Starling (70 page)

“The capacity for betrayal shines bright
within all men. The heart must
snuff out the flame.”

ass awoke with stone pressing into her side, much as it
had when she slept on the streets of the Ghetto. She sat
up slowly in the dark, one hand feeling around her
body. The blackness was thick and even, like the
mourning draperies that adorned the windows of Villa Querini.

Nothing moved. No wind. No leaves or trash skating across the
cobblestones. She was inside.
Somewhere.
Her head was still foggy from the remnants of whatever chemical
Piero had used to subdue her. She squeezed her eyes shut and then
opened them wide. Pressing her fingertips to her temples, she tried to
quell the steady beats of pain that pulsed inside her head.
No matter what has happened, you’ll be all right.
The words
floated at the edge of her consciousness. Luca’s voice. He seemed so
far away, like Cass might never see him again. No, she couldn’t think
like that. She raised one hand to her throat and was relieved to find
her lily pendant still fastened around her neck. She would find Luca
and he would forgive her. But first she had to figure out where she