Coventina Read online

  “Yes. Officers rode on horseback. On the march we would average twenty-five miles per day, sometimes more,” Marcus said.

  “Fascinating,” Anna said.

  “It must have been a hard life. What did you do for entertainment?” Lucilla asked.

  “I am not sure we should discuss that topic in present company,” Venutius said.

  “We cooked,” Petilius laughed.

  “Yes, and we gambled,” Venutius laughed.

  “And we whored,” Marcus said. “We cannot change who we are, who we were. Men have needs and for a marching army, there will always be women willing to satisfy those needs. However we never treated them as the women were treated that we freed. Those who did that to them deserved their fate.”

  “May I see the bracelet?” Quintus asked.

  “Of course,” Anna said, handing it to him.

  Quintus examined the blue bracelet, made brighter by the sunlight pouring in the window. “She is a water goddess who travels with whales and dolphins,” he said. Anna turned to look at him. “She has the ability to clean your mind, body and spirit. She is a loving goddess that will always answer your prayer.”

  “That is very beautiful,” Anna smiled.

  “Her words that I could never forget. It’s not every day you get to meet or fall in love with a goddess,” he smiled.

  “Then we must find her while she can still strive to remain a goddess,” Diana said. “Obviously, she is being treated like one compared to the treatment we received, but her future is one of horror regardless if we do not find her.”

  I wonder how Denise and Layla are doing? Lucilla thought.

  30

  Bologna

  After Lucilla checked in to the Excelsior Hotel, Denise asked her to accompany them to their room so they could speak in private.

  “Here, Anna thought you should hold onto this,” Lucilla said, handing Denise the Coventina bracelet. “It helps her FEEL her, but not in the present. Perhaps you will have better luck with it.”

  “It’s beautiful,” Denise said.

  “It was a gift from Anna to her. Now, obviously something is quite important, that’s why we are here, alone?”

  Just as she placed the bracelet on the bed next to her purse, Denise saw a vision of Coventina dressed in white, getting into the back of a white Mercedes.

  Layla knew that look all too well. You’ve seen her haven’t you?

  Yes. She may be moving again, or it may be the past. It may also be what is to happen, as you well know.

  We’d better get moving.

  “Yes, I brought you here because we have a very good idea where the person is who she was sold to,” Denise said.

  “And you do not want me to let Quintus or the others know yes?”

  “Yes. Although I do not object to their method of punishment, or justice, or custom, it is important we be given some distance on this. I don’t want to keep leaving a high body count where we have been. Eventually someone will piece it together and I want to avoid that at all costs. I am sure you can imagine the problems we will have if any of them winds up in the hands of the authorities.”

  “It has crossed my mind Denise.”

  “It’s a beautiful city, keep them occupied. Drag them out to explore it. Do anything but dwell on all the madness that has brought us this far.”

  “It really is a beautiful city,” Layla smiled.

  “You have not even brought your things up to your room yet,” Lucilla said.

  “No, not yet.”

  “Quintus will want to know what is going on.”

  “Tell him we are running down some leads and will keep him informed.”

  “He doesn’t need to know more for now,” Layla said.

  “We’re going to slip out. I will keep you informed,” Denise said.

  Lucilla left them in the hall and returned to her room.

  Before getting on the elevator, Denise and Layla activated their medallions to stealth, dashing out of the elevator when the door opened to avoid bumping into anyone. On the way through the lobby they saw Petilius and Venutius speaking to the concierge.

  I wonder what that is about?” Denise said.

  They all look pretty friendly. Maybe one of them wants a date. Layla said.

  Another woman came out of the office and joined them laughing. A date, good guess.

  They slipped through the front door unnoticed and walked to the Mustang parked around the corner. “Apparently he owns the entire block, perhaps even more,” Denise said as Layla followed her directions. “Turn right at the next corner.”

  They made their way towards the heart of the city. “It’s like all one huge ongoing arcade,” Denise said.

  “I bet it’s kinda creepy at night. Too many places for some scumbag to hide,” Layla laughed.

  “I bet it’s good for the prostitution business though.”

  “Oh yeah.”

  Layla parked around the corner from where they were going, leaving the Mustang looking like a white VW Beetle. Before exiting the vehicle, they activated their medallions so they appeared to be an Italian couple.

  “You’re really handsome,” Layla said.

  “Come on baby, let’s go try to buy an expensive woman.”

  There was a man in uniform outside the main entrance to the building. “This is a private residence. Can I help you?” the man asked.

  “Signor Mela,” Denise said.

  “See the attendant at the desk please,” the man said, holding the door open for them.

  A man with a woman sitting quietly in the chair next to him looked up from the computer screen in front of them after obviously having just had a good laugh at something. “Can I help you?” he asked.

  “Signor Mela,” Denise said.

  “Signor Melacci is not here right now.”

  “Well, that is disturbing. We had an appointment to meet him about a new acquisition,” Layla said.

  “And you are?”

  “Il signor e la signora Quilina,” Denise said. “When do you expect him back?”

  “I don’t.”

  Where is the tall blonde woman he purchased? Denise whispered.

  “May we have a look at his latest, tall, blonde acquisition?” Layla cooed.

  “Not without his being here, and besides, you are too late it seems?”

  “Too late?” Denise asked.

  “They both left little over an hour ago.”

  “Can you get in touch with him, let him know we made it to the appointment, and to wait until he speaks to us before he makes any deal with someone else?”

  “I told you, you are too late. He is on his way to deliver his package.”

  Control yourself sweetie, Denise said.

  If you insist.

  “Where did he take her?”

  “You sure ask a lot of questions. I told you, you are too late, now leave.”

  Where has he taken her? Denise asked.

  “Where has he taken her?” Layla asked.

  “Venice. He has taken her to the heart of Venice.”

  “Is there a name for the buyer?” Layla said.

  “If I knew I would not tell you.”

  “Please let him know we were here and to contact us if he has any questions,” Denise said.

  They turned and walked towards the door to leave the building.

  Can I at least give this asshole a headache? Layla asked.

  “Why not?” Denise said as they got to the door.

  The doorman heard his scream as they opened the door and left. “She must have squeezed it too hard,” Denise laughed as the doorman looked inside to see what the scream was for.

  “I see what you mean,” the doorman laughed.

  “Come on sweetie,” Layla said as they rounded the corner and switched back to their normal appearance. “We’ve got to get to Venice fast.”

  “I’ll call Lucilla,” Denise said, the Mustang that still looked like a Beetle disappearing from the street as it rounded the nex
t corner.

  31

  Venezia

  Denise held the Coventina bracelet in her hand, being bathed in sunlight as the Mustang sped towards Venice. Coventina. I am Denise. Anna is okay, we rescued her. She thought.

  “How shall we move about in Venice darling,” Layla asked.

  “Let’s evaluate it in stealth from above when we get there,” Denise said.

  Coventina. I am with Anna. She is safe. Denise continued to repeat the message like a mantra.

  “Well, thar she is, Venice,” Layla said, as the Mustang flew over the Venetian Lagoon towards the city.

  “Amazing. No roads. An incredible undertaking,” Denise said as they now moved slowly over the city. Why don’t you put us down, oh, right there and remain in stealth.”

  “Yes commander,” Layla giggled.

  “This is so frustrating. I have no idea how to reach her,” Denise sighed.

  The Mustang touched down on a small courtyard cobblestone surface.

  “We must come back here someday, when we are not chasing someone,” Layla said.

  “Yes. A romantic getaway would be nice.”

  Coventina. I am holding your bracelet. Anna is safe. Coven.

  Am I going insane or is it the drugs? The voice was clearly that of a female that whispered in Denise’s mind.

  Coventina. No, you are not going insane. I am Denise. Do you know where you are?

  Nothing.

  “I know that look too. You’ve reached her?”

  “I think so. I can’t be certain, but I,” Denise started to say.

  I am sitting on a plane.

  Where Coventina. Do you know where? Did you see where they took you?

  “Get us in the air Supergirl,” Denise said.

  The Mustang rose straight up to a height above the tallest rooftops.

  Small white jet.

  Where. Do you know where you are?

  Aeroporto civile, aeroporti vicentini, aero club.

  “Honey do a search for Aeroporto civile, aeroporti vicentini, aero club, fast. She’s sitting on a plane.”

  Layla pulled up Google Maps on her iPad. “Vicenza. It must be the Vicenza Airport,” she said, showing it to Denise. “There is nothing else in the area.”

  “Get us there quick.”

  Coventina. Do you know where they are taking you?

  “How long before we get there?” Denise asked.

  “A few minutes,” Layla said. Their friends from the Tyrine had designed the navigation system in the Mustang so that coordinates could be entered direct from an iPad or iPhone using Google Maps.

  Coventina. Have you any idea where they are taking you?

  No, but we are heading east, of that I am certain. They are coming, again.

  Are you hurt?

  Not hurt, but in much pain.

  Coventina. Try to stay focused on me no matter what happens.

  Nothing more.

  “There it is,” Layla said.

  They could see nothing in the air that might have just taken off.

  “Get us on the ground Supergirl. I have some questions I’d like answered.

  32

  A Few Questions

  “It’s too late for Coventina, she’s in the air heading east but I have a few questions for the occupants of THAT Mercedes,” Denise said.

  “Shall I touch down here?”

  “No. Get outside the gate and come right back in, and don’t take any shit from the guard at the gate.”

  “You got it.”

  “We need to change our appearance now, females are fine.”

  They activated their medallions, Layla becoming a tall redhead, and Denise a shorter brunette.

  The Mustang touched down just outside the entrance to the airfield and blasted through the gate, Layla leaving the guard unconscious behind them.

  “That hangar door is opening. They are getting ready to leave,” Denise said.

  The open door revealed nine men and two women who had to practically be carried. The white Mercedes pulled into the hangar and parked.

  “They are going to load those women into the car,” Layla said. She changed the Mustang to be a replica of the white Mercedes they had moved into the hangar.

  “Fuck stealth, pull right up to the open hangar entrance,” Denise said.

  The men who were not busy loading the women into the Mercedes looked at them wondering what was going on. A few of them removed handguns from pockets and holsters and trained them on Denise and Layla.

  “All I ask is that you keep them alive,” Denise said.

  WHO IS MELACCI? POINT TO HIM NOW, Denise screamed in their minds.

  All whose hands were not busy getting the women into the car pointed to a tall slender man with grey hair.

  Layla erected a force field between them and the men.

  Put those weapons away and sit on the floor, Denise said.

  Those who had guns in their hands put them away and they all sat on the floor.

  Now count backwards from 100 out loud.

  They all started counting backwards.

  Not you Signore Melacci. Where are they taking the woman you just sold?

  “Madrid.”

  You made a huge profit selling her did you not?

  “Yes. She is a beautiful creature. I was paid well.”

  You two, Denise said, load those two women into the back of the other Mercedes.

  Two of the men followed her instructions.

  What is the name of the person you sold her to?

  “Ines.”

  What is her full name?

  “Ines Pena I believe. Yes, I am fairly certain her full name is Ines Pena, but no one knows for sure.”

  We’ve got company, Layla said.

  Denise turned to see a black car speeding across the airfield towards the hangar. Before the car stopped two of the men inside opened fire with automatic weapons. The bullets ricocheted harmlessly off the force field Layla had put in place. The car came to a screeching halt just outside the hangar. Four men exited the vehicle hunkering down behind it to provide cover if fired at.

  Do you know where in Madrid Ines can be found?

  “No.”

  DO ANY OF YOU KNOW WHERE INES PENA CAN BE FOUND IN MADRID?

  “I know it is a large and rich building in the heart of the city,” one of the men said.

  “I think it is red,” another spoke.

  A few more rounds careened off the force field that now surrounded the Mustang as well.

  The men behind the black car started shouting to those in the hangar. Most seemed to be coming out of the trance Denise held over them as they walked back to the Mustang.

  “You fools. Get up off your ass’s and stop those two bitches,” one of the men screamed.

  A few bullets from inside the hangar as well as from behind the black vehicle flew around the hangar after bouncing off the force field.

  Layla sent four men flying across the hangar as they tried to stand up and fire.

  Directly behind the men outside the hangar, five legionnaires appeared and advanced towards them, each carrying a large shield. The men turned to fire their automatic weapons at Quintus and his men, the bullets bouncing off the shields they carried.

  “Damn they made good shields back then,” Layla said, waiting until Denise was safely in the car before getting in, starting it up and speeding out of the hanger, coming to a stop behind the black car to find the four men already dead or dying.

  “Quintus. I have the information I need,” Denise shouted. “Get out of here before the authorities arrive.”

  “What about them?” Quintus asked, referring to those in the hangar.

  “I’ll take care of them,” Layla said.

  She slipped out of the car and brought the hangar down on top of those inside with a loud, crushing crash.

  Quintus and the others looked at her in awe.

  “Where is Lucilla?” Denise asked.

  “On the ship with everyone else,” Qu
intus replied.

  “We have two women in the back seat who need medical attention,” Denise said.

  Before he could speak, they were bathed in bright light and carried up into the craft that had brought them to the airfield.

  Once inside they carried the two women to a part of the ship Denise and Layla had not been to for medical attention.

  Lucilla walked towards them. “Are you okay? Are any of you injured?”

  “No. We’re fine,” Denise said.

  “Not a scratch on any of you,” Layla said to Marcus. “Those are some shields you made back then when bullets bounce off harmlessly.”

  “They were modified by our hosts,” Marcus smiled.

  “Sweet,” Layla laughed.

  “Where to now?” Lucilla asked.

  “Madrid. First order of business will be a hotel before we head out again.”

  “Do you know who you’re looking for?”

  “I hope so.” Denise grinned.

  33

  Polizia

  “Swords, again, or machetes,” Inspector Santini said. “Vigilantes?”

  Luigi Geraci looked down at the bloody mess. “What about those in the rubble?” he asked.

  “One of them is conscious, but he is out of it, terrified.”

  “Come on,” Luigi said.

  The two men walked towards the twisted hangar where rescue teams were carefully going through the rubble.

  “It is not safe to go further inside until heavy equipment arrives to move some of this mess,” one of the firemen said.

  “Is that a car under all of that?” Luigi asked.

  “Yes. A Mercedes.”

  “Has anyone been able to get a plate number yet?”

  “Yes. We ran it, and it is one of many plates belonging to Signore Melacci from Bologna.”

  “The investment banker?” Luigi said.

  “More like sex trafficker,” Santini huffed. “This is another sex slave trade mess, with the same pattern of carnage that took place around Rome a few days ago. Those four that were butchered were part of the sex trade.”

  The conscious man pulled out of the rubble was being wheeled to an ambulance when Luigi ordered it stopped for a moment. “I have a few questions,” he said.