Prelude: Piazza di San Pietro

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Piazza di San Pietro; Vatican City State
Saturday, February 19
11:48 PM

Samantha was feeling incredibly distracted as she and Manon approached the red granite obelisk that stood towering over them at the center of the piazza. She could sense the unholy blood that slept within her veins as it began to boil; a gift from her father.

Demetrius was stepping softly past the colonnaded outer edge of the plaza. He was admiring the work that past popes commissioned and appeared to be oblivious to the following eyes of the Hunters. He was not meant to be here. If the taint in her blood was causing such a distracting discomfort, Samantha could only imagine the pain his malevolent plasma should be bringing him. Yet, he strolled across the cobblestones with no more difficulty than the tourists that would fill the same streets in mere hours.

In two days, the Jubilee of the Roman Curia will begin. The Pope will open the Holy Door into the basilica and keep it open until late into the night to ensure none will be denied the opportunity to gain indulgence. Demetrius planed to attend the Curia.

While all were open to indulgence, they couldn’t risk the possibility of a corruption of the ceremony. Despite the echoes of worship affecting her demonic side, Samantha tried to keep her concentration on the target and ignore pain crackling beneath her skin. Suddenly, Manon was tackled to the ground by an invisible force.

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Author's Notes: Mapping the Beast