Rafael pursed his lips; looked at them thoughtfully for a while. "I do know someone who might be able to tell you if she's alive or dead. It is a little magical skill that he has. Do you have any of her clothing?"
Marco shook his head. Benito fished in his pockets. "Scarf she's been wearing?" he asked, pulling it out.
"That should work. Come on. He's over at the Marciana Library this morning."
* * *
Luciano looked up from the book he'd been peering at. The ink was old and fading. His eyes were tired. And there coming toward him was a sight for sore eyes: Rafael de Tomaso and Marco and Marco's brother. Well, it was time he made formal contact. He looked back among the stacks. There was Harrow. The boy was still protected.
* * *
Here, in between the books, he felt safe. Walking out to see Rafael, Marco had felt naked . . . as if they might be the next victims. Because he was utterly certain Maria hadn't disappeared by accident.
Still, he'd nearly fallen over his own jaw when Rafael brought them face-to-face with Chiano. Chiano wearing a fine cloak, and now calling himself Dottore Luciano Marina--but still unmistakably Chiano.
"Hello, Marco," his Jesolo guardian said with a smile.
It was Rafael's turn to look dumbfounded. "You know each other?"
For an answer, Marco embraced Luciano. "Better than you could dream, Rafael. And Sophia?" he asked. Seeing Luciano brought it back to him. He'd been forgetting a debt. He longed to see her, especially right now.
"She's still in the marshes, boy. Won't leave. Says it it's where she belongs, now. I went to see her a few days back. Misses you. You were always better with her medicines and potions than I was. So--what brings you here? I am delighted to see you, of course, but you came looking for me."
They explained.
Luciano looked grim. "The town is awash with trouble. Give me that scarf." He stretched both hands out, palms up.
Benito laid the scarf across them.
They waited.
Luciano shuddered briefly.
Took a deep breath.
"She is alive," he said slowly. "Hush. This is a library!"
"Sorry. We're just relieved."
"Don't be," said Luciano grimly. "All I can tell further is that she is a prisoner, and surrounded by water."
Benito took a deep breath himself. "Right! Well, we'll get a search organized. I'll get back to Caesare and have a word with all the runners. Marco, you could maybe get hold of Tonio. Get the canalers to look for anything."
Rafael smiled. "Your little brother's quite an organizer, Marco."
Marco took Luciano's hands. "Thank you, old friend. We'll find her. And even if she is in danger--we have friends." Turning to Rafael he smiled. "You don't want to try living with Benito, Rafael. He organizes himself out of all the bad chores. But Maria's important to him. She's important to me too, but Benito thinks the world of her, though he won't admit it. Anyway, I must go. Thank you both from the bottom of my heart."
* * *