Chapter 44: Prologue

PART TWO: The Bridge Across Times

Firenze, Italia. Galleria degli Uffizi.

The echo of the security guard's footsteps slowly faded toward the distant museum exit.

Silence.

Silence echoed along the austere arcades on the first floor. Sunset filtered through the ancient windows, the sun rays interrupted in their paths by massive walls. Golden light ricocheted and dispersed off myriads of dancing dust motes. At the end of the high-windowed Galleria, the heartbeat began to pound within the chilled white marble of Michelangelo's Davide. Life's essence stirred through his perfectly chiseled body until strength and heat gave him the power to move. He slipped from his pedestal and headed toward Venere in Botticelli's room.

Davide's shadow glided undisturbed amongst dozing masterpieces. On the upper level, beneath gilded ceilings, silence reigned.