The Sleepless Stars Read Online Free Page B

tradition. The dozen men and women seated at the table, all Lazarettos leading various family enterprises, stirred. The Vatican faction smirked, obviously in on his plans, while the financial managers checked their cuff links and creases, trying to hide their concern. The men and women whose job it was to gather intelligence and eliminate the family’s competition kept their expressions blank.
    Francesca took a cautious sip of her wine, certain that she was not going to enjoy whatever Marco had planned for tonight’s gathering.
    “Ladies and gentlemen,” Marco continued, “what I am proposing may seem radical, but I’m sure you’ll agree that it is the best way to ensure our family’s future.” He raised his glass and nodded to Francesca. “While we are all indebted to my sister and her people for the sacrifices they have made for our family in generations past, it’s become obvious to me that we no longer live in a world where that sacrifice is necessary. I propose to you that we end the Scourge once and for all.”
    A murmur spread around the table, but no one seemed genuinely surprised. Of course not. Marco would have tested the waters before making his proclamation. Francesca set her glass down and dropped her hand into her lap, the better to hide its uncontrollable trembling.
    “We have always protected family members afflicted by the Scourge,” she said, keeping her tone calm and unemotional.
    Of all the family leaders, she was the only one suffering from fatal insomnia, the Lazaretto Scourge. The others led normal lives, free from fear, free from the excruciating knowledge of exactly how they would die. The price they paid for that freedom was to care for their brothers and sisters. For hundreds of years, countless generations, it had always been that way. What Marco was proposing would, in one fell swoop, erase an entire arm of the family.
    “In return,” she continued, “those of us afflicted have served the rest of the family well. Securing you wealth and power—”
    “But it’s been over two decades since the last Vessel appeared,” a distant cousin dressed in the robes of a Vatican bishop protested.
    “And with modern technology, we’ve been able to steal what information we need without their use,” Marco added.
    “We’ve also created new revenue streams via our medical research,” Francesca put in.
    “Research that will be continued, of course. By talented, healthy Lazarettos with no fear of dying before the promise of their work can be fulfilled. You of all people should appreciate that, dear sister.”
    Francesca pushed to her feet, the edges of her vision blurring. She inhaled deeply, forcing her fugue aside. No, not now. If she lost this battle, if she showed any hint of weakness, she would lose everything. Time, she just needed a little more time. Then she’d hold the power. She could save everyone—both afflicted and healthy.
    “There are eighty-one of us as of the last census, dear brother. What are you proposing? Mass murder? Or would you like me and my sons and daughters, our cousins and aunts and uncles to drink willingly from the cup of death you offer us?”
    “Francesca, always one for the dramatic. I’m simply proposing that we put that science of yours to good use and make sure this is the last generation to carry the Scourge. When they die, the Scourge dies with them. Until then, you are all welcome to live out your days on the island. We will care for you as we always have.”
    Exile. He was proposing exile. Which would mean an end to all of her plans. It was bad enough he’d already shut down her financial resources, now he was going to imprison her and her people as well?
    “Who are you to decide our fate?” she challenged him, hoping to rally the others to her side. “Are we not Lazarettos as well? Have we not served the family faithfully, without question? And have you all,” she favored each of her relatives with a sharp-eyed glance in turn, “each of