Chapter 97

           TheHassassinsmiledashepulledhisvanintothemammothstonestructureoverlookingtheTiberRiver.Hecarriedhisprizeupandup…spiralinghigherinthestonetunnel,gratefulhisloadwasslender.

           Hearrivedatthedoor.

           TheChurchofIllumination,hegloated.TheancientIlluminatimeetingroom.Whowouldhaveimaginedittobehere?

           Inside,helayheronaplushdivan.Thenheexpertlyboundherarmsbehindherbackandtiedherfeet.Heknewthatwhathelongedforwouldhavetowaituntilhisfinaltaskwasfinished.Water.

           Still,hethought,hehadamomentforindulgence.Kneelingbesideher,heranhishandalongherthigh.Itwassmooth.Higher.Hisdarkfingerssnakedbeneaththecuffofhershorts.Higher.

           Hestopped.Patience,hetoldhimself,feelingaroused.Thereisworktobedone.

           Hewalkedforamomentoutontothechamber’shighstonebalcony.Theeveningbreezeslowlycooledhisardor.FarbelowtheTiberraged.HeraisedhiseyestothedomeofSt.Peter’s,threequartersofamileaway,nakedundertheglareofhundredsofpresslights.

           "Yourfinalhour,"hesaidaloud,picturingthethousandsofMuslimsslaughteredduringtheCrusades."AtmidnightyouwillmeetyourGod."

           Behindhim,thewomanstirred.TheHassassinturned.Heconsideredlettingherwakeup.Seeingterrorinawoman’seyeswashisultimateaphrodisiac.

           Heoptedforprudence.Itwouldbebetterifsheremainedunconsciouswhilehewasgone.Althoughshewastiedandwouldneverescape,theHassassindidnotwanttoreturnandfindherexhaustedfromstruggling.Iwantyourstrengthpreserved…forme