Coventina

by Jamie Antonia Symonanis

  Aaron did not answer.

  It was too late for her to retrieve anything from her place. There were two cars in front. The front door appeared to be resting on its side as if it had been battered in.

  Rosina started cursing in Italian. Everything in her apartment was lost, unless she wanted to turn herself in and post some outrageous bail to see what was left. “If I get my hands on this Water Goddess I am going to,” she started to say when her phone rang. It was Ines. “What is it? Do you realize I can’t even get into my fucking place? It is being raided, just like everything else.” Rosina said.

  “That is in part the reason I am calling. There is a gun battle raging outside my place in Spain. Check your email. I have sent you something.”

  Rosina did as she asked and opened the email from her.

  “Do you recognize that woman?” Ines asked.

  Rosina looked at an image of Coventina with a small bruise on her face, no makeup, obviously taken by a Cel phone camera. “Yes, I do.”

  “This is our Water Goddess. Put it all together. It has to be her.”

  “We murdered her family, and missed her.”

  “It is, I just know it is.”

  “So who is helping her? How could she put this all together is such a short time?”

  “I am not sure Rosina. Get back here as quick as you can. Get the fuck out of Rome.”

  “We’re on our way.”

  Rosina stopped for gas on the outskirts of the city and sped back to Mario’s place. She did not speak. She was too angry to speak. She imagined police going through everything she owned and would let out a scream.

  When they made it back to Mario’s there were more than a dozen men on the grounds, a few with dogs.

  “Keep those fucking dogs away from me,” Rosina said when she got out of her car.

  “They are waiting for you inside. I’ve been instructed to tell you to bring your computers with you,” Renaldo said.

  Gino greeted them and escorted them into the house. “There is plenty to eat. I know you must be hungry, you’ve been on the go all day.”

  “I will have something to eat, thanks,” Rosina said.

  “Yes, but first, Mario wanted to see you first thing, as soon as you arrived.”

  When the doors opened and they stepped into a study, the face of Coventina speaking on the large screen on the wall greeted them.

  Ines turned to Rosina and said, “My suspicions have been confirmed. She is the Water Goddess. Check your computers. We have all received this video message.”

  The words of Coventina on the video seemed to pound into Rosina’s head as she sat down and turned on her computer.

  “I wanted all of you to know exactly who has taken everything from you.”

  I will find you, and when I do, you will die a slow and painful death, Rosina thought.

  The face of Coventina on the large screen did not look like someone who was finished with them all.

  71

  Change

  “Considering the time you have left, it might be best to change your plans,” Aja said.

  Denise looked like she wanted this cloud to be past her. “Really?”

  “Yes. They are all in the same place, now. If you try to lure them to you in the U.K. there is no telling how long they will take to make it there. Sure they are beyond pissed, but I simply don’t believe they are going to rush in blindly, especially traveling to the U.K.”

  “You’re always thinking a step ahead.”

  “And, there is Coventina’s property. Why taint that too? No one knows of it. I know she has said she will leave, and Anna believes she will leave as well, but they have not left yet.”

  “You are wise Aja.”

  The layout of the place is something you should have no problem approaching with your stealth advantage. Still, I can’t help but worry. You all have to get away once the shit hits the fan.”

  Layla walked in the door. “You two look a bit glum.”

  “Aja and I have been discussing ending this at Mario’s. They are all gathered there, including Rosina. What do you think?”

  “I feel better confronting them on their turf and getting away rather than having them come at us from anywhere, and when?”

  “You mention a key word, getaway.”

  “Well we can’t fit them all in the Mustang, Layla sighed.

  “We could fit them all in two,” Denise said, her eyes widening as she spoke.

  “Why use a Mustang at all?” Aja said.

  “Continue,” Denise smiled.

  “Your friends upstairs can place you close enough that you would not need a car. It could be the same rallying point to be collected by them when it is over.”

  “You know honey, you and I alone faced greater odds in Mexico, and we did it without the Mustang.”

  “Yes, but one of us almost did not survive,” Layla said quietly.

  Denise walked to the door and looked out at the others enjoying the night air.

  “How can we be sure they will all stay there?”

  “Their emails show they plan on hiding out there and planning a course of action,” Aja said.

  “Their emails? You do not suspect they are being sent to deceive prying eyes?”

  “No, I don’t. They are reeling, wondering what if anything else is coming their way. If I was in their shoes, I would try to stay as safe and protected as possible.”

  “The opportunity is there. We must seize it,” Layla said.

  “Yes Supergirl, I believe you both are right. Where is Quintus?”

  “He is outside. They are all outside.”

  “Want to join me my dear friends?”

  “Lead the way,” Aja smiled.

  “Bring the bottle,” Denise laughed, motioning to the wine.

  They sat down next to Quintus and Coventina.

  “We’ve been discussing a change of plans,” Denise said.

  “Please share your thoughts,” Quintus said.

  Those responsible for the harm caused to you all are gathered in one place. Our intelligence if you will, believes they will remain there, but not for long. Considering the time left before those of you who choose to do so must depart, we think it best to pay them a visit where they are, rather than hoping we can lure them to the U.K. in time.”

  “My men will do what we decide,” Quintus said.

  “As shall I,” Coventina said.

  “The area is secluded, but it is already well guarded. Their numbers are superior,” Layla said.

  “But we will have the element of surprise,” Denise smiled.

  When do you think it best to, visit them?”

  “I wanted to discuss that with you, since you are the warrior. Would it be better for us at night or during the day when we can see all?”

  “Since we have the advantage of all that these medallions offer, I would prefer the day, when it is light. First light if possible.”

  “First light is in eight hours or it is in thirty two hours,” Layla said.

  “Thirty two hours seems a long time to keep this rabble together,” Aja said.

  “Do you have an idea how they are reacting to today’s events?” Coventina asked.

  “Enraged. Uncertain about their futures, frightened, being very cautious. They believe they are in a place that is safe.

  “Against others that might be true. I am leaving the timing up to you,” Denise said.

  Quintus called over the other legionnaires and quickly discussed the potential new plan with them.

  “I don’t like waiting for battle, never have,” Marcus said.

  Lucius smiled at Aja and spoke. “Tonight if possible.”

  The others all agreed, the sooner the better.

  “Do you want to contact Mys or shall I? We move at first light,” Quintus said.

  Denise looked at Layla who was sporting a smile. Well Supergirl?

  I’m with them. Let’s move at first light.

  “I will get ahold of Mys then,” Den
ise said.

  72

  Fit

  Aaron got up and followed Rosina who had stormed out of the house. “Rosina, stop, where are you going?”

  “I am not going to let him talk to me like that. He’s lucky I did not stick my fork in his eye.”

  “Well then just go to the guesthouse. I’ll go there with you.”

  “He’s fucking that bitch, it’s obvious.”

  “Yeah, well, why should that bother you?”

  “I don’t trust her.”

  “It would be safer to stay here. Come on, we’ll go hang out in the other building, the guesthouse. He’s just been drinking too much.”

  “No. I need to get away from them. I can’t think around them. I cannot explain it, but I have a strong sense of foreboding being here.”

  “Want me to come with you?”

  “No. I think best alone. You can reach me on the phone if there is some emergency.

  “I thought you said not to use our phones,” Aaron sighed.

  “Here,” she said, handing him a cheap prepaid phone she took out of her bag. “It has my number on the other one that cannot be traced to us. Don’t use it unless it is absolutely necessary.”

  “Be careful. Will you be back tomorrow?”

  “I plan on it, but I am not promising anything.”

  Rosina closed the car door behind her, started the engine and left the villa behind her in the darkness.

  She turned north. I hope she is not going back to Rome, Aaron thought.

  After heading north for a about a mile she took the first left she came to, a very narrow road that led to the coast. She knew the area well, having frequented it much as a teenager. She received a text on her phone from Aaron. MARIO SAID IF YOU ARE HEADING TO ROME HE WILL PUT OUT AN ORDER TO HAVE YOU SHOT ON SIGHT.

  “Arrogant asshole,” she said, turning the volume on the stereo up.

  She stopped in the small town of Poggiomarino to steal a set of license plates and put them on her car before continuing to head towards the coast.

  The image of Coventina in the video made her blind with rage when she thought about it. At one point, after seeing that image in her mind’s eye, she ran an oncoming car into piles of garbage that had been left at the roadside. “Just let me get my hands on you, fucking Water Goddess,” she said to herself. “Close enough for my hands or a bullet will do.”

  After twisting and turning her way east, she checked in to a room at the Forum Hotel in Pompeii, using one of her sets of fake ID’s and paid in cash. It was one of the closest hotels to the excavated ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii that had been buried under tons of ash when Vesuvius erupted.

  Once inside her room, she started a bath and plugged in her computer to charge it. When she opened it she was greeted with another message from the Water Goddess. There is nowhere you can hide.

  73

  Dawn

  Three women and six legionnaires moved north on foot through a field just south of Mario’s compound. They moved in stealth with shields already activated.

  When they got to the electrified fence on the north side of the compound Layla uprooted and ripped it in two providing a large path through it and on to the property.

  Dogs. Should we have planned for dogs? Layla said.

  Too late now. We have to assume they can somehow detect us. Denise said.

  The four dogs they had patrolling the property all converged on them as they approached the buildings, now moving faster.

  Quintus. I cannot communicate with these dogs. They must be taken out. They can detect us somehow, Denise said.

  They are moving directly towards us Denise. It will not be difficult.

  From the rooftop of the main building, two of Mario’s men were watching the dogs through binoculars. They could not see any visible reason for them converging on what looked like an empty field, at least until they watched two of the four dogs fall to the ground dead after crying out in pain.

  “What the fuck? Did you see that?” one of the men said.

  “Holy shit. Did you just see that?” the other man said, after seeing the heads of the other two dogs separated from their bodies before they dropped to the bloody grass beneath them dead.

  “What do we do? The barking stopped?”

  “Of course the barking stopped, all the fucking dogs are dead. Mario is going to be pissed cause it’s so early but some fucking thing is out there.” He aimed his automatic weapon to where he thought someone might be standing who could have killed the dogs. The rounds whizzed over their heads because they were moving too quickly.

  More of Mario’s men poured out of one of the guesthouses, followed by some of Ines’ men.

  “What the fuck is going on?” one of them shouted.

  “Someone killed the dogs, but I can see no one,” one man shouted from atop Mario’s villa.

  “Where?”

  “Over there, in the open field.”

  Four of Mario’s men turned the corner of the house to head towards where they said the dogs had been killed. They did not make it any further. Four of the legionnaires greeted them, leaving them in a bloody heap.

  “What the fuck is happening?” the two men atop Mario’s villa shouted, as once again they opened fire in the direction they thought someone should be that had just brutally murdered four men. This time they could see the bullets bouncing off their shields in every direction.

  “Did you see that? Someone is out there.”

  “Someone or some thing.”

  Supergirl can you shut those two up? Denise asked.

  Affirmative. Layla slammed the two men together so hard they fell to the ground unconscious.

  Coventina was still moving with Denise and Layla as the six legionnaires rounded the corner killing anything that moved. Three went into each of the two guesthouses to search for anyone who might be left in them. Marcus found Aaron hiding under his bed. He and Lucius dragged him out of the building, dropping him onto the grass. When he looked up Coventina materialized before his eyes.

  “I told you that you could be saved. You are not guilty of any of the crimes against me. Leave now, or die here, today, with all the others,” she said in a tone that terrified him.

  “I don’t know why you spare my miserable life, but I will leave.”

  “Change, and LEAVE, NOW,” she shouted before disappearing from sight.

  There were now six more men atop Mario’s villa and more around it shooting blindly across the fields. Occasionally some rounds would bounce off the shields only to miss when more weapons were trained on the spot they thought someone might be. They were moving too fast.

  Once again Layla took out the men atop the villa, this time sending them flying after being slammed into one another. They landed unconscious out back by the pool. They missed the water.

  Denise Layla and Coventina watched as Quintus and his men eliminated the other men outside the house. An eerie silence came over the compound.

  Let’s finish this. There is no telling how soon it will be that this place is swarming with police, Denise said.

  Odumnus kicked the door open and the legionnaires rushed in. Denise pitied whomever they might run into.

  They found Mario and Ines in a master bedroom, taking their weapons from them before the three women entered.

  Once again Coventina materialized before them. “Do you remember me? I was your very special prize is how I believe you put it,” she said, looking at Mario. Ines watched in horror as Mario’s head was separated from his body and flew across the room.

  “You ordered the murder of my family, because you lost your prize,” she said to Ines. Before the terrified woman could utter a word, Quintus’ sword pierced through her heart from behind her. She looked down at her blood that had formed on the invisible Gladius before falling to the ground dead when he pulled it out.

  “Let’s get out of here post haste,” Layla said.

  “We missed one,” Coventina said as they walked quickly back across
the field to the rendezvous point where their ride was waiting.

  “For now,” Layla said. They could hear the sound of sirens wailing in the distance.

  It is one of the reasons we let Aaron get away, Denise said.

  74

  A Short Wait

  The mood was somber it seemed, only for Denise, Layla and Aja upon their return to the farmhouse in France. The others were celebrating as one might expect warriors to celebrate after a victorious battle, even a battle as one-sided as theirs was. They quietly but happily explained what they did and whom they did it too. Diana, Maria and Anna all had painful smiles on their faces listening to the legionnaires, but smiles nonetheless.

  “It’s like nothing you’ve seen in a movie,” Denise said to Aja, who was monitoring multiple computer screens.

  “Gruesome huh?”

  “Very. Oh don’t get me wrong. They showed no mercy, and justifiably so as far as I’m concerned,” Layla said. “But, it was gruesome.”

  “I am glad I missed it.”

  “I was so wishing this was going to be totally over. Any clue yet where Rosina is?” Denise asked.

  “My guess is not very far from the scene of carnage, but I don’t know for sure, yet.”

  “Thanks. I know you’re on top of it. I don’t know how to thank you my dear.”

  “You are the one who knew she would not be there, so you may find out sooner than I do.”

  “Yes. I wish things were clearer some times. One more hurdle to get over and everyone can try and settle into having a life.”

  “Indeed.”

  Layla went to join the others outside where Anna and Maria had some food cooking on a large grill.

  “Would you like something to eat or drink?” Marcus asked.

  “Not much of an appetite yet, but I will have some wine, with a ice cube please.”

  “Allow me,” Lucilla smiled. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m okay, I guess. Denise might be feeling a bit rattled though.”