“The promise given was necessity of the past: the word borken is a necessity of the present" -Niccolo Machiavelli”

“Who was it who said, 'The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present'?"The Italian looked quickly at the American immortal and then he dipped his head in a bow. "I do believe I said that once...a long, long time ago.""You also wrote that a prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise," Billy said with a grin."Yes, I did say that.You're full of surprises, Billy."Billy looked from the city to the Italian. "So what do you see-faceless masses or individuals?""Individuals," Machiavelli whispered."Reason enough to break your promise to your Elder master and a bird-tailed monster?"Machiavelli nodded. "Reason enough," he said."I knew you were going to say that." The American immortal reached out and squeezed the Italian's arm. "You're a good man, Niccolo Machiavelli.""I don't think so. Right now, my thoughts make me waerloga-an oath breaker.A warlock.""Warlock." Billy the Kid tilted his head. "I like it. Got a nice ring to it. I'm thinking I might become a warlock too.”

“I need something dramatic.I thought we would start with something theatrical, something that will make an impact on the city,something to focus their attention."Nereus considered for a moment and then he smiled, revealing his hideous teeth. "I do have the Lotan."Machiavelli and Billy looked at him blankly. "The Lotan," Nereus said. The two immortals shook their heads. "I have no idea what that is," Machiavelli admitted."Doesn't sound scary to me," Billy said."It's a seven-headed sea dragon."Machiavelli nodded. "That might work.""It'll certainly get their attention," Billy muttered.”

“Niccolo Machiavelli folded his arms across his chest and looked at the alchemyst. “I always knew we would meet again,” he said in French. “Though I never imagined it would be in these circumstances,” he added with a smile. “I was certain I’d get you in Paris last Saturday.” He bowed, an old-fashioned courtly gesture as Perenelle joined her husband. “Mistress Perenelle, it seems we are forever destined to meet on islands.”“The last time we met you had poisoned my husband and attempted to kill me,” Perenelle reminded him, speaking in Italian.Over three thousand years previously, the Sorceress and the Italian had fought at the foot of Mount Etna in Sicily. Although Perenelle had defeated Machiavelli, the energies they unleashed caused the ancient volcano to erupt. Lava flowed for five weeks after the battle and destroyed ten villages.“Forgive me. I was younger then, and foolish. And you emerged the victor of the encounter. I carry the scars to this day.”“Let us try and not blow up this island,” she said with a smile. Then she stretched out her hand. “I saw you try to save me earlier. There is no longer any enmity between us.”Machiavelli took her fingers in his and bent over them. “Thank you. That pleases me.”

“Have you any idea how to wake a hibernating Elder?”Machiavelli shook his head.“Mars, what about you? Any advice?”“Yes. Don’t.”

“Was this how you were going to awaken the creatures?"Machiavelli,clutching the bars of his cell,smiled but said nothing.Virginia stood in front of Dee and stared into his eyes,using herwill to calm him down. "So you tried to use the pages to awaken the cratures.Tell me what happened."Dee jabbed a finger into the nearest cell. It was empty. Virginia stepped closer and discovered the pile of white dust in the corner."I don't even know what was in the cell-some winged monstrosity.Giant vampire bat,I think.I said the words,and the creature opened its eyes and immediately crumbled to dust.""Maybe you said a word wrong?" Virginia suggested. She plucked a scrap of paper from Josh's hands. "I mean,it looks difficult.""I am fluent," Dee snapped."He is," Machiavelli said, "I will give him that.And his accent is very good too, though not quite as good as mine."Dee spun back to the cell holding Machiavelli. "Tell me what went wrong."Machiavelli seemed to be considering it; then he shook his head. "I don't think so."Dee jerked his thumb at the sphinx. "Right now she's absorbing your aura,ensuring that you cannot use any spells against me. But she'll be just as happy eating your flesh.Isn't that true?"he said, looking up into the crature's female face."Oh,I love Italian," she rumbled. She stepped away from Dee and dipped her head to look into the opposite cell. "Give me this one," she said,nodding at Billy the Kid. "He'll make a tasty snack." Her long black forked tongue flickered in the air before the outlaw, who immediately grabbed it,jerked it forward and allowed it to snap back like an elastic band. She screamed,coughed, and squawked all at the same time.Billy grinned."I'll make sure I'll choke you on the way down.""It might be difficult to do that if you have no arms," the sphinx said thickly,working her tongue back and forth."I'll still give you indigestion."Dee looked at Machiavelli. "Tell me," he said again, "or I will feed your young American friend to the beast.""Tell him nothing," Billy yelled."This is one of those occasions when I am in agreement with Billy.I am going to tell you nothing."The Magician looked from one side of the cell to the other. Then he looked at Machiavelli."What happened to you? You were one of the Dark Elders' finest agents in this Shadowrealm. There were times you even made me look like an amateur.""John,you were always an amateur." Machiavelli smiled."Why, look at the mess you're in now.”

“Niccolo Machiaveli stood apart from the rest of the crowd, arms lightly folded across his chest, careful not to wrinkle his Saile Row- tailored black silk tuxedo. Stone gray eyes swept over the other bidders, analyzing and assessing them.”