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Sliht her attention She looked up Viridiana stood over her, robed si wohtened her spectacles

Kate was taller than this girl She could tear open her throat and drink her blood

No Viridiana was only a quarter of a creature If she attacked, Kate would face the whole woman, the Mother of Tears, the Monster of Ro?&039;

&039;I can only tell the truth,&039; Viridiana replied &039;I cannot explain it Co of a door, Viridiana was gone Inside, in her bower, Santona awaited

&039;Why?&039; she asked again

&039;Cities can die, Katharine Reed from Ireland And this city is my home, my empire Roma rises and falls like the tide, but it is always alive, in turer to the heart and soul of Roma Creatures like you slon the processes of life, still blood in the veins, turn a city brittle In time, too many elder vas which stumble and chew in I Cessati Spiriti I aine, but I have a reflection, a heart, a life All I have done I have done for Roma&039;

&039;The Crimson Executioner is your creature?&039;

An actor, at my direction? Yes&039;

Kate understood this wos of an elder

&039;You&039;re like us,&039; Kate accused &039;You don&039;t let men&039;s minds alone, you make them puppets You demand blood, as we do You demand love and worship&039;

Santona nodded &039;But I can also give, Katharine Can you say as much?&039;

She had loved Charles She did love Marcello

No

She had loved Marcello She did love Charles

Life or death didn&039;t matter

&039;Yes,&039; she said, &039;I can love&039;

Santona considered the state In the end, you all change You have died For you, feelings are a habit you outgrow&039;

&039;That ht to kill us? If we can&039;t love, you can destroy us?&039;

&039;If you couldn&039;t love, would you want to endure?&039;

&039;To endure? That&039;s all there is for you, Mother of Tears You live only to live on&039;

&039;Perhaps&039;

&039;Is it over yet? Are the elders all dead or gone? Are you now unchallenged in your reign over this bloodied ground?&039;

&039;One remains She will be dead by dawn Truly dead&039;

Kate turned to leave the room, the house, the city

Marcello stood in the doorway

&039;Kate,&039; he said, &039;I alasses Tears poured from his eyes

&039;I was a fool,&039; he admitted &039;You are the first woman on the first day of creation You are el, Devil, earth, home I love you entirely I was s&039;

It was overwhel

She slipped into his arms and received kisses A burst of relief flooded her The witch had been wrong Kate Reed could love and be loved That ht to live

Marcello&039;s arainst his chest Her tears were hot and happy

One remains She will be dead by dawn Truly dead

Daet?

&039;Stay with me, my love, my love,&039; Marcello whispered &039;Stay forever, my love&039;

Now, her heart really did die

&039;I can&039;t,&039; she said, pushing him away