Countess Bianca de Rossi sucked on a cigarette and wondered how bleak things had to be if living your worst nightmare no longer fazed you. When Bianca looked back on her life, it had been nothing more than one nightmare after another. Being born to a branch family of House Neri meant being nothing more than a pawn to the main bloodline. For the briefest moment she had thought her fortunes had changed when she had been chosen to be a lion’s bride. The wife of a high lord. The next countess Rossi. That had shut her sisters and cousins right up.

  Her victory had been short lived.

  Her new husband Santiago had proved himself a brute and a weakling who never had the strength to face a hard truth or do the right thing. Not even war could make a man out of him and instead of a hero he had returned a eunuch thanks to a sniper’s bullet. Santiago’s younger brother Enrico had been even worse, and his wife Cordelia had been his partner in crime. The world was a better place with both dead.

  Her only solace had been Cassio. The son she never had.

  When Enrico and Cordelia had died, she should have been more of a mother to him but one failure after another had turned her into a coward like her husband. She had feared that sad, solemn boy and she had only dared to love him from a distance. If she had been… braver… a better mother… would Cassio… still be… alive?

  “Countess? Bianca?”

  Bianca put out her cigarette when a familiar man approached her. Gonzalo the Spider was the shadow House Neri cast, and his mere presence made House Neri’s power felt. When she had been a child, she had called him uncle Gonzo, and he had always brought her gifts when he had visited her family’s manse. It had been him who had told her about her engagement to Santiago and back then she did not understand why he had looked so sad when she had been so overjoyed. She understood now.

  Gonzalo had not aged a day since she was a child.

  A man not day past thirty with broad shoulders and a muscular body. He wasn’t handsome but not quite bland either with beautiful golden-brown hair that reached his shoulders, and a chin beard shaped like an arrowhead. As usual his eyes were hidden behind darkened glasses, and he wore a black suit with a red swan sewn over his heart.

  “Gonzalo.” Bianca said.

  For a moment she thought Gonzalo would hug her but then he kissed her hand instead. Uncle Gonzo would have hugged her but Gonzalo the Spider was a consigliere, and consiglieres did not embrace high ladies even if they were the first among servants.

  “How you’ve grown. You’re no longer that girl I knew.” Gonzalo said and bowed his head: “I am so sorry.”

  “House Neri sent their condolences a year ago.” Bianca said.

  “I know.” Gonzalo said.

  They walked together through House Neri’s townhouse in Leoden and Gonzalo kept a respectful distance from her. Outside soldiers marked with the lion of House Rossi guarded the townhouse… and with them were the tigers of House Zeno. The air around the townhouse was uneasy and Bianca worried the smallest spark could turn things explosive. For centuries the tigers had bowed down to the lions but that was about to change. The lions were terrified of losing their power and the tigers were looking forward to paying back for every indignity they had suffered as a vassal house.

  “Thank you for being the arbiter.” Bianca said.

  “You have learned to lie, my lady.” Gonzalo said and lit a cigarette: “I know you didn’t want House Neri here and I don’t blame you. Not after marrying Santiago. I am here as… someone who saw you grow up and wishes to see you safe.”

  Gonzalo blew out a cloud of smoke and looked outside: “Santiago is a weakling with no heir. Don’t think the other houses haven’t noticed. The sooner lord Zeno is in charge, the safer you are.”

  Bianca flicked her cigarette away: “Then let’s get this over with.”

  Gonzalo led her to the townhouse’s grand hall where the walls were lined with the banners of House Neri, Rossi, and Zeno. The swan, the lion, and the tiger. Around a round table mumbling to himself sat count Santiago de Rossi. Red-faced and already drunk. His red hair and beard were rapidly turning grey, and his green eyes were bloodshot. He had been a powerful man once but not even his great height and splendid garb could hide how fat and out of shape he had become. There was the faint stench of urine hidden under perfume and to her disgust Bianca realized Santiago had soiled himself.

  A man sitting few chairs away from Santiago couldn’t have been more different.

  Whenever Bianca looked at viscount Stefan de Zeno, she saw the man Santiago should have been. Santiago and Stefan were cousins but could have been brothers. Unlike his liege lord, Stefan had not gone to seed with age. He was still fit, and his hair and beard were golden red with only hints of silver. No matter the time or place he always looked resolute and confident. He wore a tiger-striped greatcoat over his black suit, and the only sign of discomfort was the way he played with his House’s signet ring.

  Stefan’s son and heir on the other hand did not give much cause to confidence.

  Garland de Zeno was a boy in the body of a man. Tall and fit with a mane of scarlet hair. At a glance he could have been Cassio’s younger brother, but Cassio had never been able to stand Garland and Bianca did not blame him. Garland wore his arrogance like a cheap suit and Bianca trembled at the thought of him ever wielding real power. Stefan stood up when Bianca entered, and Garland did too. Eventually but only after his father glared at him. Santiago tried to push himself up, but he was too drunk to even stand and fell back into his chair.

  “Count Rossi.” Gonzalo said coolly and offered only the slightest nod to the drunk lion.

  “Bianca. Gonzalo.” Stefan said.

  “Lord Zeno.” Gonzalo said and bowed his head much deeper than he had with Santiago.

  “Count Rossi seems to have pissed himself.” Garland said.

  “Shut the fuck up, Garland.” Bianca said and sat as far as she could from her husband.

  Garland was about to say something he would regret but a single look from Stefan silenced him. Gonzalo nodded at Stefan as thanks and sat down before pulling out the legal documents.

  “Lords, lady. You all know why we’re here. The Lionheart is… gone. The main branch of House Rossi is… done for but blood of Leon the Red still flows in House Zeno. Viscount Stefan de Zeno has a son, and he has proven himself a capable ruler. I hope his son will grow to be the same.” Gonzalo said and looked at the legal documents: “Our king has decreed that the title of count will pass on to Stefan de Zeno. The other great houses have accepted this.”

  Gonzalo turned to look at Santiago.

  “Count Rossi, will you name viscount Stefan your heir and bestow upon him the duties of your office? Immediately.” Gonzalo asked.

  Santiago just kept mumbling to himself, and Bianca realized he was repeating Cassio’s name. Their marriage had not been a happy one and there was no love lost between them, but she did pity him. She wasn’t the only one who had lost a son.

  “… Cas… sio… Cas… sio…” Santiago slurred to himself.

  Bianca shared a look with Stefan. Stefan would make a good lord. Maybe even better than Cassio would ever have been. In Stefan she saw the salvation of House Rossi… and in Garland its doom. Stefan saw it too. He was too wise not to, but he would go for it anyway. House Zeno had been a vassal house for centuries. This was their chance to stand in the sun. Like so many, Stefan was a slave to glory… even if it would doom his son. Garland was a fool. Too much of a fool to see that when the title of count was his, he would be eaten alive. Another war with Osetaria was fast approaching and it would ruin Garland like it had ruined Santiago and Enrico.

  “Cassio is dead, uncle.” Garland said.

  Stefan pinched the bridge of his nose: “Shut the fuck up, Garland.”

  “But dad…” Garland whined.

  “Garland. Listen to your father.” Gonzalo said.

  Stefan sighed and stood up: “Can we cut through the nonsense? Just this once? I am a soldier. I know you are too, Gonzalo. And Bianca? If you had been born a man, you would be buried a general. So, let’s just be honest. I loved Cassio. I wish he had been my son.”

  “What?” Garland said.

  “Garland.” Gonzalo said: “I believe your father and aunt told you to shut the fuck up.”

  “Thank you, Gonzalo. Now, have I dreamt of this moment? Yes. But I never wished for Cassio’s death. And you know what? Fuck it. I even liked that gypsy negro he kept as a pet. That boy had his uses and Cassio used him well. But I guess all my hopes and dreams are destined to turn into nightmares so here we are.” Stefan said.

  Gonzalo sighed heavily.

  “Viscount, Salvatore was my friend. Please don’t reduce him into a…” Gonzalo said and wiped away a tear: “You know what? For the sake of honesty… Sal was a drunk and fucked anything that stayed still long enough but he was decent in a way only a scarred idealist could.”

  “I think you both forgot that he was a sodomite.” Garland said petulantly.

  “Shut the fuck up, Garland.” Bianca said in unison with Gonzalo and Stefan.

  Stefan took a deep breath and looked at everyone present, but his eyes stopped on Santiago: “Cousin, it is over. I will take over for you.”

  “… Cassio…” Santiago whispered.

  Stefan pinched the bridge of his nose and looked at Gonzalo: “Gonzalo, is everything ready?”

  “All we need are signatures.” Gonzalo said sadly.

  “Good. Bianca… could you remove Santiago’s signet? He seems to be too drunk to do it himself.” Stefan said before signing the documents and pressing his own signet on them: “I know I am only named heir, but I will take over the duties immediately.”

  “Fair enough.” Bianca said while forcing the ring from Santiago’s swollen finger.

  “I have made sure a sizable pension has been set aside.” Gonzalo said: “You will need for nothing.”

  “A mansion to die in and servants to bury me. All I ever wanted.” Bianca said and forged Santiago’s name in the documents like she had done countless times before and pressed the signet on them.

  Before Gonzalo could declare the proceedings over and name Stefan as count, they were interrupted by commotion outside. Loud enough to reach the grand hall and… Bianca heard a voice she thought she never would again.

  “Out of my way! Any man who points a weapon at me, I will hang personally!”

  The voice was like a lion’s roar and could have left dents in steel. The voice of a battlefield commander. Garland had turned pale with fear whereas Gonzalo and Stefan looked ready for a fight, but Bianca just sat still in her chair, wondering if this was real. If that voice had been just another cruel trick.

  The doors to the grand hall were pushed open and a wild man burst in.

  He was dressed in rags that had suffered hard travelling and harsher weather. His face was covered by long, dirty hair and a terrifying beard… but you could see flashes of red amidst the filth. What little you could make out of his face was gaunt, dirty… and he only had one eye. The right socket was empty, and a badly healed scar ran over it.

  The wild man did not come alone.

  A smaller man who was dressed no better than him walked in behind him… with the aid of a peg leg. Greasy, black hair fell on his shoulders and a thick beard covered his lips. His eyes were diamond blue and cut even sharper amidst all the dirt.

  “… Cassio?” Bianca whispered.

  Some sobriety returned to Santiago, and he managed to push himself up: “… Cas… sio… my boy…”

  Cassio just glared at his uncle and then looked at everyone in the grand hall.

  “I am not even in the ground yet and already you are trying to rob me.” Cassio said and walked over to the documents. He glanced them over and them turned towards his companion: “Sal!”

  Sal’s pegleg tapped against the stone floor when he walked over to the documents and read through them quickly. When he passed her by, Sal smiled and nodded at her.

  “My lord, as your lawyer I recommend these papers be destroyed.” Sal said.

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  “Well said.” Cassio said, took the documents and tore them to shreds.

  “No! That’s mine!” Garland yelled.

  “Shut the fuck up, Garland.” Cassio said.

  “No! This is a hoax! You’re dead! You can’t just…!” Garland shouted.

  You could almost hear Cassio’s patience snapping in two. You could most definitely hear it when he slapped Garland across the mouth. It was like the crack of a whip. Garland fell over and began to cry.

  “Sal, the next time my cousin annoys me, remind me to break his nose.” Cassio said.

  “Yes, my lord.” Sal said.

  While Garland wept on the floor, Cassio started walking around the table like a lion stalking its prey.

  “I have no patience for thieves. I should have everyone here purged for this.” Cassio said before stopping in front of Santiago: “As for you. You have embarrassed and ashamed us for the last time.”

  Cassio took the signet ring and put it on.

  “You all came here to name a new count. Here I am. Sal. Gonzalo. Draft the paperwork. I am the new count Rossi. Starting immediately.” Cassio said.

  Sal bowed: “It will be done, my lord.”

  Bianca could no longer contain herself and jumped out of her chair. She walked over to Cassio and put her hand on his face to see his blind eye better.

  “Your eye…” Bianca said.

  It was rare to see Cassio hesitate, but he hesitated at that moment, and his voice grew ever so slightly softer.

  “I see more than I ever have.” Cassio said.

  Sal and Gonzalo worked fast and although they were rough drafts, their signatures would legitimize them and there was no one in the room who would dare to refuse Cassio. The lion who had returned from the grave. Santiago had fallen back on his chair and was reaching impotently to Cassio.

  “… Cas… sio…” Santiago whispered.

  “Well?” Cassio said to Sal.

  Sal read the documents one more time and paid special attention to the signatures and signets before nodding approvingly: “All good. My lord count.”

  “Charming.” Cassio said and finally gave Santiago his attention: “I know about Maximo. I know what you did. Guards!”

  Guards came running. Both lions and tigers. Cassio’s presence alone was enough to terrify them into obedience.

  “Remove my uncle.” Cassio ordered: “Since there is no real way to make him pay for his crimes, he will be moved to a country house. He can drink himself to death there. Alone.”

  Cassio watched as Santiago was dragged away and he was still repeating Cassio’s name. Stefan glanced at his weeping son and then fell back into his chair and rubbed his face.

  “You’re alive.” Stefan said.

  “I am.” Cassio agreed.

  “This was supposed to be my moment.” Stefan said quietly.

  Cassio looked at Stefan and there was a flash of tenderness to him.

  “You have done right by our House, uncle. I will see that you are rewarded properly, and your true value is acknowledged.” Cassio said and put his hand on Stefan’s shoulder: “I have a need for you. There is a school for wayward boys called St. Nicholas. Take your best men and if you find what I think you will, save the children and hang their tormentors. Sal will fill you in.”

  Stefan was silent for a moment and then bowed: “As you wish, my count. Come, Garland.”

  “But dad…” Garland moaned.

  “Shut the fuck up, Garland.” Stefan groaned.

  Once Stefan and Garland were gone, Cassio looked at Gonzalo: “Gonzalo, could I borrow the room? I need to have words with my aunt.”

  “How could I say no to count Rossi?” Gonzalo said.

  Sal and Gonzalo left the room and Bianca found herself alone with Cassio… the son she thought she had lost.

  “Your eye…” Bianca said.

  Cassio brushed the scar.

  “I had a run in with my brother.” Cassio said and took her hand: “Did you know I had a brother?”

  “A… brother?” Bianca said.

  “Enrico. My father. He raped an Osetarian woman during the war. The woman lived. So did the child. My brother.” Cassio said.

  “I… see.” Bianca said and tried to make sense of her world being turned upside down in the past few minutes: “Where… have you been?”

  “A far away from home. It has given me some perspective.” Cassio said.

  “I… hope you will tell me more.” Bianca said.

  Cassio nodded: “One day.”

  “What… will become of Santiago?” Bianca asked.

  “Like I said. There is no way for him to make up for his crimes so I will have him moved to a country house. He can die there. He will not rest in the family crypt when he does. I will have my father removed from there as well. Neither of them deserves a place there.”

  “It… will be done, lord count.” Bianca said before hugging him: “I… I thought I lost you. I am… so happy to have you back and… proud of the man you have become.”

  “Auntie, there is little of me to be proud of but that will change.” Cassio said.

  When they left the grand hall, they found Sal and Gonzalo chatting in the hallway. When they arrived, both men bowed.

  “Lady countess.” Sal said.

  “Count Lionheart.” Gonzalo said.

  Bianca kissed her hand and pressed it on Sal’s head: “I am pleased to see you too, head advisor.”

  Sal smiled and took a knee before Cassio: “My lord count.”

  Cassio regarded Sal for a moment and then laid his hand on Sal’s shoulder.

  “Salvatore Torrini, will you solemnly swear that you will serve me as the head of House Rossi? Will you be loyal in a treacherous world?”

  Sal bowed his head ever so much lower: “I solemnly do swear by the Wild to be your most stalwart ally.”

  “Then rise as the consigliere of House Rossi.” Cassio said.

  Bianca was not surprised by the decision… and if she was being honest… she did not hate Cassio’s choice as his number two. She doubted the other nobles would share her sentiment.

  “The other Houses will not like this.” Bianca said.

  “The other Houses can fuck right off.” Cassio said and looked at Sal: “What would you have me do first, my consigliere?”

  “Visit my mother to let her know the bloodline is secure.” Sal said and glanced at the drags they were dressed in: “And make ourselves presentable.”

  “Our townhouse’s baths are at your disposal. As are our tailors.” Gonzalo said.

  “I’d rather not undress under Neri roof.” Cassio said.

  “Then at least borrow my carriage.” Gonzalo said: “I will see that lady Bianca is returned home safely.”

  Gonzalo led her away and Bianca broke down crying when they were alone. This time Gonzalo did hug her.

  ***

  Cassio sat in the carriage with Sal headed to Primavera Street and in the closed in space, it was impossible not to notice the stench that clung to them. It had been far too long since his last bath. Both of them looked like beggars.

  “Sal, advise me. What now?” Cassio said.

  “I will arrange a press conference. There can be no doubt that it’s really you. We will also have to do some house cleaning. Too many people are still loyal to your uncle.”

  “Don’t remind me that I am related to that man.” Cassio said while staring out of the window: “Get me a list of the people that need replacing. I will sign it.”

  “I’ve had it ready for years but… not all of them will leave willingly. Many prefer power to a pension. Do I… have your leave to use force if it becomes necessary? Even the… three-gram retirement plan?”

  Three grams. The weight of a bullet. Cassio rubbed the scar running over his blind eye. Whenever he looked in the mirror, the scar was there to remind him of Maximo. Of the monster his House had created.

  “Cassio?” Sal asked.

  “They know the price for mutiny. If it needs doing, do it.” Cassio said.

  “It shall be done, my lord.” Sal said.

  Cassio pinched his new signet ring that had run down in his family for a millennium. He had just ordered the removal and possible deaths of people who had served his family all their lives. He had little doubt more harsh choices were in his near future. The ring already felt like a shackle.

  “Things will change. Things will have to change. We cannot permit this madness to go on any longer.” Cassio said.

  “I will start feeling out for allies. Prospero should be a sure deal. Which means Viktor is also in the bag. I should also be able to convince Livia. But the surest way would be if you…”

  “My hand is not on the table. I will not marry her to secure this alliance.” Cassio said.

  “Understood.” Sal said and pulled at his beard: “Even I won’t be able to get House Neri to play ball.”

  “You think I don’t know that?” Cassio said and his hand turned into a fist: “How much blood will be on me by the time this is over?”

  “It will be on both of us.” Sal said: “Look… leave House Neri and… Gonzo to me. But Luciano Riggi is the more immediate problem. We need the head of police to be someone loyal to us.”

  Cassio gave Sal a thin smile: “I bet you have been looking forward to that for years.”

  “Oh, I have.”

  “Charming. You have served me well. You have my leave to indulge yourself. Just spare me the details. God knows Riggi deserves it.”

  “His son works at the Ministry of Joy. Gonna have to kill him too. As a matter of fact… the whole family needs to go.” Sal said.

  “Even the wife and daughter?” Cassio asked.

  “That radio program Mrs. Riggi hosts? Best propaganda the Guild of Fire has ever had. She has motivated killers and makes murderers out of fools.” Sal said.

  “At this rate we will have killed half of Garuccia to save it.”

  “Have faith.” Sal said before casting his eyes down: “Look… I know this is a tough spot, but I need some time off. I have to see my son. He thought I was dead for a year. I… missed his fourth birthday. I also need to see if I can patch things up with Nuncio.”

  “How the hell do you have time for an affair?”

  “Practice.”

  “Fine. Get me set up and then take all the time off you need. Bring Julian here if you want.”

  “I will think about it.” Sal said before hesitating.

  “Something else you want to ask me?” Cassio said.

  “Yes… Cassio, I have tried to be the best possible friend I can. As loyal of a servant anyone has had. As reliable of an advisor you could hope for. I will follow you on this wherever it will take us but… if we share the risks, we will also share the rewards.”

  “What do you want?”

  Sal thought about it for a moment and then knocked on the carriage wall: “Stop the carriage. We’re walking the rest of the way.”

  They stepped out of the carriage and people on the street stared unbelievingly as two hobos got out of carriage belonging to House Neri. Cassio was used to being treated with reverence wherever he went but now people stared at him like he was a nobody. His hair and beard were so dirty they looked more brown than red. The carriage driver nodded out of respect before riding off.

  “What’s the point of this?” Cassio said.

  Sal sat down on the sidewalk and took off his pegleg to rub his stump. Cassio sat next to him, and someone tossed a coin on his lap like he was a common beggar.

  “Oh, nice.” Sal said and looked at the coin: “A whole diam. How generous.”

  “Charming.” Cassio said and put the coin in his pocket.

  “Just enjoy the moment of calm and tell me what you see.” Sal said.

  Cassio looked at the people passing by. People dressed in their fine clothes and women wearing jewelry. Every single one of them turned their noses at them. All signs of poverty had been washed away with police batons, and it wouldn’t be until nightfall that the less fortunate would come out.

  “Leoden. Garuccians.” Cassio said.

  “I see, I see.” Sal said.

  They sat by the sidewalk people watching and made three diams out of the city’s generosity before two police officers told them to move on or they would be moved. For a moment Cassio thought about slamming their heads together but then followed Sal when he made a quick exit. Cassio wasn’t used to travelling on foot in Leoden, but his stench and ragged garb made people give them way.

  “Do you still see Garuccians?” Sal asked while they walked.

  “Still.” Cassio said.

  It was a twenty-minute walk until they arrived at Primavera Street, and the white faces were replaced by dark ones. It was like stepping into a different world just with the change of a street. The buildings were less maintained. The people living there were less finely dressed. Less confident. Less opulent. Less everything.

  “What do you see?” Sal asked.

  Cassio looked around at the brown faces passing them by. Few dared to meet his gaze.

  “Primavera Street. Spring Islanders.” Cassio said.

  “And that’s where you’re wrong. They’re Garuccians but because of our skin we are foreigners in our own country. We are born guilty. Our futures are decided by forces that despise us. The law binds us but does not protect us. The price of my aide? You will help me change this.”

  Cassio looked around again and felt a bang of guilt. Hadn’t he done that too? Thought that Spring Islanders weren’t truly part of Garuccia despite living there for centuries?

  “You overcame it.” Cassio said.

  “And all it took was being reborn as a god. Cassio, there is limitless potential here. Release it. Give my people back their futures.”

  A pack of children playing on the street caught Cassio’s eye and he wondered if they knew their futures had been stolen from them before their lives had even properly begun.

  “Loyalty is a two-way street.” Cassio said: “I do solemnly swear as a descendant of King Eld to fix this.”

  Even the filthy beard could not hide how warm Sal’s smile was: “Thank you, Cassio.”

  “How low of a man do you take me for?” Cassio said.

  “Well…you’re a noble. That usually makes a man more or less useless.”

  “Very perceptive of a man who should be blind from the upsetting amount of self-abuse he commits.” Cassio said.

  “I find it suspect that you a keep a score.” Sal said and pulled out a bottle of grappa: “A gift from Gonzo.”

  “You need liquid courage to meet your mother?” Cassio asked.

  “If you had been born on Primavera Street you’d understand. You haven’t truly known fear until you have to tell your mother that you knocked up a white girl.” Sal said.

  “And how did she take it?” Cassio asked.

  “Ever seen a mother almost say something family shattering? I have. She course corrected at the last second.”

  The bottle of grappa passed between them and Cassio realized it had been more than a year since he’d had spirits worth drinking. It was enough to make him feel light-hearted for the first time in over twelve months.

  “Advise me, Sal. How would you start fixing this?” Cassio asked after a gulp of grappa.

  “City renovation. Have you ever heard of ser Roberto Moise?”

  “The architect who designed half of Leoden? Yes. His name came up.” Cassio said: “My great-grandfather knighted him.”

  “And what valiant service he did. Have you ever noticed how you can’t use public transport to get to The Global? Or the National Park? Or even the goddamn beach? How they are only accessible via carriage thanks to how the city is designed? Thus, turning them into playgrounds for the rich? You can thank ser Moise for that?”

  “I know he designed a playground for Primavera Street too.” Cassio said defensively.

  “Oh yes. Yes, he did. Would you like to see it?”

  “How bad is this going to be?” Cassio asked.

  “Judge for yourself.”

  Sal led her to a playground that looked like it was falling apart, and Cassio could not imagine it being safe to play at. To his relief the children steered clear of it.

  “What do you see?” Sal asked.

  “I think there being statues of monkeys everywhere is in poor taste.” Cassio said.

  “Let it be known that ser Moise wore his heart on his sleeve.” Sal said.

  Cassio had more grappa, but it no longer cheered him up and he felt even filthier than he had moments ago. Without another word they headed to the apartment complex that Sal’s mother owned. Cassio had met her a few times, and she had always struck him as fearsome woman. A creole with skin a touch lighter than her neighbors. She was wiping tables when they entered, and Cassio grimaced when he saw how much fight had gone out of her. There was more grey in her hair than there should have been after just a year and the lines on her face had grown deeper and more numerous. She raised her head to greet them, but when her eyes fell on Sal, she stared at him like a terror from beyond the pale come to torment her. Cassio was relieved he’d had that drink.

  “Mom… it’s me.” Sal said softly.

  Isabella Torrini’s hand fell limply to her side, and she dropped the rag she had used to clean the tables. Then she let out a scream like someone had torn her insides out and told her to stitch herself back together. She screamed and cried, blinded by tears she reached for her son. Sal took her hand and Isabella clung to him like she would never let go. Alarmed by the screaming, inhabitants looked out of their flats and Cassio walked to meet them.

  “Lady Torrini just found out that her son isn’t dead. Could you give her a moment?” Cassio said.

  “Sal… is alive?” One of the female inhabitants said and glanced at lobby: “… holy shit… it is him and… are… are you lord Lionheart?”

  A wave of fear washed over the inhabitants, and they all gathered around him like he was some evil god they had to appease, or he would destroy them.

  “… viscount Rossi… we are at your service.”

  The people’s voices were more terrified than awed. Had he really given people so many reasons to fear him?

  “It is count Rossi now.” Sal said.

  Sal had helped Isabella sit down and had poured her the last of the grappa that she drank while still crying. It was always shocking how commanding Sal’s voice was when he didn’t pitch it higher.

  “Could you all return to your rooms for the time being and not let a word of this get out?” Sal said.

  The people just nodded and returned to their rooms without a word.

  “Okay.” Sal said: “That bought us maybe twenty minutes. Thirty if we are lucky. Mom, I need to use the phone. You get the bouncers and tell them to keep the paparazzies away. The press can’t see Cassio like this. And run some hot water.”

  It was easy to see where Sal had gotten his scary degree of competence. Her eyes were red from crying, and her hands still trembled, but Isabella got to work, and she worked fast. In the meantime, Sal made a call with a phone in the lobby.

  “Jenny? It’s Sal. I’m alive. I need you and Gail at my mom’s place yesterday and… Yes, it’s me! Listen! The press will be on us any minute now! Get Gail here! Cassio needs a shave and a haircut! And an eyepatch. He… what? Yes. He lost an eye. And bring clothes. Red and black for Cassio. Blue, pink and purple for me. The usual set. And hurry! Cassio will pay double over whatever commission you’re working on. I gotta go! Move! Move! Move! And Riggi! If you’ve bugged the phones again, Salvatore Torrini lives! You evil cocksucker!”

  Sal hung up the receiver before he dialed another number.

  “Artie? It’s Sal. Prince of the Wild lives! I need you now and more than ever. I am on my hands and knees begging. We need an epic photo-op and a fluff piece for Cassio’s return. You can have the exclusive.”

  While Sal was negotiating over the phone, Isabella nodded at Cassio.

  “Let’s get you presentable, my lord.” Isabella said.

  She led him to the communal bath in the basement. The air was hot and soupy, and the floor was still wet. There was a row of showers, and one bathtub filled with warm water and foam.

  “I am sorry that these are not up to your usual standards. I… do not know why he brought you here.” Isabella said.

  “He wanted his mother to know he was alive.” Cassio said.

  Isabella turned away when he threw away the rags he had worn to get here and stepped into the hot water. He dipped his head under water and pulled all the foam he could to cover his genitals before Isabella turned around again. Isabella had rolled up her sleeves and started cleaning the filth out of Cassio’s hair and beard. Upstairs he could hear a door slamming open followed by screaming and crying.

  “You bastard!” Jenny Glamour screamed: “You absolute fucking bastard! I thought you were dead!”

  “I know and I am sorry. Gail. Basement. Now. And please hurry.” Sal said.

  Sal burst into the washing room with Jenny Glamour and Gail. Jenny was a short, lean woman with short, black hair and a light brown skin you could have mistaken for a tan during the summer. Gail was a tall but graceful lady with light brown hair and gentle eyes.

  “Hi, Mrs. Torrini… holy shit… you really are alive, lord Rossi.” Gail said.

  “Hello, Abigail.” Cassio said.

  “Make him look as close to his usual self as you can. No one can have any doubts.” Sal said.

  “Jesus… you really did lose an eye.” Jenny said.

  “Good to see you too, Jenny Glamour.” Cassio said.

  “We are all very touched.” Sal said and started stripping.

  “Sal! There are women present.” Isabella said.

  “Everyone here has seen my cock! You changed my diapers for God’s sake.” Sal said and stepped under a shower: “Gail. Get to work.”

  “Boss!” One of the bouncers yelled from upstairs: “The press is here!”

  “Cunts!” Sal screamed while standing under a cold stream.

  “I don’t have time to do you both.” Gail said.

  “Story of my life. You! Hold the press back! Buy us as much time as you can! Cassio, when you make your grand entrance, keep it short. Tell them that… the details of your disappearance don’t matter. Only that you’re back. Your uncle was so shocked that you had to take over as the count.” Sal said.

  “What are the fucking details?!” Jenny said.

  “We were almost murdered by a seven-foot-tall tart man-beast! Mom! Scissors, razor and mirror!”

  While Gail shaved away his beard and groomed his side-whiskers, Sal trimmed his beard into an arrowhead shape, did away with the mustache and clipped off some of his hair. While Cassio began to look like his former self, Jenny showed off the clothes she had brought.

  “Where are the square pattern suits?” Sal asked.

  “Out of fashion.” Jenny said.

  “Fuckers! Fine. Dark blue suit, pink shirt and purple tie.” Sal said.

  “Don’t you talk to Jenny like that!” Isabella shouted while bringing them towels.

  “Get off my case, mom. Cassio, out of the bath now. Jenny, he will wear the red greatcoat. Waistcoat and ascot to match. Black shirt and pants. We’ll both take the brown shoes.” Sal said.

  They dried themselves quickly and Jenny helped Cassio get dressed. Sal tied his hair back with a pink ribbon to hide what a mess it was. When Jenny handed him the black eyepatch, Cassio wondered if he should have followed Sal’s example and showed off his injuries. Sal never tried to hide his stump for their enemies would have thought it a weakness. Something he was ashamed of and had to hide. Then he put on the eyepatch. He was a lion. He had no enemies that needed bluffing.

  Once they were dressed, Sal smirked: “Show time, darling.”

  The press had surrounded Isabella’s apartment complex and all eyes in Primavera Street were on them. People had gathered at windows and children stood on their mothers’ shoulders to get a better look. There was thunder in the air. Everyone could feel it. Something big was about to happen. Sal burst through the lobby doors like a star on opening night. The flashes from the cameras could have been a baptism.

  “Leoden! Sorry to disappoint you but Salvatore Torrini is alive and well! Now! Cheer for the newest high lord of Garuccia! Count Cassio de Rossi! The Lionheart! Lord of the Pridelands!”

  Cassio knew his cue and walked out to the flashing of cameras and awed cheers of the people. He saw the press and he saw the people of Primavera Street. Looking at him. He wasn’t sure but there might have been hope in their eyes. He spotted lord Arturo de Corvo amidst the press and nodded at him. He had never felt comfortable being interviewed and it was comforting to see a familiar face amidst the reporters.

  “Thank you for arriving at such a short notice. The details of my disappearance do not matter at the moment. The only thing that does is that I have returned. My return shocked my uncle so badly that I have taken over the office of count.” Cassio said and looked at Sal: “I have named my head advisor as my consigliere. Whatever questions you have, can be directed at him.”