It would truly be a spectacular display.
Johann, still carrying his satchel, walked toward the pentagram.
Leo had closed his eyes again, but the two panthers noticed Johann right away. They pricked up their ears and snarled, pulling at their leash, which was wrapped around the throne. Leo turned, and surprise flashed in his eyes as he recognized the man on the terrace. But he regained his composure in a heartbeat.
“Doctor Faustus,” he said with a thin smile and waved for Johann to join him under the baldachin. “What a pleasure. I was told that you were in Rome. Why didn’t you notify us? I would have prepared an appropriate welcome.”
“I’m sure you would have,” replied Johann, his voice still hoarse. He slowly came closer. “A welcome like your most loyal servant just had the pleasure of enjoying.”
“Oh, you speak of Monsignore Lahnstein?” Leo sighed. “Viktor disappointed me gravely. I honestly believed he understood how important it is for the church to find gold. If need be, even with the help of the devil. Tough times like these demand unusual methods. Fortunately, I took precautionary measures.”
“You mean you won Hagen over,” remarked Johann, thinking how cold blooded the mercenary had looked as he murdered his companion of many years from behind.
Leo gave a shrug. “Hagen is my best man within the Swiss guard. And that guard serves the pope—that is what my predecessor, Julius II, decreed. In addition, I have my very own personal bodyguards.”
With a wink he gestured at the two panthers, who had settled down peacefully beside the throne. But Johann knew that those beasts could attack him at any time. He guessed a whistle from the pope was all it took to send the shiny black cats flying at him.
“When a Mussulman merchant offered to sell these two beautiful beasts to me, Hagen arranged the purchase. That was when we got to know each other better, because Hagen loves animals almost as much as I do.” Leo smiled. “My little ones are from the same litter. I named them Romulus and Remus, in memory of the time of the great Roman emperors, when such panthers chased Christians to death inside the Colosseum. Now they serve the pope. How the times change.” He scratched one of the cats behind its ear, and the animal started to purr loudly. “Sadly, my darlings can’t cope with noise. I would have liked to have them with me during the summoning. In some cultures they are considered devils, after all. But Hagen will lead them to their cages once he has brought me your grandson.”
“All this nonsense here.” Johann gestured at the smoking firepots, the pentagram, and the ingredients surrounding them. “Do you truly believe the devil can be invoked like this?”
“Certainly! And you know it, too, Doctor, don’t you? You know it because we both learned from the same master. You served him for a long time, but now he serves me. He showed me much during the last few years. He is the greatest wizard in the world—even greater than you. And he has devoted himself to a transcendental power, a power far greater than all worldly empires combined!” Leo pointed at the black outline of the partially built Saint Peter’s Basilica. “The power of the church.”
“The church?” Johann gave a dry laugh. He took another step toward the throne; so far, the beasts remained still. “Do you honestly believe Tonio del Moravia would ever serve anyone but himself? And where is he, your servant?”
“So you call him Tonio del Moravia? I know he has many names, and he uses a different one with me. But why not Tonio?” Leo smirked. “Don’t fret, he will come. He promised. He likes to spend his time at Romulus and Remus’s place of retreat. That’s where he likes to gather his strength. He can be a little, well . . . odd at times. But he’s not going to miss the show of the devil dancing to my tune. He loves shows as much as I do.”
“It was Tonio who put the idea in your head that I knew how to make gold, wasn’t it? And he told you about Gilles de Rais. That was why you wanted me brought to Rome.”
“That was shortly after he revealed himself to me. And yes, he told me about the dark marshal and showed me some of the knight’s writs. Admittedly, it took me a while to recognize the jewel God sent me in the shape of your former master. But his disguise was just too good.”
So good that not even the pope can tell that Tonio and Gilles are one and the same person, thought Johann. What is your disguise this time, Tonio? What shell did you slip on?
Leo gave another shrug. “You managed to escape and couldn’t be found. So I needed a new plan, and this one is even better.”
“And this plan, too, stems from Tonio,” added Johann pensively. “A ritual to invoke the devil.”
“Be so kind and tell me how you got here,” said Leo. “I had men searching for you for so long—for years—and now you suddenly stand before me. Upon the uppermost terrace of the best-guarded castle in Rome. How did you do it? Can you fly?”
Johann bared his teeth, the skin of his face stinging with rashes. “I am a wizard, remember?”
“You are indeed.” Leo snorted with laughter. “The best in the world, they assured me. And therefore I consider it an honor that you will be witnessing my invocation. Especially since your very own grandson is going to be part of it.” The pope placed his hand against his ear and winked at Johann. “Ah, do you hear that? It can’t be long now.”
