The Man From Rome by Dylan James Quarles

Author:Dylan James Quarles [Quarles, Dylan James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-05-04T18:30:00+00:00

XXVIII

Louisa returned to herself with a jolt that was like falling out of bed. The room spun in alternating shades of color and light, vision and sound. Blinking between two different realities, she felt dizzy, overwhelmed. Putting her hands out, she tried to steady herself, tried to grasp the very fabric of existence.

“Here,” spoke the Man. “Have one of these. It will help to center you.”

He opened a silver cigarette case and extended it to her.

“I—” swallowed Louisa. “What did you just do to me? What was that?”

She glanced at Cato.

“You—you saw it too, right?”

Cato swayed on his feet and gave a little nod.

“Cato knows well the power of memory,” said the Man with a smile. “He knows that time is a river—navigable.”

Offering Cato the cigarettes, he struck a light for him.

“Then again, he has been training for this his entire life. You, on the other hand, are barely hatched.”

A fresh bout of dizziness washed over Louisa. She wavered and shook her head.

“But, what was it? How did you do that? I—I was there. It was real…”

Shrugging, the Man gestured to the open air.

“Consciousness yearns to be shared, Louisa. Language is thought made manifest. With the right words, anything is possible. I spoke and you saw. It is as simple as that.”

Louisa thought back to the night before, recalling Giorgio’s golden eyes and electric touch.

“Sei Dio?” She murmured, looking up. “Are you God?”

“No,” spoke the Man.

“Il Diavolo?”

He chuckled.

“No.”

“Then—then what are you?”

The Man drew near and took Louisa’s hand. At once, her world snapped into focus.

“I am a Roman,” he whispered.

Shivering at the heat of his voice, the depth of it, Louisa gazed into his eyes.

“Now that you have seen what is facing us,” he said. “You know how dangerous such a designation has become.”

He turned away.

“Artemis seeks revenge for Apollo’s death, and will not relent until she has it. La Spada Spezzata was just a minor display. More will die, mark my words.”

“Can’t you stop her?” Pressed Louisa. “Can’t you do something—anything?”

The Man looked defeated.

“I’m afraid there is little I can do,” he said. “Artemis is planning something—a trap. Since I know not what it is, I am in constant danger of falling into it. Leta had the answers we needed, but she is dead.”

“Leta?”

“The girl from the river,” said Cato, breaking his silence. “The one with no tongue and silver down her throat. Her name was Leta. Artemis killed her.”

With a twitch, Louisa’s hand shot to her purse.

“You—you’re looking for her, right?” She stammered. “I mean—you’re looking for her room, aren’t you?”

Cato and the Man exchanged pointed glances.

“Yes,” said the Man. “How did you know that?”

Moving to the table, Louisa pulled the map from her purse.

“I picked this up in the alleyway last night.”

She tapped the Xed out dots.

“These are hotels and hostels. But, what are you looking for—what are you hoping to find?”

The Man eyed the map for a moment, then sighed.

“Much like Cato,” he said. “Leta was an agent of mine. She was killed because she uncovered what Artemis and are her surrogates are planning.

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