RECORD NUMBER: N-2247343 (wiretap transcript, number of interest)
OPERATOR ASSIGNATION: "Puzzo"
PRIORITY: Low
15/11 16:15
CALL BEGINS
RECIPIENT: Hello? Giovanni residence.
CALLER: Andrea? This is Damiana.
RECIPIENT: Miss Damiana! I'm afraid your father is out at the moment, but I could-
CALLER: That's alright. No need to bother him at work. Is Laz- I mean, is my brother-
RECIPIENT: Master Lazaro? I'm afraid he's, ah, resting at the moment. I could pass on a message for you.
[OPERATOR'S NOTE: Line is silent for approximately six seconds]
RECIPIENT: Miss?
CALLER: No. I can call again later. Thank you, Andrea.
RECIPIENT: My pleasure, Miss.
CALL ENDS
Damiana was asleep by the time Giuseppe rose. Curled on the green leather couch in his study, a copy of Jung's Sermons to the Dead on the table beside her, her hair escaping, tendril by tendril, from the confines of its bun.
The book had been a birthday gift from Alphonse, in response to his sending of Freud's Three Essays for Christmas one year. Watch out, little brother, the inscription read. Looks like Jung's on to us too!
Giuseppe reached into his pocket for Candida's fetter; a plain band in rose gold, and set it down on top of the book.
"Candida?" With an effort of will, he looked into the beyond, and saw the spirit, her thin form hanging just above the table. "I need you to protect her."
Eyes half-lidded, Candida nodded assent.
Damiana stirred. "Grandfather?"
"Nepote," Giuseppe stepped back. "I didn't mean to disturb you."
"It's ok," Damiana rubbed her eyes. "What's that?"
"A spirit," said Giuseppe. "To guard you."
She pulled herself upright and took the ring from the table, turning it over in her hand, frowning. "Am I in danger?"
YOU ARE READING
Blood Ties
VampireThe Giovanni family has more than its fair share of secrets. There's the vampires, for one. And the necromancers. They've survived right under the nose of the Vatican for nearly half a millennia. But when Damiana Giovanni makes a stand against the...
