The Blessed Read Online Free PDF Page A

him.
    â€œKill you? What did you do besides refuse his advances?”
    â€œMaimed him. Took an eye.”
    Armand nodded, barely concealing his immediate fear for her. “There is little Amidei prizes above his wealth and power. His own physical beauty might be one. Why does the baron travel with him? Was he not once a loyal friend to the house of d’Angelo?”
    â€œOnce,” Daria said. “Far has he fallen.”
    â€œI believe they wish us all dead,” Piero put in. “Amidei had in his possession a portion of this letter. Well he knows what our intent might be—to be agents of change within the Church, to bring light where there is darkness. This is antithetical to his goals. If he cannot control us, use us, he will try to destroy us.”
    Armand rose and paced, back and forth, fingers steepled before him, eyes shifting back and forth, deep in thought. “So Amidei wanted you to turn to him so that he might make use of your powers, your gifting , as the priest calls it. He framed your knights for a crime they did not commit, kidnapped another, and stole Daria to his dark isle.”
    â€œYes. He believed separation would weaken us, leave us vulnerable. It did for a time,” Daria allowed. “But he did not count on God’s own power undergirding us all. He did not understand that for all the drama of my own gift of healing, Gianni’s faith, Father Piero’s wisdom, Hasani’s visions, Tessa’s discernment, Gaspare’s powers—that God himself wishes us to be together, remain together. Together, we are mightiest of all.”
    â€œYou are all of the Body,” Armand mused. “One an arm, another a leg, another a hand. Together, you are of the most use.”
    â€œWell said,” Father Piero said, appreciating the nobleman’s obvious knowledge of Saint Paul’s writings to the Corinthians. “Amidei wished to tear us apart, take Daria because her gifting is the most public, the most useful to him.”
    Armand cocked an eye at Daria and then looked to the priest. “I beg your pardon, Father, but I doubt it was only Daria’s gifting that drew Amidei’s attention. Your lady is famed for her beauty and clearly harbors an intellect to rival any man’s. If he is after her, there shall be no dissuading him.”
    Daria sighed impatiently. “We shall not fail one another nor our God. We shall never bow to Amidei. Despite your chivalry and hospitality, we shall never bow to you.”
    The young lord blinked slowly in her direction and gave her a patronizing smile. “I see, m’lady, that while you are beautiful and intelligent, you still have much to learn in the art of courtly conduct.”
    Daria frowned. They hadn’t time for such trifling. “M’lord, please understand. We have been brought together by God’s hand. We live to serve him in his call, alone. Nothing must get in our way.”
    Armand became as still and focused as she. “Even at further threat to your lives?”
    â€œIf necessary. Obviously we prefer to live. But no matter the cost, we are committed to this call and this cause. We can do no other.”
    Armand shared a slow smile with Anette, then looked to the others. “You are aware that you are in a castle that has long housed true believers.”
    â€œSpeak plainly,” Gianni said.
    â€œWe are descendants of Balthazar,” Armand said, rising. He walked to a nearby wall and tapped on the family crest on a massive tapestry, hung from rings atop a bar.
    â€œThe star of Bethlehem,” Daria whispered.
    â€œYou are a descendant of a king who worshipped at the feet of the one true King?” Piero said, rising. His voice was tight, full of wonder.
    â€œIndeed,” said Armand. “We have long risen when our Lord beckons. To his birthplace. On crusade to the Holy Lands. And in light of that, I have something to show you.” He walked to the