In the Shadow of Light by Tracy Causley

Author:Tracy Causley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, fantasy, paranormal, magic, young adult, historical, witch, florence, italy, award winner
Publisher: Tracy Causley

Tsura's father was a weathered-beaten man. Deep lines meandered all over his leathery face. His once thick black hair had thinned and was streaked through with silver. His heavy brow shaded his astute eyes. He sat on a tree stump and leaned on a carved oak staff decorated with colored stones and strange symbols. His eyes were serious as he watched Vittoria approaching with his daughters. His face revealed nothing.

Aishe ran ahead and greeted her father. "Good morning, Papa!" she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Good morning, Aishe," he replied, with a booming chuckle. His eyes crinkled at the edges as he smiled at her.

"Papa, this is Vittoria. Vittoria this is my father, Lucio LaGuardia."

Lucio looked at Vittoria's face for a long time searching for clues. Vittoria noticed several amulets draped around his neck. Vittoria grabbed the small cross that dangled from her own neck and fiddled with it to quell her uneasiness.

"Good morning, Signore. Thank you for your hospitality. Tsura has shown me great kindness and I am very grateful."

A smile appeared on Lucio's face. "You are most welcome, Vittoria," his dark eyes flickered toward Tsura with an approving look. "Please sit down. Would you like something to eat or drink, perhaps?"

Tsura nodded her head encouragingly, so Vittoria accepted the invitation. They sat down side by side on a rug outside the entrance to his tent.

Lucio passed Vittoria a piece of bread and poured a cup of herbal brew for her to drink. Aishe recanted to her father how Vittoria saved her from tumbling into the fire.

"She's like an angel, Papa," Aishe avowed.

"I am sure that she is," Lucio said, patting Aishe's little leg. "Thank the Goddess you are safe. What would I ever do without you, my love?"

Vittoria drank the herbal concoction. It was much stronger than what Tsura had served her. She choked and sputtered on the first sip. Wiping at the dribble on her chin, Vittoria recovered from the surprise.

"Forgive me, Vittoria." Lucio apologized as she coughed. "I tend to prefer my drink on the bitter side," he explained, offering a small shrug. He sent Aishe to fetch the honey.

Tsura laughed and patted Vittoria on the back.

"I'm fine," she said, struggling to clear her throat.

"Did you sleep well?" Lucio asked.

"Yes, I did. But I am still tired. I haven't been sleeping well recently."

"Sleeping under trees is generally not very comfortable," Tsura joked.

"How did you come to be under a tree that far away from Florence? That is where you're from, isn't it?" Lucio asked, his heavy dark brows raised in question.

Vittoria wasn't sure how she came to be under that tree. She didn't remember very much after finding Marcel's letter. So, she avoided answering the first portion of his question.

"I am from Florence. My parents died, and I left home the end of August to seek refuge in the countryside."

"You've been wandering alone for two months?" Lucio asked.

"I'd be terribly bored if I were by myself for that long," Tsura stated.

"Well, no. I, uh, I was only alone for a few days," Vittoria replied.

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