The Valiant

by Jillian Dodd

  "I don't see it," I finally say, interrupting him.

  "Ah, I wondered if you would remember," he says to me. "Are you interested in the mark your mother was looking for?"

  "Yes, we are. Is it on the original tomb? Is that what we went down into the crypts to see?"

  "It is." He grins.

  "It's so massive on Lorenzo the Magnificent's," Ari says.

  "Seek and ye shall find," the guide says mysteriously.

  "What do you mean?" Ari asks him.

  But I know the answer. "Only those who know to look for it will find it."

  "Yes, just like the underground society he created. Come this way. I will show you."

  He leads us through the nave, across the marble floor, past numerous masterpieces, and to a door that is so short, even I have to duck to get through it.

  "What do you see?" my mother asked me.

  I touch the scrolled iron base of a candleholder mounted on the wall, realizing each one that lines the tunnel we are in features the same symbol we saw in Montrovia.

  "Ari, it's everywhere," I say to him, pointing it out.

  After a few twists and turns, we end up in a circular room.

  "Looks like the kind of place where the Knights of the Round Table would have met," Ari says with a grin. He's doing a good job of pretending to be interested.

  "That's because they did," the guide says. "Not the actual knights, but the symbolism is the same. Because there is not a head of the table, everyone who was invited to sit here was considered to have equal status. The Renaissance was a period of rebirth. A cultural movement with a surge of interest in scholarship and thought, learning and wisdom, art and science.

  "The brothers' underground society was created in an attempt to continue the period that they so loved. Earlier, we discussed the Pazzi conspiracy, which was basically a coup. This was something the brothers tried to avoid, hoping to do so by bringing those with power together for the greater good of their world."

  The guide moves through the room and to an alcove where a crypt worthy of a knight is laid. Across the top of it, in tree branches rather than the scrolls of the torch holders, is the same symbol.

  "What's with all the trees?" Ari asks. "They were on Lorenzo the Magnificent's, too."

  "Ah, well," the guide says, looking directly at me, "care to take a guess as to why that is?"

  "Because the idea of an idyllic society was taking root," I answer. "It was seen in many art forms during the time period."

  "Arcadia," the guide says, nodding his head and causing Ari to choke on his spit and have a little coughing attack.

  "Thank you so much for bringing us down here," I tell the guide.

  "It has been my pleasure. Would you like to leave through the church entrance or out the back exit as the underground members once must have?"

  "The back, for sure." I give him a conspiratorial grin before following him through what feels like a maze.

  Soon, sunlight and a set of stairs leading upward become visible.

  "One more question for my research," I say. "Do you think their underground society still exists today?"

  "Your mother asked the same question, so I will answer in the same way. I believe that it does."

  "Honestly, that is what has kept me so intrigued all these years. It's why I chose to write my thesis about it. Unfortunately, I need proof of its existence to include it, so my professor doesn't deduct marks for not citing proper references. So far, that has eluded me. While many other secret societies seem to have stood the test of time, it appears that the brothers' group wasn't one of them."

  "Just because it appears not to have survived doesn't mean it has not," the man states.

  "So, you were at a meeting of The Society today," I say to Ari as we walk to where the helicopter awaits to take us back to Rome. "What did you learn? Anything underhanded going on?"

  "Uh, no. Not at all. Daniel and Peter acted like they were being forced to attend a college lecture. Lorenzo, Viktor, and I were more interested. It reminded me of a think tank that discussed global issues. Today's meeting focused specifically on the population crisis facing the world. It was interesting to see the statistics of our exponential growth and to understand that, if we don't enact change, we will hit critical mass and trigger our own extinction event. I mean, that would pretty much suck."

  "You do realize that the Great Culling is one of the conspiracy theories included in the locket. What if The Society decides to take matters into their own hands by reducing the population?"

  "With a nuclear backpack?" He chuckles.

  I give him a smack on the arm, but in doing so, I end up causing pain in my still-not-quite-healed shoulder. "That'd be one way. You could hide out in your society-suggested underground vault where you could live for a couple of years on caviar and fine wine alone. Then, once the radiation decreases, you can use your gold to help start a New World Order."

  "I think I'd rather die in the bombing," he says with a grin. "Okay, enough conspiracy-theory talk. No offense to your mother, but this seems like a wild goose chase through history."

  "I guess she was smarter than we are."

  "Whatever," he says dismissively. "I need to get you back to Rome. Lorenzo wants to take you to dinner."

  Once at the hotel, I make my way to Lorenzo's suite.

  "I love coming home to you," I say as he pulls me into his arms and greets me with the kind of kiss you give someone when you haven't seen them for weeks and were desperate to see them again.

  "And my day has just gotten brighter. I would love to take you to my favorite restaurant in all of Rome. The views are incredible, and the food is divine."

  "That sounds like the perfect way to end my day."

  He glances at his watch. "Would it be possible for us to leave within the hour? I want to watch the sun set over Rome with my love while I recite Keats poetry to her and forget about the pressures of the real world."

  "You know Keats died young, right? Maybe, with the whole nuke scare, we shouldn't recite him tonight," I tease as I run my hands across his shoulders, finding them tight from the stress of the day. "I don't want to add to your tension, but--"

  He moves across the room and pours himself a drink then takes a seat in a nearby chair. "You get ten minutes of real-world talk, and then the rest of the night is about romance."

  Part of me wishes we could just forget about the real world. My mind flits back to one of my first days at Blackwood Academy.

  Rule number one: Never get emotionally attached because that makes you--and them--vulnerable.

  Lorenzo, his monarchy, and his country are being threatened from sources unknown, and somehow, the two of us are mixed up in it, making both of us vulnerable regardless of our emotions. I tell myself that it has nothing to do with love. But I know better.

  I close my eyes as memories flood my brain.

  The look in my mother's eyes when she saw me behind the assassin, the panic in my father's when he realized the car was going to explode, Daniel and Peter lying on the ground, not moving.

  I take a seat on Lorenzo's lap, wrapping my arms around him in a comforting hug. One that I hope conveys that, regardless of what I was taught, love is the only thing that drives me.

  "Tell me about it," I say, caressing his cheek.

  "I assume you are acquainted with the terrorism threat advisory level in the United States. We've just put in motion plans for a similar system. Something that has never been considered in Montrovia's history. It is not the way I wanted to start my reign."

  "Lorenzo, surely, your country couldn't hope to host an event like the Olympics and not have to worry about what is going on in the real world--about the threat from terrorism."

  "Yes, there are plans in place, of course." He hesitates.

  "What?"

  "Some have been very vocal behind the scenes about my ability to rule. As if threats to our country are my doing. If you recall, the Montrovian Parliament oversees the day-to-day operation
s of the country, but the king rules and controls the military. It's been suggested that it might be time to tweak our governmental structure, giving Parliament more power."

  "That's bullshit," I blurt out.

  Lorenzo kisses me. "My thoughts exactly."

  "Not that I'm suggesting anything underhanded, but I do happen to know a couple of pretty good assassins. One who is in your great debt for taking care of his son and the other who is madly in love with you."

  Lorenzo laughs as he moves closer, nuzzling his head onto my shoulder, sharing the weight of his burden. "You always know how to make me feel better, Lee."

  I kiss the side of his face and then whisper in his ear, "I'm going to put on a simple dress, and then we are going to walk hand in hand through the streets of Rome. No security. Just you and me."

  "You're always chewing me out for not being properly guarded," he says, surprised I would suggest such a thing.

  "That means we're going to have to sneak out."

  "A little espionage," he says, giving me a smirk.

  "Yes, but you still must quote me poetry."

  "Deal," he says, sealing it with a kiss. "I will let my guards know that I am retiring for the evening."

  I hop up. "And I'm going to take a peek at your wardrobe. See what I can put together for your incognito look."

  "Will it be all black?"

  "It's summer in Italy. Definitely not."

  While he is on his phone with Juan, I set out a pair of dark jeans, a white undershirt, and a lightweight blue cashmere V-neck along with brown loafers. While he sometimes dresses casually during the day, he's typically much more polished for an evening out.

  I then rush to get freshened up. I leave my hair pulled back in a braid, freshen my makeup, quickly change into a simple cotton dress and ballerina flats, and then go steal a flat cap from Ari's room.

  When I get back into Lorenzo's suite, he's already dressed.

  "Don't you look adorably casual?" he says, twirling me around in a way that causes my full skirt to spin out around me.

  "And hopefully less recognizable." I place the hat on his head. "But just in case."

  He looks at himself in the mirror and laughs. "It's brilliant. Now, where are you taking me?"

  "I have no idea, which is the point. But I thought the top of the Spanish Steps for sunset would be a good place to start."

  He holds out his arm. "Shall we then?"

  "Yeah, but we're not going out the front door."

  I take him down the service stairs and out the fire exit to an alley, and then I link my arm through his elbow and lead the way.

  "First stop is gelato," I say, veering into the first store I find along the way.

  "Dessert before dinner? How dangerous of you." His lips graze my ear. "I adore it."

  "That's because we're being bad," I tease as we order.

  We take our dessert, eating as we wander down the street to the Spanish Steps where people are gathering for the same reason we are.

  "There are a lot of people here," Lorenzo notes as we make our way to the top, finding a place to stand so that we can lean on the railing. "Isn't that amazing?"

  "I know. All of us are here to witness the beauty of the end of the day."

  He gently takes my face in his hands. "It's fitting since you are the beauty at the end of my day."

  "Ah, now, you're just sweet-talking me," I say as I press my lips against his.

  We kiss, cuddle, feed each other gelato, and enjoy the moment. The sun goes down, and the sky starts to darken, so we head back down the steps, discussing the colors that blazed across the sky.

  As we turn the corner to walk past the Keats-Shelley House, an old woman touches my arm. I assume she wants to sell me something, as there are numerous vendors hawking roses and other trinkets near the stairs, but then I realize she is blind and is neither selling or begging.

  A split second later, she pulls her hand off my arm like she received a jolt of electricity and then speaks in Italian, telling me, "I see things others do not. Your heart is your most dangerous weapon as well as your greatest weakness. Wield it wisely."

  I stand there, staring at her, not sure what to say. How could she possibly know? I take a wad of euros out of my purse, slip it in her pocket, and gently pat her hand. "Grazie mille."

  "Did that old woman just quote you Keats?" Lorenzo asks as I quickly lead us away from her.

  I'm a little freaked out by what she said because it's like she read my mind. I know love is my greatest weakness. Particularly the love for the man I talked into sneaking out with me tonight.

  "No," I reply, trying not to stutter on my words. "Keats said, Love is my religion. I could die for it."

  "I'd die for you," he says, causing me to stop in my tracks.

  "Don't say that. Please." I start to breathe heavily.

  "Why? What's wrong?"

  I put a smile on my face even though I'm still shaken. "Nothing. She just caught me off guard."

  "I was worried you might put her in a strangle hold just for touching you."

  I can't help but laugh as I stand on my tiptoes to give him a kiss. "Don't think that didn't cross my mind." I point to a little cafe off the beaten path. "What do you think about that? It has only four tables outside."

  "And a view of an alley. I bought out an entire restaurant, so we could dine alone tonight. Although we are late, I'm sure the view of the city lights are equally delightful."

  "Lorenzo, you should have told me!"

  "I was having too much fun, running around Rome with you. Thank you for helping me forget about the pressures of my country for a few precious moments."

  I look down at my dress. "Do we need to go back to the hotel and change first?"

  "Absolutely not."

  We trek up a hill, making me glad that I'm not wearing heels, and to the restaurant. Lorenzo was right about the view. It's stunning. After being greeted by the staff, we make our way around the windows, checking out the view from each perspective before taking our seats.

  While we're waiting for the champagne he ordered, he slides his hand under the hem of my dress, letting it creep up my thigh until stopping suddenly.

  He clears his throat and then whispers in my ear, "Do you have a gun holstered under your dress, or are you feeling a little kinky tonight?"

  "I don't need a gun, Lorenzo. But I wasn't going to risk taking you out in public by myself without one as backup."

  "You are always thinking. I love that about you. Now, tell me what that woman said to you."

  "Just the ramblings of an old woman. Something about love. I've already forgotten it," I lie.

  "I do have some bad news," Lorenzo says, taking my hand in his. "I can't accompany you to London, as I hoped. I must get back to my country before I don't have control over it anymore."

  "That's not going to happen, Lorenzo. I'm going to make sure of it. I promise."

  "And do you also promise you will join me on Sunday to meet with my mother and announce our courtship?"

  "There's nowhere else I'd rather be," I tell him.

  MISSION:DAY FOUR

  Our dinner lasted late into the night, and I barely remember Lorenzo kissing me good-bye when he left early this morning. A glance at my phone tells me I slept in until nine.

  I have a text from Ari, telling me that we need to leave for the airport at ten. I get up, get myself ready, and shoot off a quick text to Wesley.

  Me: Heard you are celebrating your birthday tonight. I think my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail.

  Wesley: She'll be there.

  Me: Your girlfriend? Well, I would assume so. It's your birthday.

  Wesley: It could be awkward.

  Me: :(

  He doesn't immediately respond, so I set my phone down. He and I both know all I have to do is text one of his friends, and I'll have an invite in seconds.

  Wesley: We seriously didn't do anything?

  Me: Seriously. I know that your friends think it'
s hilarious, but it crushed my ego a little.

  Wesley: Oh, bullocks. Now, you are just blowing smoke up my arse.

  Me: If you need a play-by-play to ease your guilt, here it is. We shared a few kisses--no tongue--mostly in celebration due to my winning at roulette. We flirted, drank a lot, and then left together. It went downhill from there. But it worked out well for me actually. Lorenzo was extremely jealous.

  Wesley: Will he be accompanying you to the party?

  Me: Aw, I get to come. <3

  Wesley: Was there ever any doubt? Just be warned, my sister will be there. I'll forward you the details.

  Me: Wait until you see your present.

  Wesley: As long as you don't jump out of a bloody cake naked, it's all good.

  Me: Darn it, there goes my brilliant plan. Guess I'll have to go shopping instead.

  Wesley: Wait, what?!

  Me: See you tonight. And happy birthday, Wesley!

  When Ari and I are boarding our flight to London, I notice him shove a phone I've never seen before into his backpack.

  "What's that?"

  "Oh, nothing," he says.

  "Ari."

  "It's just a phone."

  "I know it's just a phone, but you already have a phone. One that is highly encrypted. For a reason."

  "This one is encrypted, too," he says.

  I make a little huffing noise and gesture at him in a way that lets him know in no uncertain terms that I need a better explanation.

  "I got it at the meeting. Everyone in The Society gets a phone like this. You don't have to worry about it. They have their own satellite."

  "Why can't they call you on your own phone?"

  "I asked the same thing. Security. They say their encryption can't be hacked." He laughs and shows me the bottom of the phone. On it is the distinctive Von Allister logo. "It's how they communicate with us."