The Darkness in Dreams (Enforcer's Legacy, #1)(102)

“If Six pushes his complaints,” Phillipe said, “you know One will have no choice. She’ll be forced to call a formal inquiry. That building had some consulate designation, which he’s using to accuse you of an act of war.” Phillipe turned to face the Enforcer at his side. “You’ll be ordered back to Florence by the Calata. Arsen and Darius, too. You won’t be allowed to refuse.”

“I expected it.”

“Three believes any inquiry would be a formality—you were fully justified in what you did.”

“Not according to One.”

“She wields a great deal of power. As do you, and you cannot be seen to flaunt the same laws you are obligated to protect.”

“Not my laws.” Christan was still watching the figures in the snow, although it appeared they had called a truce. “I am not Calata.”

“No, you’re more than Calata now,” Phillipe said. “And if they find out, they will try to destroy you. Just be prepared. Three is curious to see how far Six will go with this challenge.”

“What happened with the villa?” Christan wanted to change the subject again, a growing habit, he realized. In the past he’d not been as reluctant to discuss certain subjects. But he was also curious. He hadn’t been back to the property, and the memories were important.

“It’s in the process of being restored. Three is taking care of the expenses. There will be additional security in place.”

Christan had never seen himself as a land owner, but he knew every hill and dip of the vineyards. Where the soil was rocky enough to produce the best grapes. He knew the olive grove, the place where the road washed out each winter and became a quagmire of mud.

It was the place where he loved and destroyed. Where he grieved. Where he’d stood, watching the last rays of the yellow sun fade into rose before saying the one word that exiled him into the Void. The only place where he’d come close to finding contentment, other than these few moments now, standing in the snow.

Christan hadn’t realized how he missed the peace he’d felt in that first life, felt again when he’d watched a five-year-old wearing daisies in her hair, stomping on her aunt’s delphiniums. If he was saddened now, over the destruction of land he’d never seen himself owning, it was because of her. Because of what she had been to him there, lost there, and tried to find again there, in this lifetime.

Lexi was clomping through the snow; he could see where she’d made a snow angel. The white stuff was stuck in her hair. “Is there anything else I should know?”

Phillipe pulled his scarf tighter around his throat and thrust his hands back into his pockets. “Have you heard the latest rumors coming out of Florence?”

“I haven’t kept up.”

“Some rather nasty speculation about a powerful immortal in One’s inner circle. I believe you met the man once. Leander certainly knew him. Apparently, he had some questionable friends. Disreputable sort.” Phillipe shook his head with exaggerated sorrow. “Seems like this gentleman disappeared a month ago.”

“How unfortunate. I hope someone finds him.”

“Considering who his enemies are, I suspect that to be very unlikely. Unless his enemies want him found to make a point. Apparently, he had a remote villa in the Piedmont, secured like a fortress, with a full security detail made up of warriors. What do you think about that?”

“That even fortresses can fall, if the Middle Ages taught us anything.” Christan shrugged. “There’s still a lot of deep snow in parts of the Piedmont. If he lost himself up there, they might not find him until spring.”

Phillipe looked as if he wished to smile but didn’t. “I heard another rumor, that you were seen in Florence a month ago.”

Christan remained impassive. “I had some business to take care of.”

“Leander took personal time the same week. You didn’t happen to run in to him while you were there, did you?”

“Didn’t see him. Maybe he took his girl to the beach.”

“Interesting weather for it if he did.” Phillipe shifted his stance. “Three just wanted you to know.”

“About the rumors out of Florence?”

“Yes, and that she fully approves.”

Christan looked at the distant mountains. “Tell her I’m fine.”

Phillipe’s expression sobered.

“I’ve never stood beside you in battle, Christan. We never officially met until you came out of the Void. But I watched you walk into hell and back, in more than one war. I’ve seen who you are. You’re not that man in the jungle. You’re not the man that one word compelled you to be, and you know Three would come in person to tell you that if she didn’t think her energy would trigger the vengeance again. Even now, she’s trying to find a way to reverse the one word she used.”

“That’s the problem with one words, Phillipe. They don’t always do what you expect them to do.”

“I remember the one you gave to Lexi.” Phillipe laughed. “I did enjoy hearing about you writhing on the floor.”

Christan smiled at the memory, how he had been deep in her mind and she’d thrust back with a power so intimate it hadn’t just been the one word that put him down. It was an ongoing joke with those who knew him, but he found he didn’t mind it at all.