Konklave (seleccion)

and turning through the depths of the Vatican. He had no idea wher

dows seemed to deepen. Alessandro could feel

ring in his ear. "Turn back now,

one there. The whisper seemed to come f

wasn't going to let some creepy whispers scare him

something strange. The walls seemed to be shifting, t

narrowed. What w

his chest. The whispers grew louder, m

ose to something.

pace. The ceiling disappeared into darkness, and the wall

ed as he took in the si

on the far side of the room. A figure

d at the figure. It was Francesca, or at leas

e black as coal, and her skin was deathly pale. She

andro whispered, h

staring straight ahead, her eyes f

crawled. What ha

as he did, she suddenly spoke. "Alessa

omething else, something that sen

n?" Alessandro asked, tryi

glinting in the dim light. "I've

asn't Francesca. This was somet

rooted to the spot. Francesca's eyes seem

verything w

ld stone floor, his head throbbing with pain.

as nowhere

racing with anger. What had they done

ed. He was going to find Fran

echoing off the walls. "You'

l find her," he growled. "And when I do, I

mirthless sound. "We'll s

the source of the voice. But there was nothing. No shadow

clenched. "I'll find her," he repe

he walls. "You're brave, I'll give you that," it

owed. "What do you wan

Alessandro thought he had finally gotte

ice. "I want to show you something," it said. "Something th

sank. What were the

ng shivers down Alessandro's spine. "Fol

ee a path. And then, he saw it. A fai

heart pounding in his ches

illuminating a series of ancient stone carvings.

of the Vatican, one that was far removed from

he took in the images. What

inal carving, one that m

o bore into Alessandro's soul. The figure was surrounded by symbols of darkness and

with fear. What was this thing? And w

s tone dripping with malice. "You see now, Alessan

et pounding against the stone floor. He didn't know whe

sted images seared into his mind. He could feel the weight

door to the labyrinth slamming shut behind him. Ale

e also knew that he couldn't do it alon

or what lay ahead. He knew that he was in grave d

ff through the corridors of the Vatican, determ