Starling (6 page)
Authors: Fiona Paul
“Man is more willing to believe in
imaginary monsters than to accept that his
brothers are the monsters who wish him harm.”
oving quickly to one side of the doorway, Cass
positioned herself to ambush whoever had discovered them, if needed. Narissa shuffled into
the room, brandishing a heavy iron skillet in her
hand. Her brow furrowed when she saw Luca’s supine figure illuminated by the single candle flame.
Narissa flinched, but she lowered her skillet when she saw Cass.
“
Grazie a Dio.
Signorina Cassandra! You’re alive.”
“Yes.”
“I thought you were robbers come to loot the place.” Narissa
Cass tensed in surprise. She had expected Agnese’s handmaid to
be furious with her, not to embrace her. The old Narissa would have
lectured her on how her impulsive behavior had, literally, killed her
aunt. Perhaps grief had softened her, or perhaps seeing Cass alive
was almost like regaining a piece of Agnese.
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