Page 109 of Firebird
“I know. Which is why when we do the deed, we’ll have to keep Ciprian’s death a secret for at least a day.”
“I know plebs in the city who are loyal to me, one in particular,” added Trajan thoughtfully. “We can have the ‘accident’ take place nearher shop and hide the body there until the next day.” Trajan eyed me. “You won’t have time to linger with her. You’ll have to return immediately.”
I smiled for the first time since she’d been taken from my home. “Don’t worry.” I squeezed him on the shoulder. “If I can get her safely out of Rome, I will happily return to kill my uncle.”
The night droned on with a little wine and food and more debate. We finally decided on the street fight run amok to do Ciprian in. Horatius said his two sons would gladly do the deed, while Agrippa’s would be sure to get him at the right place at the right time. Horatio’s sons would dress like plebs and blend into the crowd and take care of it quickly.
We knew Ciprian’s route to the training yards every day, so we’d find the most secluded spot along the way. As long as Agrippa’s son got him there when we needed him, it would work. And we’d do it in three days’ time.
“Thank you,” I said to them all before we began to break apart and ready ourselves to return to Rome.
“I’ll return to the city tomorrow,” Trajan told me on the terrace before I left. “Grandfather wants me to help solidify the details.”
“Of course. I’ll see you back in Rome.”
I bid farewell to my fellow allies before I shifted on the lower terrace, then flew home. All of us planned to leave at staggered times to make it back to the city of Rome under the cover of night separately.
It wasn’t uncommon for a dragon to fly out of his home at night in defiance of Igniculus’s laws that no one but military men could shift inside the city. Sometimes, a dragon merely wanted out of the man, to soar the night skies. One would be overlooked. But a dozen of us flying back at the same time would certainly be noticed. As it was, we’d all planned ahead and would land and shift outside the city and make our way back on foot or horse.
My flight wasn’t a relief as it usually was. Flying was often a soothing balm to my senses and my troubled spirit, but not tonight. By the time I landed in the field, found Volkan tied to the tree where I’d left him in the shadows, and returned home, I was more restless than ever.
My mind wouldn’t stop repeating the horrific things that might be taking place back in Ciprian’s home. But I promised Malina I would trust her, that she could take care of herself. It was only that I knew him for the true monster he was. He also wasn’t an idiot. I worried that he might catch on to her.
When I trotted into the stable yard, Ivo was there and took Volkan for me.
“Thank you, Ivo.”
I stalked through the quiet house and made my way to my bedroom. Without washing the dirt off my skin, I fell into my bed and groaned with deep grief. Her scent. It was everywhere from the night before.
The memory tortured me into a fitful sleep. Her silken skin, her soft mouth, her drugging scent, and sweet affection drowned me in agonizing ecstasy as I cried out her name over and over again. But she never answered.
XXXII
MALINA
“Mina…”
I awoke with a start, sweating through my tunic to the sheets. In that ethereal space between asleep and awake, I swear I heard my bunica whispering.
Heart pounding, I stared around the room, half expecting to see her standing in the doorway. But then nothing, only the faint feeling of dread, of foreboding.
Shoving off the covers, I hurried to the water basin and splashed water on my face.
“Are you all right?” asked Rhea, blinking her eyes sleepily.
The one consolation for the open doorway in a windowless room was that morning light filtered in and lit the room well enough to see.
“Rhea, would it be possible to visit a temple today? I know we’ll have chores, but does Ciprian allow us to go out?”
She sat up, tucking her fine blond hair behind her ear. “It’s market day so Cook will send us to fetch fruit and vegetables. I’m sure I can get Doro to let us.” She shrugged. “He likes me.”
I didn’t know which one Doro was, but I trusted Rhea. Out of desperation, I had to trust someone.
“Which temple do you need to visit?” she asked.
My entire body trembled with the need and the knowing. “Minerva.”
Her brows lifted as she stood from the bed and remade the covers neatly. “Minerva is a powerful goddess. What favor do you need of her?”
