Chapter 19

Capricorn sat back in his chair, drumming his fingers as he eyed Dafne,

"So now you want to be Basta's maid. It was my understanding that you were opposed to the idea."

Dafne shifted uncomfortably on the spot,

"I've... reconsidered."

"I see, may I ask what prompted this change of mind?"

Dafne shrugged,

"A change of scenery might be nice," she said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Capricorn made a noise which sounded like a laugh,

"A change of scenery? Yes, I suppose being pined over is preferable to being ordered around."

Dafne looked at him confused. Pined over?

"I'm sorry I don't..."

Capricorn's eyes narrowed,

"Don't play ignorant. You must know the reason Basta asked for you in particular."

"I have no idea," Dafne said, That's something you would have to ask him."

Capricorn smiled, "I don't have to ask. I know very well. You're not the first."

"The first what?" Dafne said with a twitch of exasperation.

"Oh please," Capricorn rose impatiently from his seat, "don't act innocent. You saw for yourself. How he used to look at my Resa."

This revelation caught Dafne by surprise.

"You knew about that?"

Capricorn swept past her and his answer came from behind.

"Of course I knew. Nothing gets past me, my dear. No matter how well Basta thinks he concealed his little infatuation, I knew."

"If you knew, why didn't you do anything?"

Capricorn laid his hands on her shoulders and she jumped,

"There was no need. Resa rejecting him was more satisfying than any punishment I could have devised."

He sighed,

"But Basta's nothing if not resilient. He simply sets his sights on the next girl. Now who do you think that might be? Someone he's been paying a lot more attention to lately."

"You don't mean me?" Dafne said incredulously.

Capricorn spun her around to face him, a pitying smirk waiting,

"Perhaps you're more naive than I thought, pigeon. Of course you."

Basta in love with her? The idea was laughable. And she did laugh but was a loud self-conscious laugh.

"Basta's not in love with me."

But Capricorn was not about to hear otherwise.

"Take it from me. I've known Basta since I took him in as a boy. When it comes to women, he's only motivated by one thing. You're no exception."

Dafne opened her mouth ready to argue but stopped. Maybe he was making sense. Basta had been acting strangely towards her. The way he had held her hand and looked at her like... Like the way she had seen him looking Resa. Was it true? Was that the reason he had been so insistent on making her his maid?

"I didn't..." she said helplessly. How could this have happened? She had definitely not encouraged such feelings on her part.

"I don't why you're so surprised," Capricorn said, "You're pretty enough to attract that kind of attention."

He ran his fingers over her cheek but Dafne was too engrossed in thought to feel the full revulsion of his touch.

Capricorn left her to it, returning to his chair.

"I believe my answer will be yes."

Dafne looked at him confused.

"Yes?"

His face was resting in the crook of his palm, a thin smile on his lips. A machinating smile. Dafne could imagine the cogs turning in that evil head.

"You can be Basta's maid," Capricorn said, "I'm granting your request."

This was not the outcome Dafne now wanted to hear. She couldn't act like the possibility that Basta had feelings for her didn't change anything. If it was true that meant that she would have to reject him one day. She had seen how Basta handled rejection.

"My, you don't look very pleased. I'm giving you what you wanted."

Capricorn appeared to be enjoying her dilemma.

That's why he said yes, Dafne realised, he wants to see us hurt each other.

It was all an amusing game to him. She clenched her fists. Damn him, he always seemed to have the upper hand in everything.

"I suppose you'll also keep your lap dog happy," she said.

Capricorn laughed,

"You might want to take this piece of advice. People who are desperate for kindness are easy to control, give them an inch and they'll follow you blindly."

"I'll bear that in mind."

"You should. But you strike me as an honest person, someone who would find it hard to string along unwanted suitor. Even if it was for her own good."

Dafne forced a brave smile,

"We'll see."

Capricorn regarded her slyly,

"Yes we will," he said, "Now get on with the lesson."

Returning to the kitchen afterwards, Dafne found herself pressed into another uncomfortable situation. She was paired with Vanetta to sweep out the hen house. She hadn't spoken with the bereaved girl since yesterday and her guilt still felt just as sharp. But there was no use pressing her for conciliation if she wasn't ready. Since the girl showed no willingness to talk at all, they worked around each other in silence.

That was until a familiar feline showed up. Dafne wasn't sure if he had been drawn by the girl or chickens wandering defencelessly around the yard.

"Nace!" Vanetta cried, abandoning her broom to gather him into her arms. For a stray, he didn't seem to mind being handled, "I'm so glad you're okay."

Dafne watched but kept her distance. The moment was theirs so she kept working.

But then there was another arrival. It was Silvio, coming from the direction of Basta's house.

"What are you doing here?" she asked the grinning boy.

"I saw you from the back road."

"You're supposed to be resting," Dafne scolded.

"But I'm bored," he whined, "What happened in that last story, did the lady guess the funny man's name?"

Dafne's eyes flicked over Vanetta who was watching them warily, Ignazio drawn protectively close. She turned back to the boy.

"I'd have to start again. I don't know when you fell asleep."

"Are you coming tonight?" he asked hopefully.

"We'll see," Dafne said, even though she knew now that it would probably be a certainty.

"Okay," the boy said, sounding disappointed that her answer had been less definite.

But then his attention turned to something else,

"Hey, I know that cat."

Dafne tensed, he was walking over to Vanetta. Silvio didn't seem to notice the girl's shocked face as he went to stroke her cargo.

"Is he yours?"

Vanetta jerked the cat out his reach,

"Stay away from him!"

Silvio looked confused by her reaction.

"I'm not going to hurt him."

"Not going to hurt him," Vanetta yelled, the timid girl Dafne knew disappearing, "All you people do is hurt people. Like my family. You killed them."

Her vehemence rattled Silvio enough that he took a step back,

"I didn't..." he started to say.

"Don't talk to me!" Vanetta cut him off sharply, "Your arm," she pointed at his sling, "It was you. You're the one my father shot. I wish he had killed you! Stay away from me and my cat."

She let go of Ignazio, who seemed to know it was time to exit and scampered away. Tears in her eyes, Vanetta fled too, back into the house.

Dafne went over to Silvio, who looked shaken.

"I didn't know it was her," he mumbled, "She really hates me."

Dafne gave his shoulder a squeeze, "She was just lashing out in grief. You didn't kill her family."

"But I was there," Silvio said, more to himself.

Dafne hoped that now Silvio might come to his senses and see that the life he was choosing would have consequences that would weigh heavily on his conscience. But she felt sorry for him all the same.

"You weren't there when it happened," she said, reminding him that it could have been worse, that the point of no return hadn't been crossed.

"That's only because of this," the boy said miserably, indicating his sling. Perhaps he was remembering Vanetta's wish that the bullet had been fatal.

"Hey," Dafne said, trying to distract him, "I need to put the chickens back in. Think you could help me herd them over?"

The boy nodded and slumped after the chickens. The hens didn't put up much resistance and docilely returned to their coop. Dafne bolted the door.

"Thanks."

Silvio smiled robotically. Then his face became very solemn.

"I'm sorry about getting you captured," he said, looking down at the ground regretfully, "I meant to say that last night but I didn't get around to it."

Dafne smiled at him in conciliation.

"I know you're sorry," she said, moving to put a hand on his shoulder, "And I forgive you."

Silvio's dark eyes darted up to meet her gaze,

"Really?"

Dafne nodded.

"Really."

Silvio's mouth formed a relieved smile.

"To tell you the truth I've missed you a lot so I'm happy to be friends again," Dafne said.

The boy appeared to blush at this.

"Good, er me too," he mumbled.

Dafne smiled as he cleared his throat self-consciously.

"Basta said that maybe you'd come live with us. Is that true?"

He looked at her hopefully.

Dafne leaned back against the coop with a sigh. Stupid Basta and his stupid big mouth.

"Yes," she said.

"I hope you do," Silvio said in a grave voice which matched his grave expression, "You're not safe in that house. If you were at Basta's I could protect you."

Would you protect me from Basta? Dafne thought.

But she didn't have the heart to say it. The boy still looked up to him.

She smiled and ruffled his hair.

"I'm sure you would."

The boy blushed again but he also smiled.

"Listen, I have to go now," Dafne said, watching his face fall at the news, "But I'll see you later, okay."

Silvio was able to draw the meaning from her words and cheered up.

"Okay, later," he said.

She was at the back door when he called out to her.

"Hey Dafne."

She turned back,

"Yes?"

The boy was grinning,

"Did you really beat up Cockerell?"

Feeling embarrassed to be caught out after all her lecturing on violence, Dafne nodded.

Silvio laughed, "Che figo," and took off.

Dafne shook her head fondly and went inside.

Maybe being Basta's maid won't be so bad, she thought, at least I'd be with Silvio. Surely Basta wouldn't try anything with him around.

She reached the kitchen, saw Basta and Mortola standing together and lost her train of thought. It was eerie the way they both turned to look at her at once. Basta was smiling. It didn't take a genius to know why he was here.

Mortola confirmed it by pointing at Dafne,

"You! Get over here!" she yelled.

Dafne suddenly felt the gaze of her fellow maids. She wished she could sink through the floor and disappear. But the floor stayed firm and she obeyed the order.

"Yes Mortola."

She purposely avoided looking at Basta but the alternative of Mortola's wrinkled angry face was just as bad.

"You again, I shouldn't be surprised," she said to Dafne, "You've been nothing trouble since you arrived," then she shrugged her bird-like shoulders, "Now you can be someone else's trouble for a while."

Dafne kept silent. Even if she had anything to say, it would not be a good idea.

"It wouldn't surprise me that you've orchestrated this," Mortola went on, "Seducing this one, thinking that it might get you somewhere. You're just like Resa, a little harlot."

Dafne tightened her hands into fists. Just take it, she told herself, she'll be finished soon as long as you don't take the bait. She was right. Mortola did look a bit disappointed but she masked it with a sneer.

She turned to Basta scornfully,

"Take her. I'll be glad to be rid of the little schemer."

Basta willingly obliged,

"Come on little mouse."

Mortola gave a snort of derision, most likely at the nickname.

Dafne went more eagerly than she would have liked since it mean getting away from Mortola. She caught sight of Resa's worried face in the corner of her ear and felt a twinge of regret. She should have made more of effort to inform her friend despite Mortola keeping them apart. What must Resa be thinking right now? Dafne would have to try to reach her later, try to explain herself. It didn't look good from this angle alone.

But at least one person was happy. Basta made attempt to disguise it.

"You must have been really convincing, little mouse," he said once they were outside the kitchen.

Dafne shrugged.

"I guess so."

She wasn't sure she was ready to let him know the real reason Capricorn had been so accommodating. That meant opening a can of worms regarding how he actually felt towards her.

"Hey what's the matter," Basta said, seizing on the lack of enthusiasm in her voice, "Is it what Mortola said?"

Dafne looked at him uncertainly. Where was he going with this? Mortola had just accused her of being a seductress.

"Never mind the old hag," he went on dismissively, to her relief, "You're free of her now."

That was true. The thought made Dafne smile.

Basta nodded approvingly,

"There you go," he reached over to take her by the arm, "Hold up, we're not leaving just yet."

Dafne eyed his hold on her uneasily,

"We're not?"

"No, I have a surprise for you first."

"What surprise?" she asked.

Basta was smiling. The sharp angles of his face always made him look intense, whatever expression. Her eyes searched for any signs of desire, longing. But she found none. Basta only looked secretive and pleased.

He winked. She had been starring so closely at him that it startled her.

"You'll see," he said, giving her arm a tug.

She gently prised her arm away,

"After you."

He led her to a part of the house she had never been before. Outside a closed door, a henchman was slumped with his head bowed as if he was sleeping. But as they approached, he jerked to attention. Basta gave him a slight nod and the guard handed him a key. Basta used it to open the door, beckoning Dafne over.

She peered curiously inside. It was a small room whose contents comprised of a few pieces of furniture, a few piles of books (books!) and one frightened looking bespectacled man.

"Hello Darius," said Basta cheerfully as he shut the door behind them.

"B-b-Basta," the man replied. He was clutching a book to his chest like a protective charm, "W-what are y-you doing here?"

"W-w-well D-d-darius," Basta said, cruelly mimicking the man's stammer, "I've bought a friend to look at that little book collection of yours."

"My b-books," the man said, looking warily at Dafne. Whoever this man was, she pitied him. He was obviously some kind of prisoner.

"What's going on?" she turned to Basta, "Who is this?"

"He's Darius," Basta replied, "Capricorn's reader. Though he's not much of one," he sneered, "Say hello to Dafne, Darius."

Reader? That's why the name sounded familiar, Dafne realised. This Darius was the one who had read Resa out of Inkheart.

"H-h-hello," stammered the reader, no doubt fearing what would happen if he didn't. But his tormentor was paying little attention.

"See little mouse," Basta was saying, "I told you I could get you books and here you are."

Dafne starred at him incredulously. They were definitely on different pages. Here he was looking damn pleased with himself, probably thinking he had impressed her. Meanwhile she was more concerned about discovering that Capricorn's house held yet another prisoner.

For some reason Basta had not anticipated this reaction and his smugness crumbled into impatience,

"What are you waiting for? Go pick one."

Dafne took one look at Darius who starring mournfully at his books like a parent about to have one of their children taken away. She knew a fellow book lover when she saw one. The books were the only things in the room that resembled personal belongings.

"I don't like this," she said, turning back to Basta.

"You don't like it," Basta said with rising frustration, "What's not to like? You like books, here are the books!" he stabbed his finger at them.

"I can't just take them when they belong to someone else," Dafne tried to reason.

"Little mouse," Basta said in a low tight voice as though he was struggling to hold back his anger, "I am trying to do something nice for you. Will you just let me do something nice for you?"

Dafne sighed. Maybe it would be easier to just play along.

"Alright, alright," she conceded, "But I want you to wait outside."

Basta pouted like a child, "Why?"

Dafne inclined her head at Darius, "Because you're scaring him."

Basta threw up his hands, "Fine! I don't want to scare p-poor l-little D-d-darius."

He stalked out, leaving the two alone. Darius let out a sigh that sounded like a sob. Dafne went over to him,

"Here sit down."

She helped him over the room's single chair.

"I'm sorry about this," she said.

"Oh it's not your f-fault," Darius said, "B-basta's always scared me you s-see."

"How long have you been here?" Dafne asked.

"Oh it's hard to say," he replied, "It's hard to keep track of time in h-here."

"I can understand that. It feels like I've been a maid here for an eternity."

The two shared a sad smile of understanding.

"At least you have all these books for company," Dafne said.

Darius stroked the cover of the book he was holding.

"Yes, books are my only solace in this place," he said, his stutter seemed less pronounced now. Dafne figured that it was probably induced by panic. Like the kind Basta inspired.

"Can I take a look?" she said.

"Be my guest."

Dafne ran her fingers over the titles. King Solomon's Mines. Treasure Island. The Hobbit. Arabian Nights...

"Great Expectations," she said, picking up the Dickens novel, "I love this one. I must have read most of his..."

"Dafne, what's taking so long?" Basta yelled from outside, startling both of them.

"You can t-take that one if you like," Darius said hurriedly, his stutter creeping backing in.

"Are you sure?" Dafne said.

He nodded shakily.

Dafne clasped the book to her chest,

"I'll take good care of it," she promised.

Darius gave her a faltering smile, "I k-know you will."

"So you got your book," Basta said as she left the room.

"Yes," she replied, holding it out for him to see. Basta squinted at it.

"What's it called?"

"Great Expectations. By Charles Dickens."

That probably sounded like gobbledygook to Basta but he looked satisfied.

"What do we say, little mouse?"

Dafne was so happy to have hold of a book once more that she chose to overlook his patronising tone.

"Thank you."

The guard tittered.

Basta smiled,

"Come on, we're late for dinner."

To be continued...

Che figo = Cool in Italian