Elia straightened up again, brows furrowed. What a presumptuous, frustrating man. And so casual with him! Unbelievable.

  “Here,” Dani said suddenly, pointing to a particular page in the book. The illustration showed a nude angel’s form with an owl’s head riding upon a black wolf. It wielded a great blade and its large, animal eyes seemed to stare at him through the page. “Grand Marquis of Hell, Andras. Testa di cazzo.”

  Elia gasped, covering his mouth with a hand briefly before smacking Dani’s shoulder. “Profanity inside the archives, Father!”

  “Now I know you’re not upset about me referring to a demon this way.” Dani shook his head, turning the book so Elia could look closer. “Look. He’s known for sowing discord and even killing his summoners outright. It would explain why he’s wreaking havoc in the city. He’s very subtle in his possessions, which is likely why he hasn’t been found. But we can keep an eye on the signs, explore the city. I’m sure he’d love the chance to get at two priests.”

  “Now who’s we here? I was going to look into this with His Excellency–”

  Dani took a hold of Elia’s chin, stopping him in his tracks. Elia’s eyes were large and owlish, not far off from one demonic Marquis.

  “Father Elia. Please, let me help you.”

  Elia could hear the rush of his blood in his ears, heart pounding so hard he was sure it would break his ribs. He’d spent long hours with the bishop, admiring how handsome he was even with his age, utterly smitten with how kind Nicola was to him. They had exchanged long glances and brief touches. The moment in the restricted section earlier was the most that had occurred between them. Certainly love for others wasn’t strictly forbidden, but between two men? Two clergymen? He wouldn’t dare speak of it aloud.

  But here was Father Dani, on his first day, being so much more bold, more direct. Here Elia was, already taken in by this new, strange man. It should terrify him how open Dani was, but the stirring in Elia’s chest said something else entirely.

  “I… We can explain to His Excellency together, then. Yes.”

  Dani had a warm gleam to his eyes, playful smirk spreading across his lips. Elia licked his own anxiously, swallowing hard enough it was audible.

  Finally, Father Dani released his chin, fingers trailing along Elia’s jaw. It finally registered how warm Dani’s touch was, all the more obvious when the tips of his fingers dipped just below Elia’s collar. Elia thought he might faint if this continued.

  Storming footsteps across the stone had Dani tearing his hand away, Elia gasping reflexively. He clutched the front of his vestments, willing his heart to calm itself.

  “Does it truly take so much time to find the name of one spirit?”

  Elia and Dani both glanced at the doorway, Nicola casting them glares. His gaze was particularly dark when it met Dani’s. Elia could swear there was a fire burning in Dani’s eyes, a brief flash of gold before it faded. Perhaps it was just a trick of the candlelight, flickering all around them. Elia rubbed his eyes, just to be sure, but Father Dani appeared the same.

  “Apologies, Your Excellency.” Dani’s voice was cool and even. The resentment he bore was clear even behind the formalities. “Though I wonder why you didn’t attempt to seek out the name of this demon sooner if it was going to take so little time?”

  Elia’s eyes went wide as dinner plates, fear plastered across his face. He glanced between Dani and the bishop, both staring each other down. He’d seen dogs in the streets who would look at each other this way before attempting to rip the other’s throat out.

  “It was unclear if it was a demon before, Father Daniele. I’m sure you understand, it takes time to diagnose these types of possessions, especially from a high-level demon.”

  Dani’s eyes narrowed briefly. “I’m sure. Well, Father Elia and I will be going out into the city to investigate.”

  Nicola waved his hand several times, as if shooing a fly. “Nonsense! Elia and I were meant to investigate together. Isn’t that right?”

  The two men looked at him. Now it seemed Elia was a piece of meat that the two dogs were fighting over. He hated this.

  “Ah, well, won’t you have to remain here in case there’s any more bodies found? You’re the authority for the day, after all. It would be a terrible thing if the lay people felt lost. Or worse, if one of the cardinals found out.” Elia chewed his lip, feebly attempting to look innocent. “I’m sure we can find time to discuss our findings later, Your Excellency.”

  Nicola’s face went flat. His cold eyes flicked up and down Elia’s body, settling on his face. “I see. So be it then, Father Elia.”

  The bishop left in as much a hurry as he arrived. Elia’s stomach twisted; he’d never seen Nicola look at him with so much disdain. He leaned on the lectern for support briefly before Dani linked their arms together. When Elia looked up their faces were close, close enough he could feel Dani’s breath across his cheeks, felt the heat radiating off of Dani’s skin and through his vestments. How was this man so warm?

  “Never mind him. Let’s find this Andras together, Elia.”

  Dani brushed some of Elia’s dark curls away from his eyes, genial smile on his face. Elia was light-headed from Dani’s radiance.

  “Y-Yes…” Elia righted himself again, smoothing out his vestments and stepping out of the archives. He brought his voice to a low whisper as they reentered the library. “These bodies have all come from the same neighborhood. Do you suppose we should start looking around there?”

  “Yes, that seems wise, mio caro. Lead the way.”

  They made good time heading into the lower district. The river glittered with the afternoon sun, fishing boats of various sizes slowly gliding across the water. Elia sighed, wishing he could have enjoyed the day rather than search for bloodthirsty spirits with owl heads. They wove through the alleys as they came to the most poverty-stricken part of the city. Many of the people were familiar with Elia now, being one of the few clergy who was willing to aid the poor of the area. It disappointed him how his brothers would rather service the rich, going against every word of the Lord; such was life.

  “I don’t quite understand why a demon would attack here,” Dani whispered. “Wouldn’t it be more likely some rich sorcerer would send one after his equally rich enemies?”

  Elia pursed his lip in thought. It was strange. “No, you’re right… I’ve heard of possessions and attacks in the bigger cities, but usually they’re on politicians and wealthy merchants. Sometimes higher ranking clergy like the cardinals… Never the poor. Odd.”

  Familiar faces stopped to greet Elia and introduce themselves to Dani. They took their time questioning everybody they could, perturbed to find no rhyme or reason to the possessions. There was no pattern to follow to help them predict who would be next, no area to keep watch for outside of the whole district. Elia pinched the bridge of his nose as they came into another narrow alley. He paused to lean back on the wall, gently slamming a fist against the stucco.

  “Damn this Andras. I don’t know what to do except wander for all the night.”

  A searing hand lifted Elia’s chin. The fading afternoon light cast Dani in a blazing glow. The gold cross around his neck flashed even in the shade of the alley. Here in the dark, far from prying eyes, Elia felt calm. He met Dani’s eyes, peered into the deep brown depths, rich like the coffee drink from the Mid East. Warm and inviting all the same, like all of Dani was.

  “Don’t fret, mio caro. I’m sure we’ll find a lead soon.”

  The tips of Dani’s fingers still burned into Elia’s skin, still touching him. Elia lifted a shaking hand, slowly clasping around Dani’s.

  “I’m sure we’ll manage together, Dani…”

  The air was sucked out of his lungs, Elia had no idea what came over him. Despite the danger lurking, Elia just wanted to be close to Dani. His presence was magnetic, drawing him in. He strained his eyes to count all the freckles across Dani’s beautiful terracotta-colored skin. They were like the heavens above, endless and mesmerizing.

  Equally Elia was being scrutinized, dark eyes roaming all over, following every line of his curly hair, along his jaw, settling on his mouth. His heart skipped when he realized.

  Dani’s lips were warm like the rest of him, rougher than Elia had expected, but a pleasure all the same. The kiss was soft, tender, but it wasn’t chaste; Dani leaned into him, bodies pressed together. Elia shivered at the contrast of temperatures; warm body at his front, cold wall behind him. He needed more of Dani’s warmth, wanted to be wrapped up in it forever. It wasn’t a painful heat, more like a fair spring day.

  They held each other as Dani kissed him again, hand slowly moving up Elia’s back to grip at his hair. His heart beat faster and faster, the tips of his fingers prickled as his body warmed. A soft gasp of breath puffed out from between Elia’s lips as Dani’s tongue glided across the lower one. Dani took the opportunity, licking into Elia’s mouth. The kisses grew in fervor, desperation. Elia was in the clouds, desperately gulping down air between beats. Elia let Dani overtake him; he wanted to be consumed.

  His wrists were pinned to the wall, Dani asserting himself; Elia was happy to submit. He tilted his head back when finally Dani pried their mouths apart, laving his tongue just under Elia’s jawline. He moved to pin both of Elia’s wrists with one hand, using the other to pull down the collar of Elia’s vestments. Dani sucked hard on the skin, nipping at it over and over. Elia winced from the pain, hissing between his teeth, but he dared not tell Dani to stop.

  Elia’s cock throbbed, tenting his clothes. Dani’s thigh pressed between his legs, rubbing against his aching member. The bulge against his hip made him dizzy; Elia had only himself for reference, but Dani was much larger. He made feeble attempts to push down the desire to see it, to touch it. His mouth went dry picturing it, and just in time as Dani was kissing him again. Elia’s lips were puffing up from how hard they kissed, from how long it had been. His arms were beginning to go numb from being pinned up and he wanted more of Dani. He needed more. Perhaps they could give up for the day, go back to the rectory to find a corner. It was sin, what he wanted Dani to do to him, but it would be blissful all the same.

  A woman’s scream broke their focus. Elia shoved Dani back and his eyes went wide, both looking in the direction of the sound. Elia recognized it.

  He took off running, dashing through the street, not a care for if Dani followed him. The house was tucked back into a corner, faint candlelight coming out of the dusty window. Elia came up to the door and pounded on it with a fist. “Mama? I heard you scream, please come out!”

  The silence had ice forming in his veins. His mother would always answer the door, if only so she had a chance to scream and call him terrible things. She was sometimes slow in her wine-drunk stupors, but never failed to answer.

  Elia lifted his fist but couldn’t find the will to slam it against the wood, letting it fall to his side. He could hear Dani calling out for him back on the street, but he couldn’t dare face the other priest like this.

  His hand hesitated above the knob, a brief moment to wonder if it would be this easy. The metal was cold to the touch, but the heavy wooden door swung open without a fight. Elia was quiet as he stepped inside. The front room had a rotted sofa stained with wine, a cold, ash-filled fireplace, and a small kitchen in the back corner. The candlelight he’d spotted came from said kitchen, a single one set on a chipped wooden table. The only other light came from the moon through the back window, full and nearly at its zenith.

  Elia peered into the dark to his right, searching for the bedroom door. It was open just a fraction, but pitch black inside. His heart thumped in his chest, the rushing sound of his blood flooding his ears, a high-pitched whine ringing that made his head ache. She couldn’t be dead. His mother couldn’t be dead.

  As terrible and unforgivable as she was, he didn’t want her to be dead.

  Elia creeped up to the door, cringing as a board creaked underfoot. He’d heard quieter groans from the ships in the harbor!

  He jumped out of his skin as the door swung open. He blinked, realizing that the figure that had stormed through was the bishop. Elia heaved a sigh in relief, leaning forward to clutch his shaking knees. He made the sign of the cross before righting himself, meeting Nicola’s gaze. His eyes were glassy and black, staring him down.

  “Your Excellency, thank goodness it’s just you. Is my mother here? I swear I heard her scream. Were you tending to her?”

  “Worry not, Elia. She has been taken care of.”

  His shoulders relaxed further, flashing the bishop a warm smile. “Thank you, Your Excellency. But… why are you here?”

  Elia stared back into the bishop’s eyes, round and glistening. There was a nagging at the back of his mind, something that he couldn’t place.

  “I was in the area, searching for this Andras of course. I heard your mother scream, and so I came to her aid. I didn’t realize she was your mother.”

  Nicola took a step forward; unconsciously, Elia took one back.

  “I see… Y-Your Excellency… I don’t recall naming the demon we were searching for.”

  The whites of Nicola’s eyes were shrinking, filling in with black like ink in water, sockets larger than any mortal man’s. Elia swallowed audibly.

  “And I don’t recall you being an adulterous whore, Elia.” In a blink the bishop was gripping the collar of his vestments, tight enough his air was nearly constricted. “I can smell him on you. I can smell your arousal.”

  The bishop pressed his nose to Elia’s neck, sniffing loud in his ear. The bishop moaned, hand trailing down Elia’s chest. Elia’s body shook violently, wracked by fear. He lifted an unsteady hand, holding up his thumb and first two fingers. “C-Crux sacra sit-”

  Nicola’s hand wrapped around Elia’s throat, squeezing tight. Nicola lifted him off his feet, and Elia clawed at his hand, feet kicking at the air. The bishop’s grip went tighter. Elia gasped fruitlessly, eyes rolling back without air. His body went limp, and darkness greeted him.

  ***

  Elia was freezing. His limbs were numb, muscles stinging with pinpricks as he tried to move his hands. His neck was stiff and, contrasting the rest of him, absolutely on fire. He lifted his head, eyes struggling to open. The first thing he noticed was that he had been stripped bare, skin exposed to the chilly underground air. He was surprised to find he recognized where he was, dozens of carved stone tombs lined the high walls, cobwebs shrouding the faces of the dead. The catacombs, then.

  Elia was chained to the wall, hanging off the ground with his arms stretched apart. In the center of the room lay a sarcophagus carved from marble, one of much more importance. It was flat, but had intricate engravings. He stared down into the face of San Michele, recalling Dani’s bitter reaction towards him.

  San Michele was certainly not in this place.

  Elia thanked the Lord that there was no sign of the bishop, nor was there any sign of an owl-headed demon. He cursed Nicola under his breath. Damn him. Damn him! Did he truly betray his vows to the Lord all because Elia dared glance at another? He stared up at the chiseled ceiling and begged God, hoped beyond hope that He would send Dani, or that Dani might find help. Anything.

  While he didn’t fear his afterlife, he was certainly not yet ready to die, nor was he interested in dying by whatever torture Nicola and Andras had in store for him. He felt that was reasonable.

  “I suppose you should be thanking the good Lord that you’re awake at all.”

  Elia rolled his head over to Nicola, standing at the base of the steps into the catacombs. He could barely croak out the question, “Why?”

  Nicola’s eyes were still large and black, circular orbs that glistened in the low candlelight. “Why do this to you? Because you are a traitorous whore, as I said. Running off with that young halfwit who’s only just arrived. It is I who has taught you everything you know, who has courted you. How easily you are swayed!”

  Elia swallowed, throat burning as he tried to speak again. “You were my teacher, Your Excellency. You are a bishop. Why a demon?”

  Nicola stepped up close to him, knife in his hand. It looked old, rusted, and dull; a cruel instrument meant for pain more than precision. He pressed the tip to Elia’s belly, just above his navel. “The poorest of this city turn away from God the most. They needed to be taught a lesson, to fear the Lord again. Never do I see their faces for mass, not even holidays! Andras is simply a tool. I will bring him into this world to dole out his punishment, and then I will remove him in time.”

  “And my mother?” Elia stared down into Nicola’s owl eyes, finding only coals of demonic rage. Whatever humanity Nicola had had disappeared the moment he let Andras infect him.

  “She was a drunk and profligate who was a scourge on all she encountered! That she was related to you only made it sweeter. But don’t act as though you miss her; I’ve been there for all your crying, Elia.”

  Rushed steps echoed from the opening into the chamber, drawing the bishop’s attention away. Nicola’s grip relaxed a fraction, knife point dropping from Elia’s stomach. Elia thought he might burst into tears when Dani rushed into the room, nearly crashing into the wall.

  “Get away from him!”

  Dani’s eyes glowed gold; there was no mistaking it this time. The dim light of the candelabras around the room couldn’t compare.

  The knife was pressed back into his stomach, hard enough to draw blood, but not enough to pierce into his gut. Elia grimaced, teeth grit as the wound flamed in pain. Dani froze, staring down Nicola with all the rage of heaven in his eyes.

  “If you approach me further, this whore dies. Understand?”

  Dani lifted both hands to keep the peace. “Nicola. Andras doesn’t control you. We can remove him together.”

  Nicola scoffed. “I let him in, rovinafamiglie! You can’t stop this. I will offer this simpering excuse for a priest to Andras, and then the people of this city will remember to fear God.”