Dante spoke through gritted teeth. “Don’t need a key when you can throw rocks.”
Rage burned through her veins, but it had to wait. She’d planned for a quick march through the crowded levels with an alert Dante playing along. Instead, his arm grew heavier around her shoulders, his steps halting, and as they made painstaking progress toward the more crowded levels, every face turning to watch sent a surge of fear through her.
She cast a desperate look over her shoulder at Kamaria and Josef, who were hanging back and trying to blend in with the hundreds of other Saverians milling about.
People would panic if they raced to prop up “Kaleb,” but it would be worse if he fell. Even worse if everyone realized it wasn’t Kaleb at all.
Eventually, they reached the main corridor, and she could make out the Cittadella gate.
“Almost there,” she whispered. “Only a little farther.”
Two figures stepped into their path. Of all the moments.
“Finestra,” her mother said, her hand white-knuckled on Papa’s arm. “I’d appreciate a second of your time.”
Alessa braced her feet to keep Dante upright. “We’re in a bit of a hurry, I’m afraid.”
“Please.” Her voice faltered. “Your brother told us what he did.”
“I don’t have a brother,” Alessa said, her tone flat. “Or a family.” And it still hurt as badly as it had the day she’d left.
“I know you’re angry at me, but I was trying to do as I was told. As the gods wanted me to. Adrick—” She raised a hand to her mouth.
“He should have protected you.” Her father tugged at his short beard. “Not done … what he did.”
Dante stumbled, catching himself as though he’d almost passed out, and it sent a bolt of panic through Alessa. “I’m glad you object to your son trying to kill the Finestra, but I really must go.”
“We object to our son trying to hurt his sister.” Her mother tugged at a lock of gray-threaded hair come loose from her bun. “I was raised to believe it was my duty to forsake my child if he or she was chosen. But I had a duty to you as well. I knew—” She waved a hand. “I knew he visited, and I never asked. I was afraid of what I’d hear. And now…” She pressed a hand to her mouth, her breath hissing. “I should have asked. I should have come.”
“Did the ghiotte—did he harm you?” Papa asked.
“No,” Alessa said. She didn’t know if Dante was fully aware of her words, but she said them for him, too. “He protected me. Always.”
“When I think of how lonely you must have been to welcome him into your confidence—”
Adrick jogged up, alarm written across his face as he took in the family reunion. “I already apologized, Papa. Let her go. She’s got important stuff to do.”
Alessa shot Adrick a desperate look, her knees buckling under Dante’s weight.
“At least take these.” Her mother held out a bundle of envelopes bound with string.
“Okay, Mama, let them go.” Adrick took the parcel and bent to wedge it into the pocket of Dante’s cloak, blanching as he peeked beneath the hood.
Mama’s brow furrowed as Dante’s bowed head lolled forward.
They needed to get him inside. Now.
“Mama, Papa,” Alessa whispered, holding them with her gaze. “If you’ve ever believed me about anything, trust me on this. He’s Dea’s child, as much as you or I. Probably more. I know what the Verità says, but—”
“If you say it, we believe you,” Mama said.
Desperate relief flooded Alessa’s body. “Then help me.”
They might not have fully understood, but her parents weren’t fools.
“May I pray with you, Finestra?” her mother asked loudly. “My husband and son would like to pray with our good Fonte.”
Papa threw his beefy arms wide, and Alessa shoved Dante at him. A Finestra couldn’t touch anyone but their Fonte, but a Fonte wasn’t limited the same way.
With a jovial grin, Papa dragged Dante’s arm around his shoulders, while Adrick gave his arm a hearty squeeze, and together, they walked him toward the gate.
Josef and Kamaria slipped past, while Alessa pretended to listen to her mother’s rambling prayer.
When they were nearly to the gate, Mama’s prayer trailed off. Her eyes welled with tears. “Be safe, my sweet girl.”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Alessa hurried to catch up with Papa and Dante.