.”
Gabriel Bathory shot to his feet, his face pale;
“Flavia, are you absolutely certain that they said the
words knights of the dagger?”
“Yes, yes I’m certain. What does it mean?” Flavia
asked
Cassia saw the three men look at each other. This was
obviously bad news. Gabriel Bathory was about to speak when his head turned
suddenly to the study door; seconds later someone knocked then entered and his
whole face transformed. Cassia knew this was his Empath consort even before he
drew her into his side with a smile.
“Hera, beloved these are our guests. I wonder if you
could check Flavia just to make sure she is alright after her imprisonment.
Flavia, Hera is a trained nurse and a paramedic. You will be in good hands.”
As the slender blonde haired woman smiled at Cassia
then leaned to take Flavia’s hand, Cassia heard Flavia gasp excitedly;
“Hera…Hera of the House of Achilles? The daughter of
Rhea? Oh, I never ever imagined I would actually meet you. She’s the one
Cassia, the one I told you about. The last of the healing women. You are,
aren’t you?” Flavia held both of Gabriel’s consort’s hands as the Empath broke
into a slow beautiful smile and answered;
“I am. Welcome to our Island. I am told you have both
had a hard few weeks.”
It was kind of the Empath to include her, thought
Cassia. She was sure Flavia had told her about this woman but she had probably
been distracted. She often was these days. So Gabriel Bathory’s Empath consort
was not just any old Empath, she was the sister of the High Councillor of all
the Empaths and a woman of the legendary healing line. And she was the consort
of a commander on the Council. This woman was as close to being royalty as you
could get.
Cassia sensed the men wanted them out of the
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