chapter TWENTY-FOUR
On the drive to Vittorio’s house, Samuel tried to explain the process of transferring energy, but as I had found with much relating to power, it was not easy to put into words, or to understand. I decided to trust him and let him do whatever was necessary. I didn’t have the strength to fight.
I was careful to avoid getting too close to Vittorio when we arrived to avoid a replay of what happened at The Chapel. Samuel pulled a chair close to face me while I sat on the couch. He held my hands. Outwardly, it seemed as if he was just sitting there, but I felt his power pulse through the room. His aura was the brown of an oak tree. A moment later, I felt it push into my body. I tried to fight it, but he told me to relax. When I stopped fighting his power, it flowed easily into my body, and I immediately felt stronger, less weary. He pulled his power back into him, and I craved more.
“It is nothing to fear,” Vittorio explained when I expressed my fear of the craving. “Think of it like this; when you are hungry and have not eaten for a long time, if someone takes your plate away when you are only half finished, you still want more, do you not?”
I nodded.
“It is the same with power. Samuel shared some of his energy with you, as you were drained. Of course he can not give you all his energy, and when he pulled away you were still tired, so your power wanted more.”
It made sense. I realized I was looking into Vittorio’s eyes while he spoke, and I felt nothing. Well, maybe not nothing, but I no longer wanted to jump his bones.
I wanted to learn more about the coven as quickly as I could, so decided to pass on asking for a bath, but insisted on coffee. When it was brewed I held the mug in both hands for warmth, though I didn’t think the chill I felt was the kind to be chased away by hot liquid or a blanket.
“We need to talk about the rumors which have stemmed from my absence at The Chapel,” Vittorio began.
“Yeah, and what about me kicking people out of their place in the coven?”
“I was not trying to hide anything from you, Elena. I swear it. I would hide nothing from you.”
Nothing? I wondered how true that was. “Really?”
“Elena, please believe me. It has been a very busy two weeks for us all. I have not had time to tell you everything about myself. And remember, I still know very little about you and your past.” It looked as if he immediately regretted that last part. “I am sorry. I should not have said that. I do not want to push you to tell me anything you do not want to.”
“It’s okay, Vittorio. I understand.” I reached out to cup his face in my hand to emphasize that I was not angry with him.
He leaned in to kiss me, but Samuel interrupted.
“Let’s stay on track, you two. Elena, it’s true. Vittorio has told me of his love for you, and I feel the truth in his words.”
I, too, felt the truth in both Vittorio’s and Samuel’s words. That was something new about my power, if sensing truth really was an aspect of it. I would have to ask Vittorio about that later.
“Okay, fine. I believe you. But I still don’t understand what’s going on. Why are they so threatened by me? And just what is your position in the coven?”
“I am La Guardia, the guardian of the Sacerdote. He trains others, but I am the one he teaches the most secret rituals to in order to carry them on through the generations. Some speculate that I want to take control, but that is simply not true. I do not wish to have that responsibility. The greedy ones do not understand that. Now that you are in the picture, they think I am going to use you to solidify my power and position.”
“But why me? Why would I have anything to do with that? And what’s a Sacerdote?” I stumbled over the unfamiliar word.
“Sacerdote is the High Priest. Sacerdotessa is the High Priestess. It is true I have never been so easily enchanted by any woman as I have been by you, mio amore. You come from nowhere, steal my heart, then we disappear from their sight for nearly two weeks after you come into your power. Most thought your dizzy spell was from alcohol, but some saw it for what it was; our powers acknowledging each other. Those are the ones who started the rumors.”
“Were the three who insulted me tonight any of them?” I didn’t let on that I knew who Elizabeth was. Knowing she was against us caused me to question Samuel’s loyalty. What was his relationship with her?
“Yes, they are the most vocal. And now they will be even more fearful than before.”
“Why?”
“Because of the strength of your power. You should not have been able to control it as well as you did tonight after so little training. Perhaps you could have sent the power out to them, but most would have lost control at that point, and the consequences would have been unpleasant to say the least. But you gave them the slightest taste of your power, then called it back to you. Yes, you were drained afterwards, but you have no idea how powerful a display that was. If I did not know your sensitive, kind nature, I would understand their fear. But while I do not know much about you, Elena, I do know you would never use your power for ill. I know they have nothing to fear, but they do not know you as I do.”
“What do I do now? How do I convince them I don’t care about them? And why are they so afraid of you trying to take over?”
“I do not know the answer to your first two questions. That is what we will have to figure out. For now, I do not think there is much we can do to convince them otherwise. As for why they are afraid of me trying to take control of the coven, now is the perfect time. Our Sacerdote, Clavius, is weakened. The Sacerdotessa, Aerin, who is also his wife, was killed in a burglary of their home a few months ago. He has not recovered from losing her, so if someone is going to try to overthrow him, now is the time. Since I am La Guardia, it would be logical for me to try. They don’t understand that I would never betray him. Now that you are in the picture, they believe you could easily take the place of Sacerdotessa alongside me.”
“I fear a power struggle will rear its ugly head soon,” Samuel said.
Vittorio sighed. “I fear you are correct. I would love nothing more than to simply step down and let them fight amongst themselves. But I have seen their character. I can not in good conscience let any of them take control of the coven. It is not a position I desire, but I desire it to be in their hands even less.” When Vittorio looked at me again, the pain in his eyes nearly broke my heart. “I am so sorry, mio amore.”
“For what?”
“For what you are about to experience. Because of what you mean to me, you will be caught up in the power struggle that is likely to occur.”
“I don’t care about any of that. I don’t want any power in this coven.”
“They will not believe you. If you want to walk away, I will understand. It will break my heart, but it may be the best thing for you. If you leave, and never speak to me again, I will help you find another teacher.” Tears glistened in his eyes.
“No,” I sobbed, surprised to find my own tears. I clung to his hands. “I won’t leave. I love you. I can’t leave you.”
“I told you I would not let any harm come to you. I will do my best, but may not be able to keep that promise if you stay with me through this fight.”
“I don’t care.”
“At least think about it. Please, mio amore. I do not want to see you hurt.” He pulled away from me slightly.
“There’s nothing to think about.”
“Elena, you’re tired. It’s been a trying night for us all. Don’t make any rash decisions one way or the other right now. Vittorio is right. You should at least think about leaving,” Samuel said.
I glared at Samuel. I felt the electric power rising in my body again. How dare he tell me how to live my life? Samuel looked at me in alarm, which was enough to keep me in check. I pushed my power back down, convinced it that Samuel was not the enemy. It receded, but didn’t believe me.
“Very good. Control under emotional stress. I understand why they are frightened of you,” Samuel said.
I thought I saw something less than honorable flicker in his eyes, but it could have just been the tears blurring my vision. Instead, I looked at the pain in Vittorio’s eyes. “I’ll consider it, but I won’t be happy about it. I tell you I love you, and you ask me to leave in the same night. Is Sarah here? I want to go home.”
“You can stay in the guest bedroom if you like,” Vittorio said.
“I’m not very happy with you right now. I’d rather not be here.” I sat back on the couch, arms crossed over my chest, like a sullen teenager.
Vittorio slumped in his chair, and I wanted to apologize, to hold him, tell him I didn’t mean it. But I did mean it. I felt like a fool.
“Very well. Sarah will take you home. I am sorry for any pain I have caused you, mio amore.”
“I know you don’t mean it.” I caved in and let him embrace me before I left. The warmth of his arms almost changed my mind about going home, but I was angry with him. I had to be stronger than that.