Blood Line

Royal Pedigree

"Tell me, Witch. Where is Una Bella?" Emeritus gripped his throne's ornate armrests so hard he whitened the knuckles of his hands. He cursed heavily in ancient Latin.

Allasandra shrugged, enjoying the pope's near apoplectic fit, "Why should I tell you that, your Holiness?"

"Because you insidious creature, I'll have you executed if you don't prove your questionable skills. Slowly and painfully. Now, show me Una Bella!"

"You are an impatient man for someone supposed to be in touch with God." Unfazed, Allasandra pulled the glass globe from her robes repressing a coy smile. She held up the glowing sphere to the Papus, but she did not allow him to touch it. Unbeknownst to Emeritus, she could falsely project an image into the magical glass to mislead an enemy. After a moment, Emeritus could see the scenes playing out in the sphere. He eagerly leaned forward to see more clearly.

"Where is she?"

"Una Bella is with her new mate in the Misty Forrest." She informed him.

"Who else is with them?

"They're alone."

Emeritus slumped back in relief to the news.

Allasandra, paused then did a double take. "No wait! I see an emissary of the Oculus in their presence."

"Great mother, they invoked the Unholy Alliance?" Emeritus' fangs unsheathed as he hissed in uncontrolled rage. "This dangerous liaison cannot be allowed! He pressed a button on the arm of the chair immediately summoning his guards.  Raphael returned with the Vatican soldiers.

"Allasandra, show Raphael what you know of the enemies' activities." The pope's eyes had turned a deep red as if the blood in his veins was boiling.

Raphael dismissed Emeritus' fury, frowning at Allasandra with suspicion.

"Your Holiness, how can you trust this woman? He drew closer to cautiously peer into the globe. Allasandra proffered it to him, then skillfully dropped the seeing glass making it look like an accident as the globe hit the floor exploding into minute shards of glass. She angrily rounded on him.

"Fool! Look what you've done. I'll need to secure another one!"

Raphael was not fooled by the tactic.

"I don't believe any of this ridiculous carnival smoke and mirror act you're performing. He turned to Emeritus.

"My Lord, she has you seeing what you already want to believe! You know we cannot cross the Unholy River! It would break the covenant with the Oculus."

"There is no need to cross that territory boundary." Allasandra soothed. "I can cast my spells from anywhere."

Emeritus rubbed his chin, obviously liking the idea of not having to antagonize the Oculus, or travel outside the safety of the Vatican's walls.

"Very well, Witch. Kneel before me." The Pope held out his jeweled hand.

Understanding the gesture, Allasandra balked.
"What are you doing? I won't kiss your ring!"

Emeritus withdrew his hand "You uncouth creature! You lack even basic court training." I should have expected that with you being from the country."

Allasandra bit her tongue to quell the curse brewing there.

"On the contrary, your Holiness, I can swiftly learn royal protocol, but the arts I am trained in will be invaluable in the coming days." She bowed low to him, concealing a triumphant smile.