Devil at the Vatican (BL)

Chapter 43

In the morning, Marcel gathered his materials and went to the Apostolic Archives to collect a few holy relics to help him defeat Elio's demon. Typically, he would use the sacrifice of a goat or lamb, but with these powerful relics, such things were not needed. It would still be grueling work, nonetheless.

"They found the girl in here," someone said behind Marcel as he waited for the archival clerk to fetch the coiled original staff of Saint Benedict of Nursia, a powerful monk exorcist from the early centuries of the Church. He spun around to find Bishop Venturi behind him.

"Sister Blanca?" Marcel asked.

Venturi glanced around as though checking for spies, then nodded. "She was hiding in the back rooms of the archives where the relics are more historical artifacts than weapons. She must not have known the difference."

"Was it true that she poisoned the Holy Father?"

"She confessed to it. One of the Holy Order sentries was in love with her. Likely the father of her child as well. He's been sent away to some order on the other side of the world. That's how she got access."

"I wonder why she did such a thing."

"I'm afraid all I know is what I've told you."

"And Cassian? You told me to watch out for the next Cardinal."

"I suspected someone else, actually. It seems this betrayer is cleverer than I thought. Cassian is a wild variable, but not a conspirator in the ways that would hurt us. I suspect his focus is on carnal distractions."

"Here sir," the clerk said as he returned to the request desk with the staff in hand. He held it with silk gloves. Much of the staff had broken off during the centuries, but it was still large enough for Marcel to yield as he needed.

Marcel took the staff, then turned to resume speaking with Bishop Venturi, but found him gone. He had questions for the man but now had to ruminate on them alone. If Venturi did not suspect Cassian as the wrongdoer, then did that mean Cassian was innocent? Or was he a pawn in someone else's schemes?

He thought on these things as he made his way to the catacombs, moving slowly. When he turned the corridor that led to Elio's cell, he was greeted once again with the presence of Cassian. Cassian wore ceremonial vestments that made his tall body look wide and holy.

"Come to verify my work?" Marcel asked as he approached Elio's room. Cassian leaned against the door beside Elio's and shook his head. He placed a leg up on the opposite wall, blocking Marcel's path.

"Sister Blanca was placed in this room," Cassian told him. "Another of our talented exorcists is in there with her now."

"May the Lord be with her."

"You've doubted me since you returned," Cassian said. He then lowered his leg and ran a hand through his short hair, appearing rather embarrassed. "It is true that Legion has gone too far, but it wasn't my choice to become Cardinal. I didn't even realize the Pope knew my name. I've only met the man a few times, and never alone."

"I never know what to believe when you speak, Cass. Legion or no Legion... You have always been slippery."

"There will be plenty of time to work out our issues once the boy is gone."

Cassian took a few steps to leave but Marcel blocked his path. With a tense jaw, Marcel said, "You will never be enough for me, Cassian. No matter how much space you take."

Cassian left without another word, though Marcel could feel all of Legion's eyes watching him. He never feared Cassian or his demon, though he understood the damage they could do. Speaking with him again, however, did shed more light that Cassian was not the mastermind behind the recent events. He didn't doubt that Cassian barely had an audience with the Pope, but if not him... then who?