Carpathian 10 - Dark Symphony

your beautiful country."
    "I love the palazzo," Josef said enthusiastically. "I would love to try to paint it."
    "Well, of course you're welcome to come anytime," Don Giovanni invited. "The courtyard would be a good place to see a good portion of the architecture."
    "Grazie, signer, I appreciate the offer."
    Byron's teeth snapped together in frustration. The last thing he wanted was for Josef to spend any more time around the Scarletti family than strictly necessary. He could hear the police downstairs, interviewing the housekeeper. Alfredo was nearly hysterical, talking so fast it was difficult to understand what he was saying. Byron was well aware his family could hear every word, but they continued a pleasant conversation with Don Giovanni and Antonietta as if they were completely oblivious to the drama unfolding in the lower regions.
    He let the conversation flow around him, Eleanor trying to draw Antonietta out in vain.
    Antonietta was far too conscious of the police in her home. She had a vivid imagination, and the thought of Enrico stuck in the laundry chute was distressing to her.
    A second disturbance at the courtyard French doors caught Byron's attention. He heard Franco's startled cry, broken off. There were hurried footsteps rushing through the palazzo, calls for Tasha. A soft scream from Justine. Something is wrong.
    What else can go wrong? Antonietta wanted to yell in frustration.
    Franco opened the door to the conservatory, smiled at their guests, and leaned close to his cousin. "You must go to Paul immediately," Franco whispered. "It's urgent, Toni, you must hurry."
    Do you know what is wrong? Antonietta automatically reached for Byron.
    Byron took her arm even as he smiled at his sister. "Please excuse us for a few minutes. I am certain Don Giovanni and the others will entertain you in our absence." Paul is injured. It is severe. Franco's concern is very real, and Tasha is crying. Justine is radiating tremendous fear. He guided her quickly from the room, and they hurried up the stairs to Paul's rooms.
    They could hear Tasha's muted weeping and the murmur of voices. Justine's raised in alarm. "We have to call a doctor, Paul. You're going to die if we don't."
    "Just get Antonietta. She can take care of this," Paul's voice was weak.
    "You're being unreasonable. Tasha, you're his sister. Call a doctor. I swear you Scarlettis are so stubborn. Don't you understand? Paul is dying. If you let him die, I swear I'll have you all arrested."
    Antonietta and Byron entered the sitting room. The door to the bedroom was wide open.
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    Dark Symphony
    Page 131 of 188
    Tasha and Justine hovered near the bed. There's blood everywhere. Antonietta. If it is all Paul's, he has lost far too much.
    It was Byron's matter-of-fact voice that steadied her. Antonietta took a breath and walked with confidence to the bed. "Paul. What have you done?"
    "I have to talk to you alone, Toni."
    "Paul…" Justine protested. "Toni, please, I'm begging you to call a doctor for him. He says no, but it isn't too late. It can't be too late."
    "A doctor cannot help him, Justine, you already know that," Byron said softly, his voice as mesmerizing and hypnotic as his eyes. "You must leave this to Antonietta."
    Tasha wrapped her arm around Justine's waist. "Toni can help him. Let her, Justine.
    We're wasting time he doesn't have." She led Justine from the room, firmly closing the door behind her.
    Eleanor, I need herbs now. Hurry. Vlad, I will need your help, too. Byron didn't try to keep his communication from
    Antonietta. She had every right to know Paul's life was seriously at risk.
    "What is it, Paul?" Her hands were already moving over his body. Byron crowded close, applied pressure to the worst of the wounds.
    "He has been stabbed several times, Antonietta. He needs blood fast. I can help him.
    Eleanor will bring what I need."
    "I need to tell you, Toni." Paul caught at Antonietta's arm.
    "Don't talk until we get this bleeding under control."
    "It's too late, you know that. You always know. This is important."
    "Shut up, Paul," Antonietta hissed. "I mean it. You're not going to die on me. Byron, do whatever you have to do."
    "I have to give him blood, Antonietta." Byron waved his hand to still Paul's struggles, continued to apply pressure to the