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           They landed in the middle of the

night in Rome. The city was lit with the innumerable lights such places had,

and it looked like a sparkling tiara as they passed overhead. Once the plane came

to a halt on the tarmac, a limousine pulled up and the three of them got

inside.There was a light rain coming down,

beading up into little balls on the fresh wax and running together into little

rivulets off the side as the car pulled towards the streets of old Rome. "How long until we reach the

Vatican?"The man scratched his ear

nervously. "That depends on the traffic. So maybe forty minutes."Maggie noticed he wasn't in the

mood to talk, so she held Edward's hand and stared out the window. It was

difficult to see, even for a werewolf. The rain spattered against the windows,

diffusing the shimmering lights into little sparkles. Cars were coming and

going, often bypassing the greater bulk of the limo. Big might be better back

in the states, but here small was everything. So when you saw a limousine go

by, you knew it had to be someone important. 

 The trip across town seemed to take

longer than the time it had taken to cross the ocean. Eventually however, they

arrived at a gate, and once that was opened, into a corridor that passed into a

building. Inside was a spot that was dimly lit. If not for the headlights of the

car, it might have seemed not lit at all. A man in a black robe with red trim

came forward and opened the door. They spilled out into the gloom. The door was

closed and the limo drove off.The priest (if he was a priest)

escorted them to a door in the wall. He pulled out a key ring and stuck in one,

then another and then another key before the door swung open. He waved them

through, following behind them and repeating the process until the door was

secure. He then squeezed past them and led the way down a long stairway. The number of steps seemed to be

beyond count as the stair turned and wound its way down. There were bare bulbs

spaced just far enough apart to light the way. The steps themselves were stone,

worn hollow in the center from centuries of foot traffic. Who they were and why

they came down this way was open to conjecture. The only ones who knew weren't

about to pass the information on to any pagan or nonbeliever.Eventually the stair opened up into

a broad chamber. The light hanging from the ceiling illuminated several more

doors.  The robed man pulled out his keys

and went to the middle one. Once again the three keys came out and the door

opened.Inside was a dark hallway that led

to a lit room. It was the first time since entering here that anything the look

like people were still using it. It had chairs, a rug, a painting or two on the

wall, and yet another door. "Sit. Wait." The robed man turned and retraced his

steps. The three of them picked chairs and sat down. They could her the door

being looked above them.Maggie was restless, but did her

best to sit still. It just wasn't in her nature. Edward eased back in the

chair, wary but not nervous. The room was solid, and while they were locked in,

he was pretty sure he could remove any door that stood in his way.After a while, another man entered

from the one remaining door. He looked around and let his gaze rest on the

werewolf hunter.  "Cardinalis autem

videbo vos."He got up and followed the man

through the door. It was back to waiting. There was no clock, there was no

music, no magazines; nothing.  Edward

finally got up and walked around the room, both assessing it and viewing the

paintings. His observations showed that the room was solid. The paintings told

him nothing. If this room was supposed to be bland, it was. He returned to his

seat.It was a good hour before the door

opened again. "Cardinalis autem videbo vos.""I don't speak Latin.""Excuse me for my assumption. The

cardinal will see you now."Edward held Maggie's hand as they

walked into the next room. It was completely different from the previous

chamber. It was richly appointed, with old wooden walls, tapestries, carpets,

furniture, artwork and a fireplace. That last feature make him look again. The

chimney for it must be as tall a freight train was long!There was a man behind the desk. He

stood. "Sit, sit. It isn't often I have guests."His robes were simple. In the light

they were blood red, with a little black trim around the collar and the sleeves.

He had on a gold cross, and several gold rings. He was completely gray, and

lines creased his face from the passage of years. He could easily be in his

seventies, maybe even older.  His eyes

were piercing; a dark blue grey with bottomless pits for pupils. Edward pulled out a chair for

Maggie, who hopped up in it and sat with her hands in her lap. He hoped she

didn't start fiddling with herself. That would be embarrassing. He pulled up

another and sat down. The man's voice was even and calm."Welcome. Brother Bernard has given

me the details of his recent trials and tribulations. I would like to go over

them with you, to make sure I understand everything.""Brother Bernard? He said he

couldn't remember his name.""True, true. He has been with us

for many, many years. Over time all that matters is the duty. The person fades

in the light of the greater good. But the time has come for him to rest. He has

had a hard existence as of late, and it was time to give him his reward."The cardinal continued. "But I

digress. He told me you wished to come here on your own. That is highly

irregular. I do appreciate the gesture however. It is not often that the

sinners come to me."Maggie growled. "Sinners? Who the

hell are you calling a sinner?""Why you, young lady. Your

existence is an affront against God. And this man, he too is a sinner. I don't

hold you responsible for being what you are, but nonetheless, you are what you

are. Sinners" Edward wasn't nearly as impetuous

as the girl. He decided to hear this guy out. He leaned back in the chair and

steepled his fingers. The cardinal noticed and approved."You see, your elder knows how to

behave." Maggie stuck her tongue out."Maggie! Enough! We didn't come

here to play games." Edward's tone wasn't nearly as severe as he had hoped to

sound. The cardinal nodded. "This is true.

I don't wield the resources of the Vatican to follow a whim. You are here

because you have something I need."When neither of his guests

volunteered any information he continued. "Brother Bernard informed me that for

a few short minutes he was in possession of Da Vinci's box. Long has it been

since anyone here could make that claim. I would know where it was found, and where

it is now.""The box is in a river, hidden

amongst the rocks and flowing water.""Very poetic. Bernard already told

me the story. You mangled his automobile and flung it, him inside, and yourself

into this river. I am curious why you didn't kill him. He said that he expected

to meet the maker in that dreadful moment.""I thought he had killed my little

Maggie here. But in the end, she was still alive, and thus so is he. I came

here not to banter, but to make a statement.""Then by all means, make your

statement."Edward cleared his throat. "I think

that one group looking for one item over hundreds of years and who knows how

many deaths is foolish. Yes, I had the box, and yes we got it open. But there

was nothing inside."The cardinal stood, leaning against

the desk. "I doubt that very much. Unless the keepers of the box removed its

contents, it should still be inside. So either the ring is really lost, or you

are lying. For your sake I hope you are lying.""Ring?""Don't try playing me for a fool. I

think you know quite well the thing of which I speak. If you don't then the

advantage is mine. The box must be recovered. I will have six hundred followers

stripping the river until it is found, unless of course you already have it.""You're welcome to search our bags.

We packed light.""Do you think me a fool to believe

you would bring it with you?"Edward ignored the jibe that was

sitting on the end of his tongue. "Let's say for the moment that  I know something about the contents of the

box. What would it mean to you by having it?""It would mean the fulfillment of centuries

of tracking it down and working towards seeing it returned to Rome. The papal

bulla of Alexander the Sixth cannot be rescinded. As long as the document

stands intact, the bulla stands. So until the ring is returned, then this

brotherhood, this league if you will, must stand the test of time.""So then really, what do you have

against werewolves?""You are a pagan atrocity.""Ok, I'll go with that for the

moment. Until just this year, I've led a normal life. I thought that werewolves

were figments of someone's imagination. But it turns out I am one. So what am I supposed to do now? I can't go back to being

human. And if I turn into a werewolf, people die.""Hence why you are an abomination.

Rome achieved greatness through evil and debauchery. IT cannot happen again."Maggie cut in. "Shall we discuss

all the people this holy church has slaughtered over the decades in God's name?

The people who died during the Inquisition? And why? Because you sorry bastards

were hard up for cash. Or the native peoples in Africa and South America, not

to mention North America. The ones that were killed if they didn't convert to

your perverted way of thinking! The ones bound into slavery for your sadist

glee!""Maggie! Calm down!""Fuck off! I'm tired of old

assholes like this thinking they have the run of the world because their invisible

friend is bigger and badder than someone else's. I am not evil. And I won't sit

back and listen to someone tell me I am. People kill people all the time; for

money, because of hatred, because of jealousy. I do it for food. And I will not

listen to another word of this high and mighty prick. He can go fuck his God

for all I care!'The cardinal's fist slammed into

the table. The ancient wood cracked. "How dare you!""Fuck off asshole. You're just a

boy-molesting little freak of a man who can't live an honest life any more than

a politician can. You're a sorry little excuse for a cockless little mama's

boy!"Edward was secretly cheering her

on, but at the same time noticing that the man was producing a peculiar aroma. He

recognized the odor. He smelled it on himself when he got mad. This guy was a

werewolf! But that didn't make sense. Or did it?'He put his brain to it. If the

church had wanted the ring returned to keep it safe from all werewolves, then

what better place for a power hungry werewolf to be but in the place where the

ring would eventually return if it was found? Why search for it yourself when

you had minions at your disposal? So how old was this guy? It was a little late

to be trying to figure that out."Young lady, I'll have you know

that I'm a man of the cloth!"She stood up, her eyes flashing.

"And I'll have you know that I'm a girl of the flesh. When you strip everything

away, I am what I am. I don't hide behind some excuse or uniform. I don't

parade around with false morals. I am what I am, and I do what I do, and at the

end f the day, I get to live with that. But it's better than being a sorry

little poser like you."Hair was sprouting on his arms. In

his anger he was letting his form slip. Edward prepared to morph in case this

got ugly. There was no silver and no poison to aid him this time around. It was

going to be one on one. So he was hoping that this guy wasn't as big as he was when

he got mad.But the cardinal got his composure

back. He stood tall and smoothed down his robes. "I will not argue with the

likes of you!"She plopped back into her seat.

"Good. It was sort of like swatting a fly with a Buick anyway."His eyes lit up again. He was

seething inside. "Girl I'm warning you!""Ok I've been warned. But what of

you. Who's going to warn you?""OF WHAT?"She turned to Edward. "Can you get

this guy? I can't believe that out of a hundred thousand sperm, this one was

the winner!"The cardinal fumed and sputtered,

but maintained his form. Edward had to laugh. She was working this guy over in

a way he never expected. She was sassy, and he was used to fawning flunkies. "I'd call you a sadistic,

hippophilial necrophiliac..."She had him confused as she stopped

right there. Edward had no idea what she was pulling off either. Neither did

the cardinal. "What?""I said I'd call you a sadistic,

hippophilial necrophiliac, but that would be beating a dead horse." It was the laugh that Edward let

escape that did more to anger the man than her taunt. He lost control. His

clothes began to split. In a few seconds he was in full feral form. "You fools!

No one makes fun of me!"Maggie was still at it. "NO? I

guess you haven't looked in the mirror lately.""ENOUGH!"Maggie stopped, not cowed, just

curious what he would do. All along there had been an inkling that a werewolf

had been behind this. While Brother Bernard might not have transformed from a

bite, the fact was, he had expected it. So whether he knew his parentage or

someone had been lying to him, the fact was, he knew of, and was unafraid of

the kind. Maggie had come to that conclusion a while ago. Edward and Billy had agreed.

Now their hypothesis was turning into a full blown werewolf. The cardinal looked fierce, but he

neither frightened Maggie, nor Edward. Albert Fish had been scarier. But they were

in the den of the beast, and so were careful now how they presently tread upon

the waters. This was no time for a misstep.The cardinal launched himself over

his desk. Edward grabbed him with one hand. I'm sorry. I meant to say paw. And

while the cardinal struggled in the grip of that massive appendage, the rest of

Edward's body was following suit. His clothing burst at the seams, and in a

moment he massed twice what the other did.Maggie joined in, assuming her most

nasty looking transformation she could manage. The conversation became even

less than genteel than before. Edward glared at the cardinal. "I

think that after all this time, all you really wanted was this ring for

yourself. You didn't care about this papal bullshit. All you wanted was to get

the ring here so that you could claim it for yourself."The cardinal's eyes glittered

evilly, they really did. "Brother Bernard was right. You two are a lot of

trouble. Yet I think you are not as smart as you think you are. Yes, I want the

ring. I have wanted it for a very long time. Would you like to know why?"Edward dropped him on the ground.

Egos always had to explain their desires. "Go for it.""Do you know who I am?"Maggie growled. "Do we care?"He didn't get angry this time. "Perhaps

you shouldn't. You are after all mere infidels. I am Antonia Alessandro Medici!"Maggie scoffed. "So?"The Cardinal stood on his hind

legs, trying very hard to look royal and important. "I am the last in line of

the great Medici family!""Oh shut the fuck up. All Medici

means is physician. There were hundreds of people with the surname. And the

ones from Florence died out in regards to the direct male lineage a long time

ago. I know. I looked it up when I heard the ring started with them."The cardinal stared hard at her. "So

you admit to knowing more about the ring than you let on. You are right, but

only partially right. There were other lines to the family. There was no law

against me changing my last name. I am

from the line, little pest. And I will make it great once again!"Yes you will. Just as soon as you

die."His eyes began to glow. Edward

groaned. One thing Maggie could do was antagonize other people. Her tongue was

great for so many things, and most of them should be permanently banned.But instead of attacking, Antonio

worked very hard to revert to his human self. He did it only by the sheer will

of his resolve. It was obvious he was still very upset. Maggie had picked at

his ego and it was now inflamed and swollen. He was going to be easy to upset

from this point on.The problem was, now that they knew

who was behind this and why, they were stuck deep underground. And worse yet,

Cardinal Medici was reaching into his desk. But all he pulled out was a key. "You

think you can outwit me? If you are brave, follow me for a moment."Edward was noncommittal. "Like we

have a choice? We're locked deep underground. Lead the way. It'll change nothing."The now naked man opened a thick

oak door shot through with silver filigree. He was careful to use the iron ring

and plate, and not touch the other precious metal. The door creaked open.

Inside was a dark stair. There was a dim light from the bottom."Maggie looked down and shrunk

back. "How far down does this go?""To the very depths of hell itself

little one. It's where your kind will always end up."She gave him a swipe of her paw. The

cuts spouted blood and then healed over. He chuckled in a low, spine-chilling

way. "Yes, as you see, it is now werewolf versus werewolf. There will rarely be

a decisive winner in such a contest. So you might as well save your strength.

You will need it later."The walk down wasn't nearly as long

as the first leg of their descent. At the bottom was a body. Maggie ran to it. "It's

Bernard!"The cardinal grinned. "Yes. Like I

said, Brother Bernard was overdue for his reward. He found the box and for that

he deserved his rightful place in heaven.""You mean you didn't want him

telling anyone else about its location!" Her eyes glowed in anger. She hadn't like

the hunter, but she didn't hate him either. His death here made sparing his

life earlier a waste."There is that, little one. While I

have no doubt he would have remained silent, I couldn't take a chance on it. Patience

is a virtue, and because of it, I am now as close as any member of God's Right Hand

has been to claiming it. One must cover their tracks when one sets out to

obtain the impossible."They were now in a large chamber,

hewn from the solid rock and lined with brick. At least it looked like brick.

The cardinal grabbed an iron rod, some long forgotten torture device, and

scraped the wall. The sound was metallic, and where the iron was dragged along,

a gleaming gash appeared. "This place is lined in silver. The

Vatican hardly knows the value under their feet. Tons and tons of silver bars

line this chamber, except for the floor. My predecessors weren't entirely

cruel. Even a werewolf should have a space to pace and crawl and prowl. You

see, I could kill you, but what would be the fun in that? I would rather be

able to come down here and taunt you as you have taunted me. And when I have

the ring, I shall then kill you, one drop of silver at a time, watching as it

eats into your body faster than you can heal from it.""Go to hell, you sick psycho!""I think not."She went to lunge at him, but

Edward held her back. "Mags, look around the room, about twenty feet up."She glanced toward the roof. There,

evenly spaced openings held archers, each bearing a crossbow. It was old

fashioned, but very likely effective. Edward could just imagine that each arrow

was tipped with silver. It might be costly ammunition, but the spent arrows

were easily recoverable. Besides, who cared when the room was filled with millions

of dollars worth of the stuff?The cardinal opened a door. "Your

present quarters. Unless of course you think you can kill me, get the key,

dodge these archers and make it to the outside world unscathed?"He did seem to have the upper hand.

The two stepped towards the cell. Cardinal Medici stopped them just after they

entered. "And if you ever think of getting smart with me again, please know

that all I have to do is pull this lever, and thousands upon thousands of

silver coins will rain down from the ceiling. There is a chamber above your

head used for storing plunder from years of church exploits. Gold is more

valuable, but silver is more useful. So from now on, I'd suggest you behave.

Oh, and I'll have the chef prepare Bernard. He is hardly dressed properly to

serve guests at the moment, but I'm sure he can be made more appealing!" The door slammed with a resounding

boom.