“Wait, I know this one. And I think I’ve seen it recently.” I thought back to the train station in Naples. “When we were waiting for Simone to buy the caps and sunglasses in Naples, I saw a flyer for a museum with a Caravaggio on the front. It was of a woman being shot with an arrow.” I squinted, trying to recall the name of the museum. “I think the museum had the name of something weird like the Palace of Shoes.”
“I’ve never heard of that place, and I would know about a palace for shoes.” Simone gave me a wink.
“Are you sure about the name?” Asher asked.
“No. I thought it was something like Palazzo Zapatos, but it might be a name that looks like that. If we go back there, we can pick up a flyer and figure it out.”
“So are we going back to Naples?” Simone asked.
The cool wind flapped the receipt in my hand.
The sky had grown dark to the north in the direction of Naples, and in the distance, sinister clouds were dragging themselves across the restless sea, edging ever closer to our boat. A bolt of lightning arced from one cloud to another, casting the heavens in a brief but powerful white glow. This was the moment I had seen in my echo tracing.
“No. We need to stick with our plan,” I said, stuffing the receipts between the pages of the Guardian’s Journal and putting it back into Asher’s backpack. “Get the spear first.”
“Cassie’s right,” Asher said while pulling up the anchor. “Going back to Naples would make us head into the storm. Better to stick close to shore and head south toward Positano. If the storm gets too close we can always seek shelter along the coast. We can come back to Naples after we get the spear.”
“Exactly.” I felt relief that Asher was agreeing with me. Maybe he was having his own doubts about the whole releasing destiny idea. He could be thinking that mankind might choose the wrong path and that it would be better if someone could guarantee a good outcome. Someone like me.
Asher revved up the engine. “Plus, that painting hasn’t gone anywhere in hundreds of years, but Simone’s mother might move the spear tonight and we’ll lose it for good. We have to get the spear first and then look into releasing destiny.”
I nodded, but my thoughts were already on how I was going to use the spear to fix the future.
The threat of bad weather forced us to move quickly, but the storm stayed behind us, which I took as a good omen. Maybe it meant we’d have a little divine intervention in our quest. Pulling into Positano, I couldn’t help marveling at how beautiful the town looked from the water’s edge. Pastel buildings rose from the shoreline all the way to the top of the mountain, and each one appeared to be resting on the roof of the one beneath it. The domed roof of a church with the cross on top stood in the middle of it all.
We had decided to stop in Positano to make the call to Simone’s house since it was the closest marina and would likely have a pay phone we could use. We moored the boat at the end of a pier and crossed the black-pebbled beach to reach the stores and restaurants that lined the strip. Asher and I kept our heads down, even though we were wearing our sunglasses and caps, still somewhat nervous that someone might recognize us.
As we passed the first couple of cafés, a few people walked by us eating slices of pizza. “Are either of you hungry?” Simone asked. “Because I could really go for something.”
I was about to say that we should simply find a phone and get back to the boat when my nose caught a whiff of onions and garlic being cooked nearby. My stomach immediately rumbled. “I guess we could get something quick over there.” I pointed to a small pizza shop squeezed in between a luggage store and souvenir shop.
“You two get the pizza while I find us a pay phone or a place that sells prepaid cell phones.” Asher gazed up the street. “I can be back here in about fifteen minutes.”
“Since when do you give the orders?” I said, not liking the idea of splitting up. “Last time we almost didn’t find you.”
“It’ll be faster this way,” Asher insisted. “Plus, they’re looking for the two of us together. It might be better if only one of us is wandering around.” He pointed to an area next to the marina where there were a few park benches. “I’ll meet you over there, okay?”
“He’s got a point, Cassie.” Simone opened her wallet and handed Asher some money.
I did like the idea of saving time. The faster I got the spear, the faster I could start changing things. “Fine. But hurry.”
Asher gave me a wink and then fell in with a pack of elderly tourists walking up the narrow streets.
“Now for some good food,” Simone declared, taking me by the arm and leading me into the pizza shop.
My mouth watered as we ordered and got our pizza, buying an extra slice for Asher. Balancing the slices on paper plates, we found an empty bench under a tree that was tucked away, out of sight. Within a minute, I had devoured the large slice … enjoying every bite of the crispy crust, the rich tomato sauce, and the perfectly melted cheese. It might have been the best pizza I’d ever eaten.
Or maybe I was just famished.
Either way, it was hitting the spot.
“Really good, huh?” Simone picked at a string of cheese that clung to her lips. “Asher better hurry, or he’s going to eat his cold. I think he—”
But her words disappeared as a blinding light forced me to close my eyes, and a searing pain shot through me.
It was happening again.
Another echo tracing.
Slowly, the image came into focus. Bodies littering the streets. Once again, I could only witness the events from one angle, stuck with the single camera lens that let me see what had already been revealed, but wouldn’t let me turn around to gather more information. I saw the soldiers in hazmat suits drive by the bodies, but this time I noticed an abandoned newsstand on the corner. I strained to get a better look. Then, like someone holding a magnifying glass to a picture, the image of the newsstand drew closer. I could read one of the newspaper headlines—“Mysterious World Epidemic Kills Millions”—but I couldn’t make out anything else. A feeling of nausea overwhelmed me. I was responsible for this. My decision to save my dad had caused a ripple effect that would lead to millions dying. This was even worse than I had imagined.
I felt Simone’s hands tickling my ribs, and my eyes fluttered open. The echo tracing was over.
“And you’re back,” Simone uttered, trying to make light of the situation. “You gotta stop doing that. It freaks me out.”
“It’s not like I have much choice,” I mumbled, still feeling a bit disoriented. A cold sweat broke out around my neck. Lunch and an echo tracing made for a bad combination.
“I think I’m going to be sick,” I said, leaning forward, my hands on my knees.
Simone pulled my hair back, thinking I was going to throw up. “Just breathe,” she said, smoothing the strands from my face. “In and out.”
I nodded and did as she suggested.
Simone rubbed my back until the feeling subsided.
“Thanks,” I said, sitting up again.
“You’re looking a little less green,” Simone observed. “But is being linked to the spear making you sick? Is that what’s happening to you?”
“The spear isn’t making me sick. It’s what I’ve done that makes me want to throw up.”
“I don’t understand.” Simone’s blonde, almost-invisible eyebrows scrunched together. “What did you do other than touch the spear?”
Asher wouldn’t want me to say anything, but he didn’t know Simone like I did. Regardless of how she had betrayed me with her mother, in my heart I knew she’d only tried to do what was right. She was like a sister to me, and I wanted to trust her again.
“I accidentally changed the future,” I said. “I just wanted to save my dad, but the path I chose put the world in danger, and now millions will die if I can’t change it back.”
Simone flinched. “Millions?”
“That’s why I need to find the spear and make it right again!”
I could hear the panic rising in my voice. “I need to choose a different path.”
“Shhh.” Simone rubbed my back again. “Okay, okay, that’s bad. But it’s going to be okay—you said yourself, once you get the spear, you’ll just pick a different outcome.”
“I know, but the spear only lets me control the immediate future. I have to figure out what choice will create consequences that change the distant future. Create the destiny I want.”
“But what happens to you when you get all stiff and can’t hear us? Are you trying to make those choices?”
“No, they’re flashbacks about the future that I saw. It—”
“You’re telling her!” Asher exclaimed.
Simone and I spun toward the sound. We hadn’t heard him come up from behind.
“You know she’s not to be trusted!” Asher lowered his voice but kept the same intensity.
“How did you … ?” Simone’s eyes darted around as if looking for an explanation other than the fact that Asher was really good at sneaking up on people.
My eyes went to the bag he was holding. “You got the phone?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.
“Forget that.” He pulled me up by the hand and led me away from the bench. “Why would you be talking to her? It’s bad enough she’s with us.”
“You don’t understand. I know Simone. She made a mistake and wants to make up for it. Just like me.” I put my hand on his arm. “You have to trust me on this. I know what I’m doing.”
“I don’t think you do,” Asher replied, pushing my hand away.
“Well, I’m the one who can control destiny, and I say this is the way things are going to go. Like it or not.”
“Hey, guys,” Simone tried to interject from her place on the bench.
We both ignored her.
Asher’s eyes narrowed. “We’re a team. Don’t forget that, Cassie. This isn’t your show.”
“It is my show,” I said. “Because I’m the one who messed things up, and I’m the only one who can make it right again. I’m the one who’s going to make choices for the entire world.”
“But I’m equally involved. I’m bound to you. Something happens to you, and it affects me, remember? You’re letting this whole idea of controlling the future go to your head. You’re being selfish and stubborn.”
“Me?” I couldn’t believe he was talking to me like this. “You’re the one who refuses to accept that Simone is sorry for making a mistake. Yes, it was a huge, colossal screwup, but she thought it was for the right reason. I trust her. She’s like family to me. And at least she trusts me to fix things. You’re the one being selfish and bossy. Don’t forget that, in the end, I’m the only one who makes the choices, not you!”
Asher and I stared at each other seething, neither one of us backing down from the fight.
“Guys, you may want to see something,” Simone called out again.
Asher blew out an exasperated breath and held up his index finger. “Can you give us a minute?”
“Um, no. I need you to look over there.” Simone pointed to the sky over the marina. “That’s my mother’s helicopter headed out. She must’ve just left the house. Whatever we’re planning, it’s got to start now … if the two of you are done arguing.”
I looked out at the sea, where a red helicopter with white lettering on the side flew toward the mountain peak above Positano.
My breath caught in my chest.
I recognized the helicopter. It was the same one that had hovered over us in the woods while the military chopper fired the missile at our cottage.
Simone’s mother had been the one to blow it up, not the Hastati! She really was willing to kill me and anyone who was close by.
“Are you sure that’s her?” Asher questioned. “And not a Hastati helicopter?”
“I know what our copter looks like,” Simone answered. “Why would you think it was Hastati?”
“Because it was in the air when Dame Elisabeth’s cottage exploded,” I said. “And since the Hastati showed up right after it got destroyed, we thought it was all done by them.”
“You see! I told you my mother was trying to kill you!” Simone shook her head. “I can’t believe I ever fell for the stuff she told me. She never even paid any attention to me until she found out that I was connected to this whole spear business. And now she’s not going to stop until she can control the spear’s power.”
“That’s why I’m …” I glanced at Asher. “Um … we are going to take it from her.”
We decided to call Simone’s house with the prepaid cell phone Asher had bought once we were back in the boat. Our plan was to push off from the pier and head down the coast after Simone convinced the guards to go to Salerno. This would give us at least four hours to get in and get out. We were risking everything on this plan. If it failed, Simone’s mother would have the spear, Tobias, and me.
Simone stared at the phone in her right hand while biting the nails on her left. I could tell she was as nervous as we were … although her mother would probably not try to kill her.
Probably.
“You’ve got this,” I whispered. “Didn’t you say your mother only hires English-speaking guards?”
“Yeah, and I can do a pretty good impression of her in Italian, too. It’s just that … I don’t know if … I’m not sure if sending them to Salerno is a good idea. What if they ask me for details? I don’t know too much about that city.”
“But you said your mother sometimes goes to Salerno on business, right?” Asher asked.
Simone nodded, her hand shaking a little. She knew our entire plan hinged on her convincing the guards that she was her mother. “It’s just that if they start asking questions, I don’t know the streets and stuff. I could pull it off a little better if it were Rome.”
“Yeah, but your mother wouldn’t demand that these guards leave right away to meet her all the way in Rome,” I reminded her. “She’d just get people from over there.”
“Salerno makes sense. It’s far enough that it’ll take them a couple of hours by boat, our paths won’t cross because they’re heading away from us, and they know your mother goes there.” Asher paused. “But if you don’t think you can do it …”
“She can do it,” I insisted, and squeezed Simone’s arm. “Just take a deep breath and call.”
Simone inhaled and exhaled slowly. “Of course I can do this,” she said in her mother’s voice. “I’m Sarah Bimington. No one questions me.” Then she dialed her house.
Asher and I stared as the seconds ticked away. Simone gave a small nod as soon as someone answered the call.
“Yes, who is this?” Simone’s voice had an irritated tone to it, just like the one her mother might use. “Lorenzo, you say? Fine. This is Sarah Bimington. There’s been a change of plans. I need you and all the other guards to come to Salerno right away.”
Simone listened as the person on the other end spoke. The voice was low and rumbling, but I couldn’t make out what was being said.
“Yes, of course I realize that Tobias will be there with only the house staff. Are you questioning my orders?” Simone gave me a wink. She was on a roll. “I thought so. Now, I need everyone to go wait for me outside the Deutsche Bank. Do not call me, as I want no trace of communications. I will contact you when I am ready to proceed, is that clear?”
Simone waited for acknowledgment, but her eyes widened in panic.
“Which branch?” She widened her eyes as if we might be able to tell her which locations existed in Salerno.
Asher shrugged.
I had no idea, but I remembered the answer Simone gave the cabdriver, which was specific but still vague. “Main branch,” I suggested.
Simone shook her head. “Which one do you think?” Simone said, flipping the question on the guard. After a short pause, she answered, “Of course, I’m referring to that one. And my daughter will also be returning to the house with some friends.” Simone took a breath. “No, I don’t want them detained! I d
on’t care what my prior orders were.” Her voice almost broke out of character, but she composed herself. “Everyone is to do as my daughter requests. She has my full authority. Now, hurry up and get to Salerno.”
She ended the call and let out a big sigh. Her hands were still trembling, but she had a smile on her face.
“You did it!” I exclaimed, giving her a quick hug.
“Not bad,” Asher muttered. It was high praise coming from him. He pushed the boat away from the pier. “Now let’s see if you’re right about the spear actually being there. I’d hate to think this is all for nothing.”
“It’s there,” I said. “It has to be.”
It only took us about thirty minutes to get to Simone’s house, which, as she had described, resembled a fortress sitting at the top of a massive, three-hundred-foot-high outcropping of stone.
Asher slowed the boat as we approached the small cave where Simone said we could moor.
My heart beat a little faster.
Inside the sea cave, stairs would take us directly up to the house. I knew that this could be the part of my vision where I’d meet Tobias by the window.
I took a deep breath. Trickles of cold sweat ran down my side.
We had to be ready for him. The element of surprise was on our side, but we couldn’t let him warn Simone’s mother. He was a killer who had been able to shape the future … he was capable of anything.
“Remember, everyone thinks your mother sent you to the house, so make sure they listen to whatever you say,” Asher told Simone as he slowed down the boat.
Simone arched a single eyebrow. “They always listen to me. We just need to go straight to the master suite because that’s where my mother has her safe, so it’s probably where she put the spear.”
“Probably?” Asher questioned her. “You’re not even sure?”
“I’ll know if it’s there,” I said, thinking about how even back in the garden of the Knights of Malta, before I was bound to the spear, I’d felt a certain connection … an attraction toward it. “Being that close, I’ll be able to sense its pull.”
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