TODAY, OUR HARD-WORKING TEAM MEMBER, AUTHOR LORRAINE CAREY, IS SHARING CHAPTER 11 FROM HER NOVEL, 'THE LAST VESTAL VIRGIN' #RWRTeamBlog #ReadWriteRepeat
Christina Ciccone had no idea the Vestal Virgins of Rome
existed, nor was she ready for them to claim her as one of
their own and take her to an ancient realm far from her family
and friends. Rome was about to burn again, and she had to
stop it!
~ History Meets Mystery In This Supernatural Tale!
Chapter Eleven
Why Me?
It was late when the bus rolled up to the hotel where two armed guards stood at the entrance. They were part of the poliziotti (policemen) or carabinieri who patrol areas of major cities on foot.
“Looks like we’ve got some bodyguards,” Ryan announced.
The sound of helicopters buzzing above was unnerving. “The alert must have been raised,” Mr. Frescelli said. “Students and chaperones, please grab your day bags and report to your rooms. It’s past curfew. Your chaperones will be in to update you on any changes. Everyone, please contact your parents and let them know you are okay. I’ll see you all at breakfast. I’ve tentative plans for us to take a bus to the town of Tivoli tomorrow. It’s a beautiful city. Villa d’Este is a mansion built in the 16th century for the wealthy family of Este. There are unbelievable gardens that will make your jaw drop. Get a good night’s sleep.”
Ryan was about to explode. Yeah, I’ll make his jaw drop; one good punch should do it. Not one to hold his emotions in, he followed Mr. Frescelli. “You know, this trip has already been in chaos, and your dictator-like attitude doesn’t help this situation!”
Most of the students stood in the hallway with their mouths agape.
“Lucy, control your son, please.” Mr. Frescelli demanded.
Ryan walked away with his mother hot on his heels.
“Look,” said Lucy. I don’t like his attitude any more than you, but you’ve got to keep a lid on your mouth. Make no mistake, Ryan; I’ve been documenting everything that’s gone on here.”
As everyone wearily toted their bags upstairs, the chaperones met with Mr. Bernini in the
hotel lobby. He had informed them that the crime had escalated and now the Polizia di Quartiere
were being brought in. President Giorgio Napolitano was going to issue a press statement that
may involve closing the borders to visitors. Many of the shops had been vandalized, and there
were at least five set on fire earlier that day. It seemed an offshoot branch of the Italian Radical
Party was claiming responsibility, wanting to see the new human rights bills passed and their
leader, Carlo Landucci, released from prison sooner than was planned.
“I fear you may need to cut your tour short,” Mr. Bernini said to them as he lowered his head with disappointment. Mr. Lucerno, his assistant, was also nodding. He knew what it meant to these students. “You’ll need to contact the American Embassy and fill out their forms for you to continue with your stay. I can call them and arrange to get all the paperwork ready for you.”
Mr. Frescelli thanked Mr. Bernini, then turned to consult his chaperones. “Let’s meet in the sitting room.”
“I think we need to get these children on the next plane,” Lucy Beckell asserted.
“Now, just hold on. They’ve waited all year for this trip, and their parents have paid good money,” Frescelli commented.
“Money – it’s not about the money! We’ve got to consider the safety… for them and ours,” Lucy countered. “I’ll make my own decisions, and Ryan and I may be making arrangements to leave as soon as possible!”
Flora Silva followed Lucy up to the rooms. “Lucy, please, listen to what he says. I really think the students are okay for now. Let’s wait until the president makes his statement tomorrow, and we’ll know more.”
Lucy got locked into Mrs. Silva’s steel-gray blue eyes. She suddenly felt a sense of calm and relief overtake her. “I guess it’s wise to see what happens. Thanks for helping me calm down. I’d better go and check on Trisha and Kelly, and you need to see your girls. Have a good sleep.”
“I always do,” Flora said as she turned and walked down the hallway. She found Christina, Chelsey, and Tamara getting ready for bed. “Did any of you contact your folks?”
“Yes, I just got off the phone with mine,” Christina said. “I didn’t tell them what happened to me today; I didn’t want to worry them.”
“Well done, my child,” said Flora.
Tamara overheard their conversation from the bathroom while she brushed her teeth and wondered who talks like that anymore.
“I’ll leave you lovely young ladies to prepare for the night. Make sure you get a good rest for tomorrow. You’ll believe you’re in the Garden of Eden when you see the city of Tivoli. And Christina, I’m so glad you’re feeling better. You still look a bit pale, my dear. Have a light snack, then retire to your bed.”
Tamara came out of the bathroom still holding her toothbrush. “Okay, come on, Christina. What planet did she come from?”
“I think she’s harmless, and just lonely.”
“Wow, you still are majorly pale! Have you looked in the mirror lately?”
“No. I just want to put on my pajamas and go to bed. I had to listen to my mother give me a lecture on how dangerous this place is, and now I feel drained.”
Chelsey came over and sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m going down the hall to fill up the ice bucket so I can make you some ice water.”
Christina chugged down the cool water, quenching her dry throat. She made one last trip to the bathroom to wash her face, hoping that might also revive her.
Dear Lord, I’m turning into an old woman. She gave a close-up look at the dark circles under her eyes and the appearance of a few crow’s feet that weren’t there the day before. This trip is really hitting me hard.
By the time she came out of the bathroom, Tamara and Chelsey were asleep. Christina climbed into bed with her reading light and decided to read over the brochures about the Vestal Festival that was to take place the next day at the Forum on Palatine Hill. I just can’t believe this has to happen when we’re here. She devised a plan in her head. Damn, somehow I’ve got to at least see the atrium. I’m not leaving until I do. I’ll sneak out during the night; I will. I have to manage to get past the guards.
All the drama of the day caused her to fall asleep in no time.
Christina was roused from her sleep by a beautiful white light that appeared by the doorway. It floated down to the bottom of her bed and began to solidify. She jolted up in bed and watched the transparent apparition materialize into a beautiful lady. Christina’s eyes were transfixed on what appeared to be some sort of angel. She was clothed in white sheaths from head to toe. A golden aura encased her head and seemed to extend at least three inches outward. Long flaxen hair hung like ropes of silk underneath her veil. Her eyes were as turquoise as the waters surrounding Capri. She rose off the floor, now floating mid - air. “Do not fear, my child. You’re exactly where fate has led you.”
Christina glanced over at Tamara and Chelsey, who were still fast asleep.
“Who are you? What do you want?” Christina asked, amazed at this apparition. She began to tremble. Maybe this dream would soon end, she reasoned.
“Have you not read the signs, Adelia?”
“Adelia... Adelia!”
“Yes, all should be clear to you now, my priestess. You’ve come back to make things right. Donatus Lamata, your obsessive lover, was the cause of your undoing. Crime is rampant. All the signs are apparent. It is time for you to return to our realm. As soon as you light the eternal flame, the cleansing will take place. You will have done your part.”
“You... You are Vesta, aren’t you?” Christina’s body trembled.
“Yes, I am, my priestess.”
“Why have you waited until now to show yourself?”
“It was due to the medication you were on, Christina. Drugs dull the senses and hindered your connection to the spirit world. Your past will be made clearer to you as the next few days unfold. Be not afraid. You were not meant to live in this lifetime. Your soul was given up long ago, and once you have completed the task I ask of you, all will be well. Do not fail me. Our lives are all connected. We are like the wings of butterflies; one flutters in another realm and it affects an event in the next one. Look around; these days are sacred to my Vestals and me. This is the time we meet and renew our powers. You will light the flame tomorrow night at the atrium in the temple one more time for all of us. The process has begun. I am sure you have noticed the changes in your health and appearance. You are aging rapidly. Time is running out.”
“But how will I get past the guards? How will I...?”
The apparition faded to a faint glow, floated over to the doorway, and soon was gone.
“Sweet Jesus! This can’t be happening! If I lie here, I’ll soon wake from this nightmare.”
She couldn’t get back to sleep, and wondered why Chelsey and Tamara had not woken up by Vesta. Maybe it was some sort of spell Vesta had imposed upon them. Christina’s mind wandered back to the years of nightmares, medications, and emotional troubles in her life. Visions of the nightmares returned to her now full-force, and the pieces of the puzzle were slowly coming together. She thought about lighting the flame, her attraction to fire, and the night she made the flames rage out of control and land on Lee Mitchell’s jacket. She wondered how she would be able to do what Vesta said. The original chamber mount had been long gone. She also wondered who this Donatus guy was. I have to talk to Jade. Opening her laptop, she sent an email to her friend.
*****
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*****
AUTHOR BIO
Lorraine Carey is not only a paranormal enthusiast but has had many unexplained events in her lifetime and has been inspired by these events to use as a focal point in her fiction novels. One of her YA Novels won a Silver Award from Reader’s Favorite and was a finalist in the Wind Dancer Film Contest. As of current, she has fourteen published novels, three being co-authored, and has works included in a recent Anthology. Her genres mainly consist of the paranormal, but also include thrillers, romance, and erotica. As a veteran teacher, Lorraine began to write for Young Adults with the hopes of inspiring young readers. Currently residing in Florida, her retirement has given her more time to write when the spirits are willing.
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COMING SOON: On Wednesday, 4th November, we are delighted to welcome our guest author, John Howard, who is sharing an excerpt from his novel, 'Secrets Of Scandals Past'.
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