Suicide Kings by Christopher J. Ferguson

Author:Christopher J. Ferguson [Ferguson, Christopher J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Horror, Retail, Suspense
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc
Published: 2013-10-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The Virgin Death

Diana slept well into midday and would have stayed in bed longer had Siobhan not finally shaken her awake. There was much to tell the Irish girl: about her meeting with Savonarola, about yet another strange interaction with Francesca di Lucca, about her realization that Sister Maria Innocentia had herself been part of the Sacred Council, about her night with Bernardo.

Siobhan seemed to be in awe of all that happened, yet also in something of a tiff. Once Diana finished her narrative, Siobhan stood with hands on her hips and remarked, “Well you certainly had an interesting day for yourself while I’ve been stuck here folding your unmentionables.”

The back of her dress fully laced, by Siobhan of course, Diana stood and regarded herself in the mirror. “Then don’t mention them. What should I have done? When the Mad Friar who enjoys burning people at the stake for dressing too cheerily invites me for an audience, should I ask if I can bring a companion?”

“You could have picked me up before you went off to the nunnery, couldn’t you? What if the old biddies had it in for you? Who would have protected you while you were busy having your fit?”

Siobhan did have something of a point. Diana had taken considerable chances yesterday, acting alone, no weapon. She’d behaved with risk, even in relation to the past few days. “I’d like to look in on Francesca today. I want to be sure that she is well.”

“Admit it; her prophesies have got you thinking.”

Diana waved her off. “Nonsense. Francesca is a foolish girl.” She put her hands down on the vanity and looked into her own eyes. “But she’s sweet in her own way. Even if she is mad.”

“You don’t know that to be true!” Siobhan protested. “For all you know, God may really be speaking through that girl.”

Diana remained silent, watching her reflection.

Siobhan shook her head in frustration. “One day you’ll learn to have faith in something.”

“As I had faith in my mother?” Diana looked down. “While she joined a Luciferian cult? While she plotted to assassinate the pope? While she cavorted with a man not her husband? Where does my faith begin if it cannot begin with her? With my father, who makes me feel like a stranger in my own home? With a God who deals out fortune and famine with capricious randomness? Or with you, whom I have known but a few short days?”

Diana regretted the words as soon as they were uttered. Siobhan looked wretched as she cried, “When have I wavered in my support of you? It may be only a few days, but how long do you need to see into a person’s heart? Francesca too. Be it miracle or madness, she has reached out a hand to help you. Your condescension sullies her effort.”

Diana turned to face her. “I meant only to express concern for her. As for the rest, faith has never come easy for me. What little I had has been taken from me.

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