from custody.’
What? ‘You’re letting me go?’ she blurted. Why would they do that?
The captain smiled at her outburst. ‘I’m as surprised as you. The decision came in record time: Galileo had to wait almost three hundred and sixty years for his reprieve.’
Did he just diss the Church? ‘Then they’ve decided I’m not evil?’ she asked, still not understanding the news.
‘It’s more of a wait-and-see attitude. Apparently the Holy Father knows something about these inscriptions that we don’t. In the meantime, you are to be released to Grand Master Stewart’s care.’
Riley cocked her head. ‘What does that mean exactly?’
‘Since he has agreed to act as your guardian in the eyes of the Church, you are the master’s responsibility,’ Salvatore replied. ‘If you do anything that leads Rome to believe you are acting on Hell’s behalf, you will be arrested and tried. So will Grand Master Stewart, which will create major diplomatic issues between the International Guild and the Holy See. If I were you, I’d try hard to stay out of trouble.’
‘Stewart must have been crazy to make such a deal.’
Salvatore grunted in agreement.
Why did the Pope free me? Could Heaven have told him what I’m supposed to do? There was no way to know.
‘So what does the priest think about this?’
‘Father Rosetti initially believed you were at the centre of Atlanta’s issues. After consulting Rome, he’s unsure. Still, he fears you may eventually pose a threat.’
‘What about the Nordic dude, the one with the attitude problem?’
‘Lieutenant Amundson is very displeased.’ Salvatore’s smile grew as if he was enjoying that fact immensely. ‘However, neither Rosetti nor the lieutenant dare contradict the Holy Father in such matters.’
What should she say now? So long and thanks for not torturing me? You guys are awesome?
Instead Riley went in another direction. ‘Why do you think someone was messing with Simon’s head?’
Salvatore studied her more closely now. ‘It’s been known to happen after a traumatic event. Hell seeks to exploit your doubts when you’re most vulnerable. Just because someone is deeply religious doesn’t keep the temptation at bay.’
‘Heaven’s the same way,’ she murmured. ‘They knew I wasn’t going to let Simon die. They knew which button to push.’
‘So it appears. We will be taking a closer look at Mr Adler. Perhaps we can learn who has been influencing him.’
‘Why did you meet me outside the hotel?’ she asked, curious.
‘I wanted to judge you for myself before Rosetti put the fear of God into you. What I found was a young girl who was morally outraged that someone was making money at the expense of dead trappers. That told me your heart wasn’t dark, or least not completely compromised.’
‘So we could have skipped the whole anoint me with Holy Water episode?’
Salvatore shook his head. ‘Besides, I wouldn’t missed that for the world.’
Her cellphone was returned, followed by a business card. It was embossed with the seal of St George and the dragon and had his name written in Gothic script.
‘Please check in with me every twenty-four hours so we know your whereabouts. I’ll need a brief report of your activities to satisfy Rome.’
‘I will. Thanks . . . Elias,’ she said, hoping that wasn’t a breach of protocol. The man had been decent to her and she wanted him to know she appreciated that.
‘You’re welcome, Riley. You will be taken to your apartment so you can gather what you need. From there Müller will drive you to Master Stewart’s. You are to stay with him for the time being.’
Beats living on the streets.
Riley looked out into the darkness. ‘You know, sometimes I wish I’d never seen a demon,’ she conceded.
The captain sighed. ‘Don’t we all.’
Chapter Eleven
Riley’s I can’t freakin’ believe they let me go euphoria continued during her ride in the tech-laden Demon Hunter van with Private
What? ‘You’re letting me go?’ she blurted. Why would they do that?
The captain smiled at her outburst. ‘I’m as surprised as you. The decision came in record time: Galileo had to wait almost three hundred and sixty years for his reprieve.’
Did he just diss the Church? ‘Then they’ve decided I’m not evil?’ she asked, still not understanding the news.
‘It’s more of a wait-and-see attitude. Apparently the Holy Father knows something about these inscriptions that we don’t. In the meantime, you are to be released to Grand Master Stewart’s care.’
Riley cocked her head. ‘What does that mean exactly?’
‘Since he has agreed to act as your guardian in the eyes of the Church, you are the master’s responsibility,’ Salvatore replied. ‘If you do anything that leads Rome to believe you are acting on Hell’s behalf, you will be arrested and tried. So will Grand Master Stewart, which will create major diplomatic issues between the International Guild and the Holy See. If I were you, I’d try hard to stay out of trouble.’
‘Stewart must have been crazy to make such a deal.’
Salvatore grunted in agreement.
Why did the Pope free me? Could Heaven have told him what I’m supposed to do? There was no way to know.
‘So what does the priest think about this?’
‘Father Rosetti initially believed you were at the centre of Atlanta’s issues. After consulting Rome, he’s unsure. Still, he fears you may eventually pose a threat.’
‘What about the Nordic dude, the one with the attitude problem?’
‘Lieutenant Amundson is very displeased.’ Salvatore’s smile grew as if he was enjoying that fact immensely. ‘However, neither Rosetti nor the lieutenant dare contradict the Holy Father in such matters.’
What should she say now? So long and thanks for not torturing me? You guys are awesome?
Instead Riley went in another direction. ‘Why do you think someone was messing with Simon’s head?’
Salvatore studied her more closely now. ‘It’s been known to happen after a traumatic event. Hell seeks to exploit your doubts when you’re most vulnerable. Just because someone is deeply religious doesn’t keep the temptation at bay.’
‘Heaven’s the same way,’ she murmured. ‘They knew I wasn’t going to let Simon die. They knew which button to push.’
‘So it appears. We will be taking a closer look at Mr Adler. Perhaps we can learn who has been influencing him.’
‘Why did you meet me outside the hotel?’ she asked, curious.
‘I wanted to judge you for myself before Rosetti put the fear of God into you. What I found was a young girl who was morally outraged that someone was making money at the expense of dead trappers. That told me your heart wasn’t dark, or least not completely compromised.’
‘So we could have skipped the whole anoint me with Holy Water episode?’
Salvatore shook his head. ‘Besides, I wouldn’t missed that for the world.’
Her cellphone was returned, followed by a business card. It was embossed with the seal of St George and the dragon and had his name written in Gothic script.
‘Please check in with me every twenty-four hours so we know your whereabouts. I’ll need a brief report of your activities to satisfy Rome.’
‘I will. Thanks . . . Elias,’ she said, hoping that wasn’t a breach of protocol. The man had been decent to her and she wanted him to know she appreciated that.
‘You’re welcome, Riley. You will be taken to your apartment so you can gather what you need. From there Müller will drive you to Master Stewart’s. You are to stay with him for the time being.’
Beats living on the streets.
Riley looked out into the darkness. ‘You know, sometimes I wish I’d never seen a demon,’ she conceded.
The captain sighed. ‘Don’t we all.’
Chapter Eleven
Riley’s I can’t freakin’ believe they let me go euphoria continued during her ride in the tech-laden Demon Hunter van with Private
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