Page 48 of Of Love and Treason
“Come out of the latrine,” a thin, high voice, heavy with phlegm, chided him. “What a strange guest you are to come bumbling into my home, making such a mess.”
Valens pulled away from breath that smelled of wet dog and old pork. “I am not here by choice.”
The voice cackled. “No one ever is. I am Hades, lord of the underworld. What have you done?”
Insane. The other prisoner was insane, Valens realized, but the knowledge did not calm his pounding heart. “I’m Valentine.” He willed his voice to steady. “I’m a Christian.”
Hades laid a sympathetic hand on Valens’s shoulder, but his words made his blood chill. “Ah, then the executioner will be coming for you soon. But if you prefer, I can end you now with far less pain.”
XIX
BEATRIX HAD BEEN UP FRONTfor a long time. Iris heard her talking to Paulina, voice quiet one moment, then rising with worry. Iris paused, hands in soapy water, listening as Beatrix’s voice wavered in the front room.
“I’ve been to the Urban Guardhouse and they won’t do anything until he’s been missing for three days. They say they don’t have him.” Tears streaked Beatrix’s voice.
Iris dried her hands and moved toward the doorway; Paulina said something too low for her to hear.
“I’m so worried!” Beatrix swallowed. “Val never made it to the perfumery—my box was still there.”
“Have you checked with the Vigiles?” Paulina’s voice soothed and carried a note of confusion.
“Yes.” Beatrix’s voice dropped, as if sapped of strength. “I don’t know what else to do. If the Urbans won’t look, I don’t know who else to go to.”
Another step brought Iris into the doorway and view of the two women, who stopped talking when they noticed her.
“Iris.” Beatrix’s voice held something like relief. “My nephew Valens went missing the night before last.”
Iris’s mouth went dry. Valentine was gone? Her heart dropped. “My father may be able to help.”
Beatrix made a snuffling snort. “He’s the jailor, correct?” Her voice held a note of wavering hope.
The bell above the door jingled as two chattering girls entered.
“Go on,” Paulina urged. “I’ll be fine.” She moved to help the girls.
Iris nodded and lifted her shoulders. “Pater may have a suggestion for where you can look next. Or perhaps he can persuade the Urbans or Vigiles to search for him. I’ll get my palla and we’ll go now.”
“You would do that?”
She smiled. “Of course. It’s the least I can do. You closed your entire shop for me.”
“Here you are. Two cheese pastries.” Paulina’s voice swiveled toward the girls, who stopped chattering to count small coins onto the counter in a series of clicks. Iris ducked into the back and exchanged her apron for her palla and cane, meeting Beatrix by the front door.
“Thank you.” Beatrix sighed as they set off down the Via Biberatica.
“I hope Pater can help.”
The sun warmed Iris’s shoulders as the air washed crisp and cool over her face. Beatrix was oddly quiet as they walked. Iris wasn’t sure what to say to her, or if she should say anything. What did one say to comfort someone whose loved one had disappeared? Before Iris figured out the answer, they were walking up the carcer steps.
Hobnailed boots descended toward them.
“The gods are smiling on me today.”
Iris’s knees went liquid at the sound of Tribune Braccus’s voice and her fingers tightened around the cane. Beside her, Beatrix flinched and Iris realized she’d squeezed her arm with the same ferocity. She loosened her grip on Beatrix but said nothing as the tribune moved in front of them, forcing them to stop.
“Lovely to see you again, my dear.” He spoke in a tender tone that froze the blood in her veins. The breeze brushed her palla against her cheek and Iris reared back, recalling his touch. She stayed on her feet only by Beatrix’s grip. Her pulse pounded in her temples.
The tribune chuckled, his boots moving around them. “I can hardly wait until next time.” He cooed the words in her ear.
