~ { Shadow and Beauty } ~

Raphael's Tomb

{Leo}

Leo wished he wasn't so good.

   Really, sometimes it was just embarrassing. If he hadn't had such an eye for mechanical stuff, they might never have found the secret chute, gotten lost in the underground, and been attacked by metal dudes. But he just couldn't help himself.

   Part of it was Hazel's fault. For a girl with super underground senses, she wasn't much good in Rome. She kept leading them around and around the city, getting dizzy, and doubling back.

   "Sorry," she said. "It's just... there's so much underground here, so many layers, it's overwhelming. Like standing in the middle of an orchestra and trying to concentrate on a single instrument. I'm going deaf."

   Kiara put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "It's fine, Hazel. At least we can see around a bit."

   As a result, Kiara's wish was granted. They got a tour of Rome. Frank seemed happy to plod along like a big sheepdog (hmm, Leo wondered if he could turn into one of those, or even better: a horse that Leo could ride). But Leo started to get impatient. His feet were sore, the day was sunny and hot, and the streets were choked with tourists.

   The Forum was okay, but it was mostly ruins overgrown with bushes and trees. It took a lot of imagination to see it as the bustling center of Ancient Rome. Leo could only manage it because he'd seen New Rome in California.

   They passed big churches, freestanding arches, clothing stores, and fast-food restaurants. One statue of some Ancient Roman dude seemed to be pointing to a nearby McDonald's. On the wider streets, the car traffic was absolutely nuts—man, Leo thought people in Houston drove crazy—but they spent most of their time weaving through small alleys, coming across fountains and little cafés where Leo was not allowed to rest.

   "I never thought I'd get to see Rome," Hazel said. "When I was alive, I mean the first time, Mussolini was in charge. We were at war."

   "Mussolini?" Leo frowned. "Wasn't he like BFFs with Hitler?"

   Hazel stared at him like he was an alien. "BFFs?"

   "Best friends," Kiara translated.

   "Oh," Hazel said. "Well, I'd love to see the Trevi Fountain."

   "There's a fountain on every block," Leo grumbled.

   "Or the Spanish Steps," Hazel continued.

   "Why would you come to Italy to see Spanish steps?" Leo asked. "That's like going to China for Mexican food, isn't it?"

   "You know what I think, Leo?" Kiara said.

   "What?"

   "I think you should shut up for once."

   "You two are hopeless," Hazel complained.

   "So I've been told." Leo grinned.

   Hazel turned to Frank and grabbed his hand, as if Leo had ceased to exist. "Come on. I think we should go this way."

   Frank gave Leo a confused smile—like he couldn't decide whether to gloat or to thank Leo for being a doofus—but he cheerfully let Hazel drag him along.

After walking forever, Hazel stopped in front of a church. At least, Leo assumed it was a church. The main section had a big domed roof. The entrance had a triangular roof, typical Roman columns, and an inscription across the top: M. AGRIPPA something or other.

   "Latin for Get a grip?" Leo speculated.

   Kiara groaned. "What are we going to do with you?"