Page 92 of Of Love and Treason
“Yes. The only God. The Creator, all-powerful, all-knowing—”
“Yes, yes. You’ve already spouted his attributes,” Braccus cut him off. “So what of all our gods?”
“Fables.”
“Fables. All of them? Even the emperor?”
Quintus held his gaze. “Every one.”
Braccus rubbed his chin. “I’ve had a change of heart. I don’t think I will burn this scroll after all.” He smiled faintly as a glimmer of hope rose in Quintus’s chest. “The council will want it as evidence.” He clapped again and this time, instead of the slave, two overbuilt guards entered.
“Quintus Magius, you are under arrest for treason and conspiring against the empire. Take him away.”
The guards did as commanded. Quintus didn’t fight. The calm that had come over him at first remained with him, solid. He pleaded again for God to protect his daughter.
“Take him to the barrack cells to await trial. I need to meet with the council.”
They pulled Quintus toward the door, but Braccus stopped them briefly at the threshold.
“Oh, and when you’re through with him, bring me the girl.” He smiled as the blood drained from Quintus’s head.
“Iwillhave her. Willingly or not.”
XL
THE SCREAM DIED INIRIS’S THROATas Dorma’s wrinkled face came into view through the black spots of fear edging her vision.
“Shhh!” the old woman hissed, holding a bony finger over her lips. “You must be quiet, and you must come with me.”
Iris sucked in a deep breath, willing her pulse to stop racing.
Dorma tugged her farther down the alley. “Come. Come quickly.”
Iris resisted. “I can’t. I have to go home.”
“You have no home,” the woman snapped. “They’ve taken your pater and there’s two guards waiting to take you too.”
The blood left her head in a rush. “They took Pater?”
Dorma pulled Iris along behind her. “Come. You must get away from here. Titus made me swear not to let you enter.”
“Titus has been here?”
Dorma shook her head in disapproval. “You should have seen him, running through the place shouting for you—like a madman. Priscilla won’t lay for a month.”
Her mind raced and her heart began to thrum a wild and uneven rhythm. The tribune had arrested her pater and come after her too. Iris shook her head; she’d thought they had until tomorrow morning. Had Pater misremembered the date? What would she do now?
Dorma hurried her along, keeping to alleyways and shadows.
“Where are you taking me?” Iris finally thought to ask.
“Titus said to bring you to the Baths of Agrippa. It’s crowded,and you can stay in the women’s rooms. He’ll send a slave to find you when he comes.”
Dorma deposited Iris at the entrance of the women’s changing rooms and turned to leave, muttering about having to go comfort her chicken. Iris threw her arms around her before she went.
“Thank you, Dorma.” She fought back tears.
The woman gave a smile that looked more like a grimace and patted her hand. “Be careful, my dear. The tribune is a vile man.”
