Assisi's lip trembles for a second, and she lifts her eyes to look at me in wonder.
"You... you're saying..." She stammers. "You're saying I can leave the convent? But where would I go... I...."
"You can come live with us." Catalina interjects, coming towards Assisi. "We'd love to have you, isn't that so, Marcello?"
I nod.
"It's your home too. And you'd be safer there."
"I..." she shakes her head. "Yes, yes, please," her voice is thick with emotion, and she throws herself into Catalina's arms.
"Thank you! I... you do not understand what that means to me." She repeats and I'm suddenly stunned by her reaction.
"Did you not like it here?" I ask, almost hesitantly.
"It's not that," she starts, but the slow shake of her head belies her words. "I don't think I'm fit to be a nun."
"I think this is the best option. I've always known Sisi wasn't meant for this life." Catalina turns to me, an approving smile playing on her lips.
All this time... it really seems that nothing I do is ever right.
A loud groan resounds in the chapel.
Vlad slowly draws himself to his feet, his eyes unfocused.
"Damn," he curses. He looks as if he's just waking up after a hangover. "What happened?"
"I think you've had your fill of blood for today," I add drily, knowing he will get my meaning.
His features are taut, and he gives me a brisk nod.
"Sorry about that," The transformation is immediate. One moment his jaw is tense, the next a beaming smile appears on his face.
"I'm glad you're fine." Catalina says, while Assisi snorts.
"So what did I miss?" Vlad has the gall to ask, coming around to examine the teeth.
"Are you sure you want to do that, again?" I raise an eyebrow, but he ignores me.
"We need to find out why Chimera is targeting a convent. Maybe it's..." He turns and looks at Assisi and Catalina, squinting his eyes.
"We'll talk about that later." I tell him tensely. The last thing we need is for them to think a serial killer is after them.
"Did... did you just say Chimera?" Catalina pales, her voice a mere whisper.
"Indeed." Vlad replies and folds his arms across his chest, observing.
Catalina sways on her feet, and Assisi takes her hand, stabilizing her.
"Why?" My sister asks her.
"Nothing..." Catalina shakes her head, but I'm still skeptical. Is it possible she knows about Chimera? But that would be impossible, unless...
"Can we go back?" Catalina doesn't look too well, so I immediately agree.
"What about me?" Sisi asks, as we exit the chapel.
"You're coming with us too."
"But Mother Superior..."
"I'll settle everything with Mother Superior. Go with Catalina to the car and I'll meet you there."
She doesn't look too convinced, but she nods.
"Your sister was right. It's too much of a coincidence that Chimera would show up here." Vlad mentions after they walk away.
"Whoever it is, it's getting too close. And I don't like it."
"Between the Guerras, Chimera, and your own family, I'd say you have your hands full." He chuckles.
"You forgot the Irish." I add drily.
"Right... we'll see about that."
Chapter Fourteen
I SHIFT RESTLESSLY IN my bed. I've been trying to sleep for a few hours now, but my mind keeps on replaying today's events. Who would have thought that after all this time I would hear that name again...? I shake my head, trying to dispel those thoughts. I can't let it get to me, not again. Not after all the effort it's taken me to get over the past. Still, I can't help but wonder why now... Why did he show up again? Sisi was it right in that it can't be a coincidence that these events happened so close together.
The only good thing coming out of this is the fact that Sisi can live with us now. I've always known that she didn't want that life. But she simply didn't have a choice. I'm so happy for her. After I'd left Sacre Coeur, we'd kept in touch, and I could feel her sadness in thinking she'd be stuck there alone. But now she has her family. Venezia had surprised me with her behavior, not only towards Sisi but also me. She'd been overjoyed to have her sister home, and they'd hit it off immediately. Maybe the talk we'd had the other day had an effect on her.
Finally realizing that sleep is not forthcoming, I decide to go to the kitchen and make myself a tea. One glance at the clock and I see that it's past four A.M. I purse my lips, frustrated once again that I've not been able to get any sleep. Maybe a hot cup of tea will help me.
I leave my room and try to be as quiet as possible when I make my way down the stairs and into the kitchen. The house is so quiet, it's almost eerie. I rummage through the cupboards until I find some tea and I put a kettle on.
Waiting, I tap my foot and look around. The kitchen is modern and seeing all the appliances makes me think of baking duty. Maybe we could do that again and include Venezia too. I smile. That sure sounds good. It would be like a bonding exercise.
A clicking sound signals that the water is done, so I pour it in a cup. I'm about to take it with me back to my room when I hear an odd noise.
I frown.
It sounds like someone screaming in pain.
Leaving the cup behind, I go towards the direction of the noise. The closer I get, however, the more I realize that I'm heading towards Marcello's room. I take a few more steps and I stop. I hold my breath, trying to focus on the noise.
Maybe I misheard?
But then I hear it again, this time more intense. It's such an anguished sound, like someone being tortured.
I hover outside Marcello's door, hesitating. I don't know if I should... I don't think he'd like me invading his privacy. My fists clench the more I hear the pained cries, my decision made. I'll just check up on him. If he's fine, I'll apologize and leave. Yes, that sounds like a good plan.
My fingers touch the doorknob, and taking a deep breath, I push the door open. The room is small. At least compared to the other rooms I've seen so far. It's also barren except for a table in the far corner of the room. My attention, however, is rooted on Marcello.
He's having a nightmare.
He's thrashing in his bed, the sheets all tangled around his limbs. He's drenched in sweat, as he's trying to fight off whatever is bothering him. More cries escape his lips as he clutches at the blanket, pulling it down his chest.
He's... naked.
I avert my eyes, heat travelling up my cheeks. I shouldn't be seeing this. I feel ashamed for intruding, so I take a step back, prepared to leave.
"No," a pained moan startles me. "Please no," I turn and Marcello is in a fetal position. My heart breaks for him, seeing him so vulnerable.
What could he be dreaming about?
The more I listen, the more I convince myself that I can't just leave him like this. He's suffering...
I enter the room, closing the door behind me. Still keeping my distance, as I remember his problem with touch, I settle on the edge of the bed.