Chapter 184 Malta
Alex’s POV
The plane starts a slow descent ,Peering through the window I watch as the island comes into view .I glance around the cabin, most of them are wide awake now but quiet . Luca is half asleep on my right ,Lucy and Angelica have resumed studying the scripts . Hugh's forehead is pressed on the window , I like how hekeeps an eye on everything .Quiet but attentive ,A man who did not hesitate to switch loyalties when he felt he was with the rightful ruler.
Glancing Back Alessia and her father seem to be discussing softly catching up on lost time. I do not call her attention this is their time. Father and Daughter and it is long overdue.The plane dips lower slowly as the wheels open beneath our feet in preparation of landing. We land smoothly minutes later the tires landing on the runway with a jolt .We slowly advance on the runway for some minutes before the plane comes to a stop.
Lucy finally drops the scripts she was studying “We have arrived at Malta?"
I nod, “Yes, it's a brief stop over.”
Angelica stretches beside her “Oh great I would love a cup of fresh coffee from the convenience store.”
I nod, simple pleasures are food for the souls “You should give the cabin crew your list” I watch her and Lucy as they slip out of their chairs to do just that .
I look out the window and it is just as I had expected since it is a private air strip.There are no crowds, barely any staff .. The pilot emerges from the cockpit.
“Signore Alex, we will need to be docked for at least twenty minutes for fuel and supplies.”
I lean back in my chair taking off my seat belt “Thats fine John you all go ahead”
The rear service door is opened as the crew members including the pilot start to climb down.
I watch Lucy and Angelica return to their seats. Lucy leans towards the aisle watching their decent with interest “This is so cool”
I smirk, adding silently “Having your own plane has its perks.”
Angelics smirks “Must be nice.” She points at a spot on the parchment she is perusing .
“It gives us more time to study
I hear Gabreal shifting in his chair behind “Some of those markings look familiar “ He tells them softly.
Lucy immediately approaches him handing him a script “Here sir ,we can use all the help we can get”
He accepts pointing at something that I can't ant see
“This symbol right here refers to the guardianships.”
Angelica turns to him looking intrigued “For whom?”
Gabriel continues to study the parchment carefully
“Not for whom actually but for what.”
Lucy returns to her seat as her and Angelica exchange a look . I don't say a word as I lean back in my chair paying rapt attention.
So these ones might have the information about who is actually the guardian of la Rosa .If it does then everything will change when we get to Sicily.
Checking the staff's progress I see some crew members moving around under the planes wings.Fuel trucks approaching ,Food supply crates being stocked up
My staff are trained well, that's why I prefer travelling with them . They are working quickly and efficiently. I watch for a few minutes until my phone vibrates in my pocket
Fishing it out from my pocket I check the name:
“Padre”
My heart rate skips .
It is not a casual call and is probably not a conversation that can be carried out in public .
I slip out of my chair and head towards the cock pit to answer the call.
Padre: Signore Ferrini his voice is full of relief “ Dios ,You got out in one piece?”
I remember the dungeon break escape and I shudder . What if a guard had been stationed at the exit latch?I do not even want to think about it
Me: “Barely Padre.”
Padre: “Are you on your back to Sicily ?”
Me: “Yes we are in Malta as we speak”
He pauses for a moment
Padre: “Magnifico that puts you ahead of them”
Ahead of who I want to ask. But instead I ask the more pressing thing on my mind.
Me: “What is going on in La Geneva?”
He exhales.
Loudly
My heart stutters
I know without a doubt I won't like what he is going to say.
Padre: “You lot have put La Geneva in chaos.”
I knew I wouldn't like it
Me: “How so ?” I ask even though I know exactly what he is referring to.
Padre: “Like I told Luca they found the empty cell..”
Me: “Is Miranda back at the coven?” I ask
Padre: “She returned in the early hours of the morning blissfully unaware ..”
I smirk , I feel no regret for any thing we did .They deserved it, power hungry individuals.
Padre: “She has been telling them over and over that she has nothing to do with the dungeon escape.”
Me: “Do they believe she is telling the truth?”
Padre:“It appears so,for now”
I turn back to the open door watching the others sitting around casually.
Me:“I take it they still haven't actually pierced together what happened?"
“They haven't” Padre says quietly “I also think they are in denial.”
I bet they never in a million years thought they could be outsmarted.
But they were.
By us.
Padre: “We may have another problem” he says .I tense for a moment
Me: “What now?”
Padre: “He is on the move again.”
Me: Frowning, I ask “Who is on the move ? Don't tell me Thomas ?”
Padre:“The man refuses to give up.”
Me: “Bastardi” I mutter silently “I can see that”
Stubborn mule
Me: "What is he up to now?”
Padre: “He hasn't given up on recruiting”
I suck in a deep breath of course he hasn't .
Padre: “But this time it's different” Padre argues
Me: “How is it different?”
Padre: “He seems to be building an army instead”
My chest tightens with worry and I feel a sick dread in the pit of my stomach.
Me: “To do what this time?”
Padre is quiet for a moment . “I bugged his phone and intercepted a message he sent yesterday”
Me: “I am listening”
Padre: “He is aware that something happened at La Geneva.” Padre says quietly “He knows only a powerful witch can pull off such a feat and walk out alive.”
I look at Alessia who is laughing at something her father said.
Unaware of the conversation I am having with Padre!
Me: “But does he suspect? I ask tightly.
“Her.” I whisper silently
He gets it
Padre: “No he does not suspect her.” Padre replies “But he knows the magic was unique.”
I clench my jaw tightly ,Dios Mio does this ever end?
Padre: “When you emerged from the dungeon there seemed to have been a huge magic surge .The entire clearing turned black from the impact”
I sigh Alessia's glamour change!
Padre continues “It was so powerful that it may have left her magical imprint.”
Me: “Do you think he will be able to trace it?” I ask. My nerves are racing .
Padre says nothing for a moment and I want to wring his neck through the phone but I bite my cheeks instead until it draws blood waiting calmly.
Finally after what feels like an eternity
Padre: “If he is able to find a skilled magical tracer,he can but I am not certain he will be able to get that close without La Geneva catching sight of him”
Alex : I press on “And if it so happens that they are able to get to the spot ?” I need to be ready for any eventuality. That's what it means to be a leader that is two steps ahead.
Padre exhales “Then yes they will be able to pick up the imprint and start searching for the witch.”
Strazza ! I clench my fists tightly. This is a nightmare ..My eyes lock on Alessia again.
Padre: “She will do a locator spell and it should give a rough idea of the witche’s location”
I don't know how I am going to tell Alessia this and how she will handle it.Before I can say anything else Padre cuts into my thoughts.
His voice sounding almost like a warning.
Padre: “Alex if the tracker is able to not only grab her imprint and locate her location…”
Padre: “It will not matter how far you fly they will hunt her down”