Word that she had killed a mortal had spread fast. As soon as she stepped off the elevator, whispers of her name circulated around the room. Under David’s advice, Kara ignored the voices. She resisted the urge to slap the suspicion off a few dubious faces—the devastation of the mortal world far outweighed the gossip. In spite of everything she had done, they still didn’t accept her. She just didn’t fit into that perfect guardian angel mold—if ever there was one. She was a freak—Kara the tainted angel.
All in all, she wasn’t surprised that Ariel hadn’t appeared shocked when she admitted to killing the Seir, Ranab. Ariel didn’t even twitch when Kara explained about the second chance she had been given by the oracles. Ariel sat pokerfaced until she had recounted her entire tale. Maybe the archangel knew the truth behind the so-called sacred laws? Perhaps all the archangels did.
With the jump back to Horizon, and the lengthy debrief with the archangel Ariel, by the time they arrived in Rome, the crystal timer indicated that Kara had lost two hours. Ten hours would still be plenty of time hopefully to locate the weapon and save the children.
Kara shuddered as she remembered Elder Otis’s red wet eyes at the mention of the missing children. His heart had been broken. On the spur of the moment, she had made him a promise that she would find them, and she had every intention of keeping that promise.
The streets of Rome were packed with tourists and locals. Keeping her head down and peeking through the gap in her bangs, Kara searched anxiously for billboards or signs with her face on them. She was still a bioterrorist as far as mortals were concerned. So far, her picture only appeared in the newspapers. She couldn’t make out what they said because they were written in Italian, but because of the use of bold letters and the overuse of punctuation, it was clearly bad. Kara pulled the hood of her black sweater over her head.
Lilith hadn’t affected the mortals here yet, and that was a good sign in her favor. She hoped for more good omens; she needed them.
Kara and the others marveled at the ancient architecture. Brown stone buildings loomed over them from both sides of narrow streets. Small stone and iron balconies draped in flower boxes gazed down at them. Scooters zigzagged skillfully through the pedestrians. The smell of fresh bread and coffee filled the air. Waiters scurried out of noisy restaurants holding enormous plates of steaming pasta. Traditional Italian music echoed throughout the city, engaging couples to dance in the streets. The warm evening air caressed Kara’s cheeks. The ancient city was chaotic, and she loved it.
Everywhere she turned, there was something new and exciting to see. The evening sky was a deep orange streaked with navy blue. Tall iron lampposts flickered on as she passed. She heard a clonking and turned to see a beautiful black horse pulling a red carriage with a happy young couple holding hands. Kara smiled as she passed some local shop owners gesturing dramatically with their hands as they argued about their merchandise.
As Kara strolled along the noisy streets, she unconsciously placed her hand over the crystal timer and wondered if any other angel had ever been given a similar extension and had it kept secret from the rest of the angel population.
“So, are you going to tell me about that necklace or what?” David kept his voice low. His eyes were glued to the timer.
Kara let it go and smiled at him innocently. “There’s nothing to tell. It’s just a stupid good luck charm,” she laughed softly and gazed towards the crowds of people.
“Then why haven’t I seen it before?” David persisted. “And why I’m sensing a little jumpiness in your voice? I know you’re hiding something. What is it?”
The oracle’s warning echoed in her mind. “Like I said, it’s just a stupid pendant; it’s nothing special. Forget it.”
“Where did it come from? Who gave it to you?” pressed David.
Kara tensed. “I picked it up on one of our missions. I can’t remember where.”
David stared at her for a moment. “You’re lying. And you’re doing a very bad job at it. I thought we could tell each other everything. I thought we were...close. I thought we didn’t have any secrets between us. After all we’ve been through...why are you lying to me, Kara? ”
“I’m not,” said Kara, the words burning on her lips. “I told you, it’s just a stupid good luck—”
“Fine. Keep lying.” David walked off leaving Kara staring at him. She felt dizzy suddenly, her world tipping to the side, and cursed herself for being such a bad liar. Who was she fooling? She kept her head down and continued walking.
It was not just the crystal timer. Kara also felt sheepish about not sharing the feeling of darkness that had made itself known to her recently. At first she had thought her elemental power was acting up, but as soon as the darkness had surged through her, she knew it was different. The elemental power was always warm—this other energy felt cold and evil. Kara feared she was becoming a monster. Morthdu had told her that she was part of the darkness somehow, and it terrified her.
After walking for some time on the Via della Maddalena, Kara and the others arrived in a large square, the Piazza della Rotonda. An enormous stone water fountain with four statues at the base of a rock supported an obelisk. Couples sat around the edges and snapped pictures of themselves with their smart phones.
“Wow. Would you look at that? I’ve never seen anything so majestic.” Jenny’s eyes widened and she craned her neck. “Now that’s impressive.”
The fountain was beautiful, but it was nothing in comparison to the monumental splendor of the Pantheon. The ancient Roman building loomed up at the end of the square, the size of a small mountain. Rows of giant marble Roman columns held a majestic portico at the front of the structure. About forty-three meters in height, it demanded attention. Its colossal stone dome rose behind the portico. Great bronze doors stood ajar, an invitation to the ancient world within. A large inscription on the front of the portico read: Marcus Agrippa, Lucii Filius, Consul Tertium Fecit.
“Marcus Agrippa, Son of Lucius, Consul Three times, built this,” said Peter, as though reading her mind.
“Aren’t you knowledgeable? A real walking encyclopedia,” teased Kara.
She was so impressed by it all that for a moment she nearly forgot who she was, and why she was here. But she snapped back to reality when she spotted two men and a woman dressed in dark suits and fedora hats. They leaned casually on the columns at the foot of the Pantheon. A small white and tan English bulldog, Thor, sat at their side. So did a tall grey Great Dane, the same one who had appeared and helped fight off the Seirs at Dirleton Castle.
“Looks as though our escorts are here,” said David. He stared accusingly at the crystal timer under her shirt before he walked off.
An ache throbbed inside Kara. If only she could tell him, explain the situation, he wouldn’t be so angry with her. She hurried after David. “Come on. Let’s not keep them waiting.” Peter and Jenny rushed to keep up.
The woman Sensitive stepped forward to greet them, her long black braid bouncing against her back. She was tall and slim. Her full lips spread into a smile and her kind dark eyes sparkled brightly. “Hello, I’m Tatiana,” she said in a heavy Italian accent. “You must be, Kara.” She held her hand out.
Kara returned her smile and shook the woman’s hand with a firm grip. “Yes, it’s nice to meet you, Tatiana.”
Tatiana turned and pointed to her group. “This is Tony and Roberto. We are here to protect and help you find this weapon.”
“Thank you,” said Kara as she acknowledged the rest of the group.
Tony and Roberto were easily over six feet, Roberto being the taller and thicker of the two. They were both in their mid twenties and smiled graciously.
Kara introduced the others to the group and then kneeled beside Thor. “I didn’t know you were coming. But I’m glad you did.” She rubbed his head gently.
“The smell of trouble seems to always find you, Kara,” said Thor. He licked his lips. “I thought you might need my help.”
“And mine,” said the Great Dane. His tail wagged happily, and Kara thought it looked more like a whip than a tail. “... Poochie ’s the name.”
David laughed out loud. “Your name is Poochie?” He turned and pointed down towards the English bulldog. “And his name is Thor. Talk about a serious mix up.” David and Peter laughed.
Kara rolled her eyes and ignored them. “I didn’t get a chance to thank you for helping us escape back in Scotland. It was very brave of you.”
“It’s our pleasure,” said Poochie, his long grey tongue lolling out of the side of his great mouth. “Anything to help the legion—it’s all part of the job.” He sat on his behind and started to scratch excessively.
Roberto stepped forward. His large frame bulged with thick muscles. “Do you know where the weapon is inside the Pantheon?” he said in a deep voice with a heavy accent. The first two buttons of his shirt were undone. Kara could see scars across his olive colored skin.
Kara stood up. “Unfortunately, no. All I know is that it’s in there somewhere, and that we have to find it quickly.” Her hand froze in midair as she resisted the urge to touch the crystal timer. She could see that David had noticed her gesture.
“It’s a very big building.” Tatiana stood with her hands on her hips as she looked up the giant structure. “Me, I know, I’ve been here many times. It won’t be easy to find, and there are many tourists inside.”
“I know. We should split up into groups,” said Kara. “It’ll go faster, and it’ll look less conspicuous.”
Jenny leaned forward and pointed to herself. “Peter and I can take the right side of the building. You and David can take the left.” Peter brightened at the idea and a tiny smile curled at the edges of his lips.
Peeling her eyes away from Peter, Kara looked at David. Despite the hard look in his eye, he nodded. “Sounds good to us,” he answered.
Kara sighed silently, relieved that he would still work with her, even with all her lying.
Tatiana nodded her head in agreement. “Me, I go with you and David. Tony and Roberto—” she gestured with her hand, “you go with Jenny and Peter.”
Tony scratched the stubble on his skin. “What does the weapon look like?” His voice was a little deeper than Roberto’s, and his accent was the heaviest.
Tatiana smacked him on the head, and gestured with her hands dramatically. “You, you never listen during the meetings, eh? It’s a blue glass triangle.”
“Aye, bella. Me, I don’t know,” laughed Tony playfully. He gave Tatiana a smug smile. “Your great beauty distracts me.” He lifted his hand towards her face. She smacked it away.
Kara raised her eyebrows and shared a sidelong glance with David who shrugged. Tony was an Italian version of David—cocky, and too full of himself when it came to women—always playing around when it was time to be serious—a big kid.
“Dogs aren’t allowed in, so Poochie and I will guard the main entrance,” said Thor. Drool spilled to the ground in puddles around his feet.
“That’s right!” A low growl rippled from Poochie’s throat. “They won’t get past me.” Poochie drew back his ears as he lowered his head. A ridge of hairs rose on his back like tiny blades. He snarled aggressively and revealed rows of large pointy teeth. A chill vibrated up her back. She always thought Great Danes were gentle giants, but he looked fierce. He was big enough to do some serious damage.
Thor waddled up to Kara, his big brown eyes serious. “Kara, be careful. There’s a very bad smell in this place.”
“In the Pantheon?” said Kara. She lowered herself to be level with the tiny dog. Poochie rested his large head on her shoulder, his drool dripping down her neck.
Thor continued, “No. It’s hard to explain. It’s this city—there’s something here—something big, and it smells evil, really evil. It’s as though there’s an enormous demonic stench. I can’t put my finger on it—it keeps moving. I don’t understand it. It’s all around us now, in the air, under our feet, but I can’t find it.”
Kara wiped the drool from her neck and wiped it on her jeans. Thor’s worried expression made her feel more nervous. “I’ll be careful, I promise. So far, I don’t see any demons or Seirs. We might be able to search for the weapon before things get messy.” The crystal timer gently rubbed against her chest. “And I’m running out of time. We have to go in now.”
Thor pressed his paw on her knee. “Watch your back, Kara. There’s something evil lurking about.”
Kara rubbed Thor’s head. “I will, don’t worry.”
She rose and made eye contact with the group; their faces were as determined as hers. They made their way swiftly towards the entrance to the Pantheon.
Marble columns lined the portico. Gawking tourists passed her on their way out. Part of her wished she could enjoy the history of the ancient building, but there was no time to act the tourist. Lilith could be hiding anywhere—waiting to make her appearance with an army of Seirs. With Thor’s warning still fresh in her memory, Kara marched through the giant bronze doors.
The Pantheon was a gigantic dome with monumental tombs set into the walls. Glossy marble floors with a series of geometric patterns spread in front of her. The only light spilled down from a large round opening in the center of the dome, like a great eye opened to the sky. A ray of soft yellow light shone on the marble floor in a circular pool. A large altar was set on the opposite side to the entrance, with the icon of the Madonna and Child above it. The apse was decorated with golden mosaic crosses. Loud voices reverberated as hundreds of tourists walked in circles taking pictures and reading the inscriptions to the tombs.
Kara ignored the building’s interior beauty. She turned to Jenny, Peter, and David. “Let’s find this thing.”
Jenny beamed. “We’re on it. Come on, Peter.” She took off running to the right side of the dome. Tony and Roberto jogged watchfully beside her. With his arms outstretched for balance, Peter skated carefully behind them on the slippery floors.
Holding back a laugh, Kara took the left side of the dome. She pushed her way through the curious mortals and headed towards the nearest of the seven niches that surrounded the dome. She remembered from Wikipedia that these were the tombs of great men. That dusty old bones were hidden away under boxes of concrete was a little freaky. Perhaps the weapon would be hidden with them? She pressed her hands against the cool stone and began to search the first niche for the weapon. David got on his knees and searched around the foot of the niche, while Tatiana stood on guard with her back to them, turning frustrated mortals away in brisk Italian.
The first niche turned out to be empty. Kara hurried on towards the second niche whose brick archway extended into the concrete wall. She dug her hands into the cavities and brushed them over the rough stone surface.
Something moved in the corner of her eye. A pallid face moved in the crowd. A long black coat caught the light.
Kara froze and strained her eyes. But the figure disappeared.
“Kara?” David studied her anxious face and then followed her gaze. “What is it? What did you see?”
“I thought I saw a Seir...but I can’t see him anymore. I think my eyes are playing tricks on me.” With the amount of stress she was under, it was a wonder that her mind didn’t explode.
David frowned. “I don’t see any. But believe your instincts. I’m sure they’re here somewhere, hiding like the cowards they are.”
“What’s going on?” Tatiana leaned forward, “Why have you stopped?”
“Kara saw a Seir,” said David. “I knew they’d show their ugly faces sooner or later.”
Kara shrugged. “But I don’t see him anymore. I thought we’d have more time before the Seirs found us. It’ll make things more difficult.”
Tatiana unbuttoned the bottom of her jacket. The hilt of her sword peeked through the material. “Don’t worry about the Seirs. Keep looking for the weapon. I’ll take care of them, demone amante.”
She whistled loudly. Tony and Roberto turned the
ir heads. Tatiana made a few hand gestures, and they nodded in acknowledgement and surveyed the dome with their hands on their swords. Tatiana prowled like a cat ready to pounce. Kara admired Tatiana. She was fearless.
After a half hour of searching through three separate niches, Kara threw out her arms and sighed in frustration. She rose on her toes and searched across the dome for Jenny and Peter. They stood near another niche, looking as frustrated as Kara felt. Jenny met Kara’s eyes and raised her hands, shaking her head.
“They said it was here. It has to be here somewhere.” Kara placed her hands on her head. “Where is it?”
“Relax, Bella, we will find it,” said Tatiana, calmly. “We’ll look for it all night if we have to.”
Kara bit down on her tongue. She didn’t have all day to find the missing piece. “It’s gotta be somewhere we haven’t looked yet.”
“We’ll find it, don’t worry. Keep looking.” David gently nudged a woman with short white hair and a severely pinched face out of his way. She gave him the evil eye before shuffling off angrily.
Kara saw that an arched chapel was hidden between the last two niches. It was behind a row of red marble columns. David and she had both missed it. Fluted Corinthian pilasters rose on either side of the chapel near the opening. The inscription read: the Tomb of Umberto I, son of Victor Emmanuel II and second King of the Unified Italy.
It was the only spot she hadn’t checked.
“David,” she said and pointed. “In there.”
She ran over to the chapel. David’s boots echoed swiftly behind her. She stood by the columns and peered inside. The tomb was a massive red porphyry block carved with lion heads and topped by a slab of alabaster mounted with gilded bronze. A cushion of gold and red silk sat above the tomb. There—set as a jewel inside the lion’s eye and sparkling in the soft light was the other piece of the Arath.
At that exact moment, a Seir broke away from a group of mortals. His white head shone in the rays from the oculus. Wickedness gleamed in his dark eyes.
Tatiana saw him and moved towards Kara protectively, her hand never leaving the hilt of her sword, and her eyes glued on the Seir.
Without thinking, Kara leaped over the barrier rope.
“Hey, what are you doing?” yelled a man with thick glasses, his oversized camera bouncing against his very large belly. “You can’t go in there! You’re not supposed to touch anything!”
Kara ignored him. Excitement rushed through her breast. There it was, waiting for her.
She had beaten Lilith. Without the other piece of the weapon, Lilith’s plan to annihilate the mortal world would be at an end. Lilith would fail. Kara would still have plenty of time to search for the children, and then maybe even find Lilith and stop her for good. Kara smiled. It was time to make Lilith pay.
More angry tourists shouted at her. They didn’t know how important her mission was. She was saving them all, even the obnoxious ones.
Tatiana flashed a wide smile. Kara could see Jenny’s purple through the wall of angry mortals. She beamed at Kara.
“Stop her!” yelled a dark skinned woman. The whites of her eyes showed as she pointed at Kara feverishly. “Someone stop her! She’s going to steal the jewels! Thief!”
“Fermarla!” Someone else shouted in Italian.
The blue pyramid glistened like a giant sapphire. Kara removed her hoodie and reached out . . .
“Kara, wait!” yelled David.
She grasped the sapphire blue pyramid with her fingertips and pulled.
The alarm went off.
Chapter 13
When in Rome
Marked, Soul Guardians Book 1 Page 97