THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA

  [ CHAPTER  43 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA )  -  { PT.  5 } - I know you will not fail me. Your Eminence, as always, you can rely on me. Tell me more about these people. They are all sinners against God, but one, in particular, is like the other harlots you disposed of. However, she has proved to be the most resourceful and dangerous. Do not let your guard down. Dangerous how, Your Eminence? She has bewitching powers that I have experienced first-hand and never seen the likes of before. And she has followers who would risk their lives for her. I have no doubt that she has fornicated with the devil himself and her life must be ended before the beast comes to full term. Your Eminence, please offer your prayers for my protection against this beast, and bless this killing as an offer to our almighty creator. That I will, Kristoff. That I will. Her followers will be easier to locate, and where you find her. The details I have are for a Frya and Kurush Attar...                         

[ CHAPTER  43 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT.  4 } - The surrounding walls were formed from coarse stone, and hanging on one side was a portrait of the man himself sitting in the Pope's throne. His smile was unable to disguise the nefarious pucker in his lips and the greed in his eyes. A four-poster bed with a wine-coloured quilt embroidered with gold thread was to the left of the protrait. He pulled open the central drawer of the desk, retrieved a cell phone and hit the speed-dial button. There were seven rings followed by a monotone beep. I have a message from God, he said before ending the call. Moments later, the cell phone's rings echoed through the room. The Cardinal answered, saying nothing. What is God's message? said a gruff voice. Kristoff. I am glad you are well. There is always slight trepidation when I call on your services. You Eminence, it is with your prayers and blessings that I remain in this world. I am sure of it. How may I be of service? I nee

  [ CHAPTER  43 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT.  3 } - The bookcase swung open, and a hand wrapped in a white bandage grasped the doorway followed by the body to which it belonged. Did they look convinced? Yes, Your Eminence, but the detective insisted you call her to arrange another day when she may call upon you. She would like you to confirm the story so that she can close the inquiry. She called it an absurd inquiry, Your Eminence. The Cardinal's mouth curved like a sickle. Well, I am a man of God, after all. Indeed you are Your Eminence. He walked to the Cardinal's desk and placed the detective's card on the table. At your convenience, Your Eminence. Is it time for my brandy? He winced as he stretched his bandage hand. Hans looked at his watch. It is, Your Eminence. I will fetch it now. Make it a double, today. As you wish, Your Eminence. Hans bowed his head and left the room. The Cardinal returned to the secret chamber and made his way across the irregular s

  [ CHAPTER  43 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT.  2 } - The detective opened her notebook and scrutinised her own rushed scribbles through large orbicular eyes. So just you and your wife were here all day and night. Gertrude, is her name? Yes. She is the house cook. She's shopping at present. I will need her to visit me at the station to confirm your story. Of course. She will do her moral duty, replied Hans. Also, have His Eminence call me at this number. She handed him a card. I will pay him another visit at his convenience, of course. I just need him to reiterate your story so that I may close this absurd inquiry. The butler nodded and took the card. Is it okay if my wife makes a statement when you visit His Eminence? To save her a trip to the station. That'll be fine, she said with a nod. Hans shut the door and walked across the hallway, through the lengthly corridor, and into the Cardinal's study where he approached a bookcase towards the back of the room. He

  [ CHAPTER  43 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT.  1 } - A solitary police car stood out like a blemish on the plush, pebbled driveway of the Cardinal's palatial home. Botticelli's modest woman watched through lofty eyes as water flowed from the shell in which she stood, leaving not a spot of her mildewed skin dry. A uniformed officer left the premises and entered the driver's side of the car, while a plain-clothes detective stood at the door. The androgynous woman, her short, coal-coloured hair slicked back with handfuls of gel, spoke in a husky voice. Thank you for your cooperation, Hans. Fresh mint masked the stale odour of cigarettes lingering on her breath as she spoke. However, I will need the Cardinal to confirm that he has been away since yesterday morning? I will inform His Eminence, but he won't be back until this evening. He is currently in meetings with His Holiness. I cannot interrupt him.            _________________________________________________

  [ THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ] -  ( CHAPTER  42 ) - { PT.  14 } - He said, Tell Frya I love her and not to worry because the Messiah came to me and told me my work was done. That death does not exist, and the feeling is like passing through a dark doorway and being greeted by the sun. An hour later, he was dead. Although Don Primo fired the gun, it wasn't what killed him. He died from his wounds.                                                    ________________________________________________________   

  [ THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ] -  ( CHAPTER  42 ) - { PT.  13 } - You want to tell me what happened with Don Primo? Why the change? How? We had an argument, and I was so angry I slapped him. He told me he was going to kill the baby and made a fist to punch my belly. As his hand came towards me, it was as if it hit a force field that rebounded towards him. He flew back, hit the door and was momentarily stunned. Then he burst into tears and begged my forgiveness. And Benito? During the process, Don Primo grabbed his arm and he felt it, too. These two hardened men crying like babies. We should leave called out Kurush. As they drove away, the plush house disappeared down the unsuspecting street as if the horrors within it were a work of fiction. They were completely exhausted, and Frya's sobs lay heavy on their hearts. Angelica placed her hand on her shoulder. Did you see him? asked Frya, turning to Christiano. I did. I'm sorry. He was in a bad way. There was nothing I could do. S

  [ THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ] - ( CHAPTER  42 ) - { PT.  12 } - You be careful and if you need need anything, call me. I will. She stared at him for a moment. You won't go back to your old ways, will you? I don't know what has happened to me, but I'm not that man anymore. It's as if the veil of lies has been lifted from my eyes and I now know who I truly am. Where will you go? After I've helped Don Primo's wife, I'll take my family and leave the country. I don't know, maybe a Greek island for a while. Can we come with you and help the Messiah? If our paths cross again, we'll see, but for now, go to your family. Can I ah...feel the baby one last time? She nodded and placed his hand on her belly. He breath in as a rush of peace coursed through his body. He leaned in and kissed her bump. Thank you, he said. You saved my life. Benito, one last question. I tried calling Enzo. Is he... Benito dropped his head. Don Primo realised he was helping you. I'

  [ CHAPTER  42 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT.  11 } - The exhausted couple continued on foot towards the palace gates. We should call the police, said Angelica. We'll make an anonymous call once we're of here. As they passed through the wrought iron gates, Christiano noticed the words Dei Verbum embossed on the gates. Word of God, he mumbled. What? said Angelica. Nothing. Frya and Kurush, who were parked opposite te estate, rushed out of their vehicle. Frya looked eagerly behind them for Johan. She grabbed Angelica's shoulder and shook her. Where's Johan? Kurush pulled her away and clung to her tightly, all the while his gaze on Christiano, who shook his head gravely. Frya collapsed in her father's arms, howling Johan's name. Her father picked up her limp body and carried her to the car. Christiano opened the passenger door, and Kurush sat her down. He grabbed a bottle of water from the floor, drenched his handkerchief and dabbed her forehead as she

  [ THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ] - { PT.  10 } - Christiano pulled the blade up and hammered it back down once more, lodging the knife and the Cardinal's hand to the table. The man's shrieks ricocheted round the room. He dropped to his knees, his hand still wedged to the table. Tears streamed down his plump face. Christiano released his grip. Let that be a constant reminder to you. He took hold of Angelica hand, and they left the cellar where they made their way to the kitchen and through to the hallway. At the front door, he pushed the buzzer that opened the front gate and they entered the courtyard. Isn't that one of Don Primo men? He pointed to Benito seated in the Mercedes. Benito stepped out of the car. He's dead, isn't he? He was very brave, replied Angelica. He saved my life, twice. You know what he wanted you to do. He nodded. Is his body in the basement? His and Vincenzo's replied Angelica. He stared at the house for a moment before taking a deep inhalat

  [ CHAPTER  42 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT.  9 } - He tugged at the bottom end and pulled out a long sharp blade. Its light reflected in their eyes as he moved with seething determination, one incompetent foot after another as he made his way towards them. His voice trembled as he spoke, I am a man of God... And I t...tell you in God's own words that only the b...east can be born of a whore. You carry the anti-Christ in your diseased womb and you must...die. He lunged forward with the knife to meet Christiano's firm clasp around his wrist. Christiano forced the blade from his grip and slapped him across the face with the back of his hand. You're no man of God. Your heart and Soul belong to hell. He pulled him from the back of his neck towards the table. How many women have you killed? And Johan! Who else? Who else, so that you can keep your position? You can't even see how lost you are! Christiano forced the Cardinal's hand on the table and faced his p

 [  [CHAPTER  42 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT.  8 } - Kill . . . . .her! He squeezed Cedric's arm. Cedric cocked the trigger and with his eyes focused on Angelica, he fired the shot. Time seemed to slow for Christiano, who threw his body around Angelica and fell on top of her. The slug hit the wall and wedged itself in the plaster. Another shot fired. They peered out from beneath Christiano's arms to see Cedric's face smash against the concrete floor. The gun fell from Don Primo's hand with a metallic clang. Angelica rushed to him, kneeled by his side and gently gripped his hand. Thank you. You saved me. True to your word. He smiled at her and gave her hand a weak squeeze.It was the least I could do. May God forgive me for the man I was. With his last word, came his final breath. She placed her hands over his eyelids and shut them. A bewildered Christiano stood over her. She looked up at him. He had a change of heart. She stood up and sobbed into his chest.

  ( CHAPTER  42 ) - [ THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ] - { PT.  7 } - Sammel dropped to his knees, a frozen picture of shock on his face. With his perplexed gaze on Don Primo, he turned his gun on him and fired as he hit the ground. The bullet dropped Don Primo on his back, his gun still in his hand. Deep crimson stained his hands as he clutched at the hole in his stomach. Christinao's lashings intensified. He stood up, still tied to the chair, and smashed his back against the wall. Cedric who was still kneeling by the Cardinal, stood up, his gun in his hand, his eyes meeting Vincenzo's. They froze for a moment. Vincenzo reached for his gun. Cedric fired. The bullet hit Vincenzo between the eyes. His bulky mass sent a seismic shock through the ground as he crashed to the floor--wide--eyed and dead. Christiano continued smashing the chair against the wall until it lay on the ground in a mound of splinters. He loosened his ropes and lunged forward, grabbing hold on Angelica. Cedric ob

  ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA )  - [ CHAPTER  42 ] - { PT.  6 } - A triumphant smirk lit up his portly cheeks. He searched the room with greedy eyes. As his gaze fell on Angelica's scathing glare, his sneer faded. His heart jumped violently in his chest and a crippling intoxication seeped through his veins. Each limb grew heavy with fatigue. He tried to step back, but his feet were cemented to the ground. With all the energy he could muster, he raised an accusing finger at Angelica. You... wick...ed, wo...man. He collapsed to his knees. Cedric kneeled by his side, while Sammel rushed to his aid. They laid him comfortably on the ground as he clutched at his chest. His face turned a plum shade as he gasped for breath. He gripped Sammel's arm. K...k...Kill the w...witch, he said. Sammel stood up, pulled out his gun and pointed it at Angelica. A bolt of adrenalin rocked through Christinano, recharging the cells of his body. He writhed and fidgeted in an attempt to loosen his ties.

  [ CHAPTER  42 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA ) - { PT.  5 } - A fumbling sound from the other side pulled the hefty door open and a foul, foetid smell charged at her nostrils. Unable to hold back any longer, she stooped and heaved and coughed as bile spilled from her mouth to the floor. She slowly raised her her to see speckles of red leading to a pair of blood-splattered shoes. She followed the line of the trousers all the way to a beefy face, unmistakably Vincenzo's. A shove behind her pushed her into the room. That's when she saw him, strapped to a chair, his face a mass of blood layering his skin like a mud mask. She reeled back in shock at the unrecognisable features, so swollen that his eyes had been swallowed by his own swelling flash. Chrisrtiano! She rushed forward. Vincenzo obstructed her path. She turned to Don Primo with a look of pleading. He nodded, and Vincenzo moved aside. She rushed to him, but her moistened eyes obscured her vision. You should not have come

[ CHAPTER  42 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA )  -  { PT. 4 } - She moved through to a sizable, unoccupied kitchen, stopped and turned to him. Did I tell you to stop? Through the door opposite. He nudged her forward to yet another closed door and pushed it open to reveal a steep flight of steps and a drifting odour suffused with death. Her eagerness to see Christiano was replaced by a gripping fear. Move, he said. She ventured forward under a wan light, down spiralling stone stairs. With each step, the combined stench of faeces, urine and blood grew stronger. It sucked through her nostrils with her every breath. She stumbled with nausea. Don Primo gripped her arm and led her the rest of the way down until they reached a large cellar that narrowed down to a small corridor. The potent smell increased still further--more metallic now and combined with rotting wood. Angelica gripped her stomach as she heaved. Lining the corridor were at least six rooms with sealed doors. Don Primo pulled h

  ( CHAPTER  42 ) - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA: - { PT.  3 } - I think she did, replied Kurush. What kind of mother would risk the life of her child, let alone the unborn Messiah? She is saving Johan and the man she loves. She is sealing the fate of the world. We'd better get to the Cardinal's before it's too late.  SAMMEL GREETED DON PRIMO with a wide grin as Angelica stepped out of the car. I thought you'd never deliver.Don Primo's icy glower sent a clear warning signal to Sammel, who gulped and moved aside to let them in. Don Primo shoved Angelica forward. Get in the house. He turned to benito who walked behind him. Wait in the car. Benito nodded. Angelica stared directly at Sammel with eyes of raging fire as she entered the orbed hallway. She stopped to gawp at the palatial surrounds. The air whistled past her ears in an eerie silence that caused her hair to stand on end. The entrance was devoid of furnishings, and the sun streamed shards of golden light on the m

( CHAPTER  42 )  -  THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA - { PT. } - Papa, I'm going to the house. Are you coming with me or not? And what do you intend to do when you get there? I'm going to take a look around. Knock on the door if necessary. If I suspect anything, I will call the police. It's a risk I'm willing to take. I will go, said Kurush. Alone. I'll speak with Angelica. You two would be safer staying here. If I'm forced to involve the police, I want you to flee with Angelica. You know the arrangements. Papa--! Before she could finish her protest, Kurush was in the hallway knocking on Angelica's door. He waited for permission to enter but heard nothing. Angelica? The door creaked open beneath his hand. He peered inside to find an abandoned room. Angelica? Back in the hallway, he knocked on the bathroom door. There was no reply. He tested the handle, pushing the door open. The room was vacant. Angelica! Frya joined him in the hallway. Her eyes searched his. Papa?

  [ CHAPTER  41 ] - ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARI )  -  { PT.  1 } - So are we just going to leave them there? protested Frya. No police? Nothing? As if Johan never existed? Kurush rubbed his furrowed brow. If we involve the police, Angelica confirmed they will die, for sure. And the Cardinal will have Angelica. The mission comes first. You know this. Johan knows this. Papa, they have the man I love. The man I'm going to marry. After everything. He's like a son to you. Do you think I take this lightly? I know they're at the Cardinal's house and I think we should confront him. You, yourself, announced how dangerous he is only last night at dinner. And why would the Cardinal be so stupid as to take them to his home? Because he's above the law. Because that is where Johan went. He told us of the basement rooms and the incinerator. Of the man who was taken down there never to be seen again. We don't know if the man was killed. Johan's shift was over, and... he trai

  { PT.  9 } - THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA - Whether he's the father or not, he dies because you love him and I know you had sex with him. Angelica found herself slapping his face as if her hand was fuelled by its own mind. His cheek turned crimson with immediate effect, joined by the rest of his face. You're dead, he screamed, but first, you're going to feel that bastard child dying inside you. His hand formed a first and he thrust it forward with all his venom, aiming directly at her stomach.                                                  _________________________________________________________  

  [ CHAPTER  41 ]  -  ( THE PRIEST OF SANTA MARIA )  -  { PT.  8 } - Do you understand this, Don Primo? His smirk faded, and an unmissable glint of fear flashed past his eyes, but it was gone in an instant. Gone for forgotten. He took her arm. Your lover boy is waiting for you. You won't cause a scene if you want him to live. Angelica released the tension in her arm, making it easier for Don Primo to drag her along. They looked like a father and daughter casually walking the streets of Rome. When they reached the car, Benito opened the door for them and they entered. As the car cruised the streets, a loaded silence choked the air until Angelica spoke, You said Christiano is waiting for me. Did you kill Johan or just shoot in the air? The priest is alive, but not for long. As for Johan, I did him a favour. My men were--how should I put it? Overzealous in their questioning. He was a good man. He has a fiance whose life has just been shattered. He did nothing to you. You told me you w