Kaleb pressed on Kamaria’s leg. “Bleeding’s slowing. She’ll be okay, but she’ll have a wicked scar.”
Alessa turned to see Dante pulling a massive shard of glass from his shoulder. He sagged against the wall, sliding down it to sit. Cursing at herself, Alessa hurried to give him cover. She hadn’t even asked if he was hurt. He’d heal, but the sight of exposed muscle and bone turned her stomach, and the remnants of his tattered sleeve weren’t enough to hide the damage.
“Help Kamaria. I’ll be fine,” Dante said to Alessa.
“I know you will, but they don’t.” She looked around desperately for something to cover his torn flesh as it began to knit together.
The door flew open. Guards stared, open-mouthed, at the room dusted with glass and blood.
“There was an accident,” Alessa said. “Get bandages. Go!”
It took them a moment, but the Cittadella guards were tasked with protecting the Finestra and Fonte, not arguing, and their training kicked in.
“Saida and Kaleb, help Kamaria to the couch. Elevate her leg.”
Kaleb gaped at Dante. “What about—”
“Just do it.” Alessa bent farther, blocking Kaleb’s view.
“I’m sorry,” Nina cried. “I never wanted to hurt anyone. This was an accident.”
Unlike the statue.
Alessa clenched her teeth. First, she had to take care of Kamaria and protect Dante’s secret. Then, she’d deal with Nina’s betrayal.
Saida rushed inside with an armful of bandages, colliding with Nina, who seemed struck by the need to make amends and tried to wrestle them from her. Rolling her eyes, Saida shoved a handful into Nina’s hands and took the rest to where Kamaria lay on the couch, forearm over her eyes.
Alessa held up a hand to stop Nina, but she kept coming, her red-rimmed eyes fixed on Dante’s shoulder, where he was trying, unsuccessfully, to cover what was left of his injury with his free hand.
Nina stopped mid-stride and shrieked.
“What?” Saida said. “What’s wrong?”
Heaving for breath, Nina pointed. “Ghiotte!”
Kamaria groaned.
“Oh,” said Saida. “Yeah. I had a hunch.”
Teeth bared in a snarl, Dante struggled to his feet as Kaleb stalked over. He’d never looked more like a cornered animal, and it made Alessa ache.
Kaleb stopped a safe distance away. “No wonder you win every fight. I should have known.”
“What is wrong with all of you?” Nina cried. “He’s the reason she killed Emer and Ilsi and Hugo.”
“Dante wasn’t even here when my previous Fontes died,” Alessa said. “He’s done nothing but help us.”
Nina shook her head. “No, he’s evil. A killer.”
“Like you almost became today?” Alessa said. “Or when you used your gift to knock a statue on me?”
Nina began to sob. “I didn’t want to. I was scared.”
“For Dea’s sake, Nina, you tried to kill the Finestra,” Kaleb said. “Take it down a notch with the righteous indignation. Dante had more than enough opportunity to kill us all, but so far, you’re the only one who’s tried to.”
“Nina.” Josef said, jaw tight. “If word gets out about this, it won’t be good for anyone.”
An understatement. If the public suspected a ghiotte had infiltrated the Cittadella, they’d blame him for every death she’d caused. Few would listen to reason.
“I’ll leave.” Dante said.
“No!” Alessa couldn’t tell who’d yelled louder—her, Saida, or Kamaria.
“I say he stays,” Saida said. “And Nina leaves.”
Kaleb shrugged one shoulder. “I’m not telling anyone. But Nina talks more than she prays, and she prays plenty. I don’t think she can keep this to herself.”
“Nina,” Alessa said. “I don’t want to banish you, but I will if I have to. If you’d rather be safe inside the Fortezza, protected by me, you’ll give me your word you’ll take this secret to your grave.”
Josef pulled himself up to his full height. “I give you my word. If she tells a soul, you can banish me, too.”
“Nina?” Alessa waited.
Nina glared through her tears. “I’ll stay quiet, but only if you don’t choose Josef.”
A love for a love.
Alessa nodded. “Josef, take her home.”
Still sobbing, Nina let Josef lead her toward the door. His stone face slipped as they reached it, and he cast one last apologetic look behind him.