The next generation (The strings of fate)

Constance

Constance followed Maro back into his mother's office, her stomach clenched. She couldn't pin the reason why she just felt like something very wrong was about to happen. They had spent a couple days before talking with his mother about which routes to take and what to avoid. Maro had seemed just as unnerved as she was. Constance's aunt wasn't going to be able to watch Mimi the entire time they might be gone. Baldassare had been annoyed when Maro had spoken to him about it but after some ungentlemanly curses he agreed to, his words, babysit the brat.

As they came into the room Maro's mother in all her beauty came to Maro, arms open. She spoke Latin in a smooth voice. "Il mio dolce ragazzo. Fate attenzione. Se hai bisogno di qualcosa chiami subito Armando. Mi senti?"

Maro just gave her a tight smile, and accepted the kisses on both his cheeks. "I will."

"Here, this will work at longer distances than the card." Armando handed both Constance and Maro a small coin. "Light it on fire and flip it. I'll tether to you." He told them. Armando gave them both a one armed hug before Belladonna waved him aside.

Constance felt a little better knowing they would be able to call Armando if they needed the help. She smiled at him and bowed slightly to show her gratitude. Her attention moved to Maro's mother. She wasn't too sure why his mom didn't seem to like her too much but when she thought about how she'd feel if she had a child that she thought died only for them to show up with a partner years down the road.... Yeah I'd hate me too. She chuckled to herself in her head.

"I'll take you to an island off of Italy. Last time I was there it was deserted. But there could be locals that have started live there to escape." His mother warned Maro.

"Thank you." He nodded.

Baldassare came into the room, his brows were furrowed. "Did you give them the coins?" He asked Armando, the response was a simple nod. "Mom showed me the map and you'll have to swim across. You have more than one underwater potion?" Baldassare looked to Constance now. He was serious and maybe a bit worried.

Constance's eyebrows furrowed. "I made a few before we came here, enough for eight hours maybe." She looked at the map and her mind whirled with possibilities to extend the hour time limit and places to pause to take more of the potion. She looked over to Maro. "I hope your swimming's as good as you are at fighting."

"I can manage." Maro nodded, looking just as lost in thought.

"Fuck swimming." Baldassare held out a strip of paper to Constance. "Here, take this. Learn it quickly." He snapped, dragging surprised Maro into a quick hug before he stormed out of the room.

"What is it?" Maro asked, watching his brother go.

"A propelling spell?" Constance said as she looked over the paper that was shoved into her hands.

"My boys are so talented." Maro's mother beamed as she rolled up the map. "Keep this dry." Maro nodded, taking the map before it disappeared from his hand.

"I'll be prepared to come to you Bossing." Armando said to Maro with a reassuring smile. Maro seemed to relax a bit and initiated a hug. Once they were done patting each other Belladonna held out her hands to them, her gold bracelets clinked together. Constance smiled at Maro and Armando's interaction.

"Hopefully we won't need the assistance but I appreciate it, Armando." Constance smiled at him before she turned to Maro's mother.

When they tethered they were inside a beautiful house. It looked like it had been ransacked and Constance could see the flicker of anger on Belladonna's face before she turned a smile to them. She let go of Constance but squeezed Maro's hand.