Gladiatrix (33 page)

If I couldn't find Lucius my only lead to the Hierophant was to go through with the initiation. I really, really didn't want to have to face that.

I said bleakly, not truly expecting a reply, ‘So is there any way at all I can find Lucius?'

Cerebus and Felix exchanged a grimace. Then Felix said, ‘I'm not sure we can help you.'

It was so just obvious they were keeping something back that my temper started to rise. ‘Felix, I have to find him! Fabius not only tried to kidnap me, I believe he may have kidnapped my mother. I have to find him — to find her!'

Cerebus narrowed his eyes. ‘That's what 'e has of yours, love? Your mum?' It'd hit a button with him. His face suffused with blood, ‘Why didn't you say?'

‘He took your mother?' Felix was also instantly on my side, hackles up.

‘Yes.' Their rage, on my behalf, opened the floodgates. ‘She's been missing for two days now. And Fabius is the only person who could've taken her. She had something he desperately wanted. Something he's already killed for. I don't know if he's kept her alive, but my only chance is to find her soon.'

Cerebus and Felix exchanged another significant look. Cerebus nodded once to Felix, then spun on his heel to head back to the office.

Felix said, ‘We'll help you, but it won't be easy. And I can't guarantee anything.'

I grabbed at the chance. ‘Felix, I can give you money … anything. But I have to find Lucius!'

Felix mused, ‘Well if he hasn't left Rome yet, then there's a chance that Lucius could be hiding in one of the local Mythras caves.'

Ah, the Mythras cult. That figured. Practised by warriors. Mainly soldiers and gladiators ‘Where are they?'

‘I can't tell you that!' Even knowing my story he was outraged. ‘The caves are sacred places and their locations are secret.'

‘So are you …?'

‘My father was a member. So I might be able to find out something through his network of old army buddies. But I can't make any guarantees.'

‘I want to be there when you ask them,' I insisted. Felix could ask the wrong questions … Not try hard enough …

‘No.' Felix shook his head decisively. ‘Under no circumstances — it's men only.'

I looked across at Alex. ‘What about …?'

Felix followed my eyes and pre-empted my next request. ‘And they don't trust strangers either. That's why Lucius will hide there.' He shrugged. ‘If you want my help, then you'll just have to be patient.'

‘Okay.' At least this was something. Another chance. ‘When will you find out if Lucius is there?'

‘They don't meet again until after dark — so I'll give you an answer tonight. But remember I can't guarantee anything. He might not be there. They may refuse to tell me …'

‘Sure. Sure. Just do your best. Where should we meet?'

Felix was confused. ‘Aren't you going to be at the Crassus feast tonight?'

The bloody feast! I'd forgotten about it. Damn! More complications!

I had to perform, so that I could impress this Plautius Sulla guy. So that Domitia would lend me to Augustus. So that I could go through the initiation that I was trying so desperately to avoid.

But why would Felix be there? ‘Domitia Crassus invited you? I thought it was going to be a stuffy society gathering?'

‘I don't know about it being stuffy. But Domitia wants to impress Plautius Sulla.' He gave me a shark-like smile. ‘Don't you know it's cutting edge to have famous gladiators as guests?'

Alex snorted at that. ‘Cutting edge — your pimply left buttock.'

Felix just gave him a knowing grin. ‘Jealous, my son?'

As they exchanged an escalating series of insults, I turned away. What if I couldn't find Lucius at all? Everything seemed to be pulling me towards the initiation. There were more loose ends now, and none of them were guaranteed to end in finding Victoria. How long would Fabius keep her alive? I didn't even know if Victoria was still alive. Was my presence keeping this version of reality going?

Then I realised they were both watching me with concern. ‘Thanks for doing this, Felix,' I said. ‘Please try to find Lucius. If you need any money … Or I can doing anything … Just send word.'

‘No money needed.' Felix was serious now. ‘Punishing Lucius deserves a reward. Believe me, I'll do everything I can.'

And that was that.

 

Andromache's brother was seated behind his office desk and, judging from the frown lines firmly indented in his forehead, he was not about to give me good news. Alex was over at Victoria's apartment, checking for any sign of her. Or the NTA. We were to meet there after I got through here.

I'd decided to trust Valerius. Or at least keep on with our business relationship anyway. I didn't really have much choice. But I wasn't going to mention that I knew who he was, or what he was up to.

Yet.

Instead I said, ‘I was ambushed last night by the Hierophant.'

Saying it like that made it sound like the positive leap forward I'd originally thought it was. If I could rouse Valerius to get on his trail it could turn out to be a good day after all.

He didn't react.

I continued in a rush, ‘By a gang of men he hired.'

Valerius didn't even look surprised, which was a worry.

‘The man that ransacked Victoria's apartment. The one I told you about? With dark brown hair and a freshly broken nose? He's called Fabius. And Lucius, the gladiator I fought yesterday, knows him.'

Valerius didn't even seem to be listening.

I tried once more. ‘Look, Valerius, the problem is I've just come from Cerebus, and now Lucius has gone missing as well. I need you to get your men out and looking. I need you to find them both. Lucius and Fabius. Or Fabius at least.'

Everything I'd said had bounced off Valerius, like a tennis ball off a brick wall. ‘What's wrong?'

‘I'm afraid I've got very bad news.'

My mind leapt into excruciatingly creative motion. He'd found her body … She was dead … ‘Victoria?'

‘No. No.' He relaxed his face into an apology, ‘Not that. I'm afraid I have no news for you about your mother.' Then added the afterthought, ‘Or about the Egyptian translator, as yet.'

‘Nothing at all? Why not?' I wasn't an optimistic fool, but he'd better have come up with something to tell me. ‘What about all the men you said were …'

‘I'm afraid that the situation has changed.' His tone was odd, stilted, ‘Completely.' Then I picked it. He was
scared. ‘Someone new. Someone other than the Hierophant, is now looking for that dagger.'

‘Who?'

He shook his head. ‘I don't know exactly who yet, but the Praetorians were asking about the dagger in the Forum today. And if they knew I was interested in it too they'd come down here and chop off the rest of my fingers and toes until I told them everything.'

‘Is there any chance that Fabius could be behind their search for the dagger?'

‘You mean the Hierophant?' He'd been listening after all.

I nodded.

‘No, absolutely not,' stated Valerius. ‘If this interest in the dagger doesn't come from Augustus himself, then it's coming from someone with a huge amount of influence at court.'

I was confused. ‘But if you don't know who Fabius really is, how do you know it wasn't him?'

Valerius said, with open contempt, ‘Everything points to the dagger being designed for use in human sacrifice. So do you really think this Fabius would petition Augustus to send out his Praetorians to look for it?'

Put like that. ‘All right. Point taken. So what does this mean?'

‘We keep looking for your mother. And add Fabius and Lucius to the roster. But no more searching for the man who made the dagger. Anything to do with the dagger is out.' He muttered to himself, ‘I just hope the Praetorians don't try any of the people we've talked to so far.'

Why the hell were the Praetorians looking for the dagger? A whole new can of worms was yielding its slimy contents.

Praetorians? They really gave me the jitters. There were nine thousand of them in this city. Too many if they were all looking for the same thing.

My mind raced …

I had to refocus on finding Fabius.

‘Okay, Valerius, Fabius is after the dagger, so instead, we use it to lure him out into the open …'

‘I'm not using that thing,' his voice shook, ‘to do anything of the sort.'

‘Give me the dagger then.' Valerius may have lost his nerve, but I hadn't. ‘I could use it to bargain with him. Victoria, for the dagger.'

Valerius' face fell. ‘What? Give him back the dagger?'

‘You heard me, Valerius.' He didn't want to lose the proof. His negotiating chip with Domitia. ‘Give it to me.'

He searched for a reply that would put me off.

I held out my hand.

‘No.' The reply was final. He was determined to use the dagger to blackmail the Hierophant and, through him, Domitia.

I considered him for a moment, then pulled Andromache's letter from under my cloak and laid it on the desk.

He looked down at it quizzically, then back at me. ‘What's that?'

I waited.

He picked the letter up and turned it over. The imprint on the seal turned his face to stone. It was a crest. A sword crossed with an arrow, on a shield.

Without taking his eyes off the seal, he reached under his desk and brought up the Isis dagger. Its razor-sharp blade glinted in the softened rays of late afternoon.

I took it and left him staring down at the letter, too afraid to open it.

‘So let me get this straight,' Alex said, in a deceptively mild voice. ‘You're seriously considering going through with the initiation tomorrow. Even though Fabius hired a gang to abduct you?'

‘I've already told you I am!'

I was equally furious that he was prodding at my decision, sharp stick and all. It could fall apart at any moment, and I couldn't afford that.

I was trying not to panic. Alex was keen to make me do the opposite.

‘Unless Felix can find Lucius before then. So. Tonight we have to find a way to convince Plautius to accept my contract.'

We were in Victoria's apartment. I wanted to check whether Victoria or the rescue mission had been here. But nothing had been moved, my note was in exactly the same place. I stared at the damned thing still lying on the floor like a dead fish.

What the hell was going on? Victoria was missing. I was missing. When was the NTA going to fucking get here?

It had to be the portal. It must still be held by the
Isiacs. That could be the only reason Rous and Scolette weren't here with help.

Alex followed me into the bedroom. The bags of money were still there. Again, nothing had been moved.

‘If everything goes badly wrong tomorrow, Alex, you have the passwords, so you can come here and take the gold. There's enough money here to get you safely out of Rome and well beyond.' I stopped. ‘We should talk about what you can do. Where you can go. Have you got any ideas?'

He completely dismissed that to snarl, ‘And now Valerius tells you that someone even more dangerous than Fabius is after the same dagger you're carrying around in that weird bag?' I could almost see the sparks issuing off him.

‘Yep,' I said lightly. Well, as lightly as clenched teeth would let me. I wasn't getting pulled into this drama. If I had to go through with the initiation, there was no point in wallowing in fear.

Alex stepped in front of me. ‘Kannon.' He spoke in a less confronting voice. Appealing to me. ‘You have to start protecting yourself.'

The change in tactic made me want to burst into flames. This was the last thing I needed!

‘Don't you understand?' I was tired and desperate and starting to lose hope. ‘I can't stop looking for Victoria! I'm the only one who can. The NTA rescue mission hasn't turned up, so they mustn't be able to use the portal yet. Who else can get to her? Would you leave someone in Fabius' tender care if you had the choice?'

Alex's face hardened. ‘This is suicide, Kannon. Pointless suicide!'

I wanted to hit him. To shut him up. He kept on, grabbing my shoulders to keep his face in mine. ‘You've got to face it, Kannon. Victoria is probably dead.'

I flinched. ‘Don't say that!'

‘Why would Fabius keep her alive?' He kept leaning in, getting into my body space. ‘Why?'

I shoved him back, rage on full throttle. Nothing like having your worst fears presented to you as good advice. ‘Stop it! I can't think that! What if she's alive, and I find out later that I gave up too soon? What if she needs me now?'

‘Do you honestly think I'm going to stand by and watch you walk into a trap.' It was not a question.

I turned my back. ‘Fuck off, Alex. You don't get to tell me what to do.'

 

The Crassus mansion was in an uproar, slaves running every which way, making last-minute adjustments for the feast. The front garden was lit by a golden haze of torches, and an archway of heavily scented blue flowers completely covered the path from the gate to the front doors.

Horace was standing on the front steps giving detailed instructions to one of the gardeners. They'd used the wrong flowers for the covered walkway, and Domitia was not happy. The kind used produced hives in someone important.

As soon as we came level with Horace, he sent the gardener away, saying that Domitia wanted to see me. He told Alex to go and find Philemon. Alex left without a backward glance, while I followed Horace upstairs.

Alex had fumed at me all the way back. When he wouldn't shut up, I told him I'd free him tomorrow, and then he'd have to leave the Crassus house immediately. He growled at me. Actually growled.

Bloody men. Bloody hell.

Horace led me into Domitia's dressing room — all
white marble with glass and gold fixtures. She was seated in a loose robe, while four maids worked on her. Work was the operative word. She should have had scaffolding up.

Two of the maids were busy applying the final coat of white paste to her neck. Her face and shoulders were already covered. I changed my mind about the scaffolding. She really looked like she was being battered, prior to frying.

Domitia spoke, but her mouth didn't move much, ‘Well, you've been busy.'

I didn't think she was angry, as much as avoiding smudging the paint job.

The two maids painting stopped mid-stroke to exchange a sly glance over her head. The attendants engaged in painting her toenails just giggled. Domitia hissed at the interruption, and they quickly resumed their duties.

Given that her words were not accompanied by any normal facial expression, it wasn't actually clear what she was talking about. Or how she was feeling. So I said cautiously, ‘I spent the day at the Ludi, if that's what you mean?'

She snorted in disgust. ‘I'm talking about the graffiti all over the Forum.'

‘You mean the mural Gaius had put up yesterday?'

‘No, I mean the graffiti someone else put up. Describing you in a threesome with Alexander and a snake dancer at The Bird last night! Gaius was pleased, but I'm not so sure.'

New graffiti? No wonder the guards in the gatehouse had been so friendly. Did she mean Venus? ‘She wasn't a snake dancer, she used feathers.'

‘Feathers? Oh, well that's much better.'

I knew sarcasm when I heard it.

She checked her face in a large mirror held up by one of the maids, and touched the skin with the tips of her fingers. They came away dry. She smiled into the mirror, as if to test the flexibility of the coating. Nothing cracked.

I don't know why she bothered, smiling was not her most used expression. Behind her, the other maid arranged her implements ready to work on highlighting Domitia's facial features.

Before the maid could start work again Domitia halted her with a raised hand. ‘I heard four different versions of your adventures by noon.'

Domitia paused to check that her wrinkles had been sufficiently filled in. When she was satisfied she said, ‘The second version I heard was that you started a riot. Somewhere in there was a mention of two murders. Does any of this sound familiar?'

‘I had nothing to do with the murders.'

‘Something happened. Your clothes had to be burned, and the bathhouse scrubbed.' That was said in an acid tongue, but with no threats or abuse.

Hmm? Except for the one outburst with Andromache, Alex was right, Domitia was holding back with me. Trying to keep me happy. Which made me uneasy.

‘There was a riot at The Bird. I didn't start it. And the only way out was via the sewer.'

‘Sewer?' She sighed, and leant back in her chair. ‘And I thought you would spend all your time training. Now you make me feel like someone's grandmother.'

It was clear that this was not a role she appreciated.

‘Oh, I suppose it's turned out well enough,' she complained. ‘I've been inundated with requests for extra invitations all afternoon. Half of Rome will be here tonight.'

‘Then things have turned out well?'

She ignored my question. ‘Philemon said you and Alexander have been practising. You're ready, aren't you?' No mistaking it. Immobile face, or not, that last question was said with a steely gaze.

I nodded. Trying to look completely confident.

‘Philemon will be along soon to help you get ready. Wait for him in your room.' I was dismissed.

‘And remember this had better be good,' she snapped.

The courtyard outside the villa was empty, but not peaceful. Wonder how Augustus felt about such noisy neighbours?

The feast had started about an hour ago. And from the caterwauling, the warm-up act, a troupe of Nubian dancing girls, was both enthusiastically appreciated and responding in kind. According to Horace, Augustus had been invited, but refused. Wise choice from where I was sitting.

Horace had given me two piled plates of food, advising me to eat before the performance. I put one on the seat next to the fountain, sat, and started on the other. Alex hadn't reappeared as yet.

My neck was really stiff, so I rolled it around from side to side. But the tension wasn't muscular. The situation was just getting worse. Nothing was going to plan, and everything I did just seemed to complicate things.

Footsteps sounded on the path. Unfortunately, it was Gaius, and from the smug look spread across his supercilious face Domitia was right — he was definitely pleased with the graffiti. Gaius plonked himself right next to me and yawned, sending a heavy cloud of wine and garlic fumes straight into my face.

He was drunk already? A bit early to start celebrating. That seemed pretty optimistic considering Plautius had
yet to approve. And if his decision was to be based on my performance as Psyche, then things were probably about to unravel completely for everyone.

‘Beautiful night, isn't?' He gazed straight into my eyes as he said it. Well, as straight as he could focus anyway.

I gave him a cautious glance, while I piled some tidbits on top of a piece of bread. I was starving and, garlic fumes or not, I was eating while I could.

He smiled, then leant closer. ‘Don't you think it's a beautiful night?'

I snorted. ‘Don't believe your own publicity, Gaius. I'm here for business purposes only.' So much for polite conversation. It was beyond me at the moment.

The olives looked good, so I pushed some under the cheese. I looked back at the plate — what else could I pile on?

‘And a very attractive way of doing business too.'

With any luck Philemon would arrive before I had to punch out Gaius. I rubbed my forehead in frustration. How on earth was I going to play Psyche in a way that would impress Plautius?

Gaius ploughed on, dragging his side of the conversation with him. ‘I've been thinking. Maybe we could become better … friends.'

I had my mouth full, so didn't bother to reply.

Gaius snapped his head up to look over at the archway. He barked, ‘Get out of here. Now!'

Alex was standing there. He completely ignored Gaius, pretending to wait for my instruction. And he was still fuming.

I swallowed the food in an uncomfortable gulp, and jumped to my feet. Alex was already on full boil, so this could get out of hand. ‘Gaius, you'd better leave now, we have to get ready.'

Unfortunately Gaius wasn't giving up that easily. He rose to his unsteady feet, moving closer as he did so. I squashed the impulse to head butt him.

He drawled in my ear, ‘Good luck tonight, gladiatrix — but I know you won't need it.' Then he glared at Alex, as he stalked through the archway.

Philemon, coming in at the head of a train of four slaves, took a shrewd look at Gaius, then Alex. ‘Well, I can see we have started warming up for the performance already. Good!'

Alex narrowed his eyes.

Stuff this little drama. I picked up my multilayered sandwich, and took a huge bite.

‘No, no! You don't have time for food,' said Philemon, fluttering his hands. ‘You're on in half an hour. We have to get you two dressed!' He sent the servants through to my room and waited at the doorway impatiently.

Damn. My stomach rumbled as I dropped the rest of the sandwich back onto the plate.

Alex gave me a final caustic glare, then followed Philemon into the house.

Great! It was going to be downhill from here — for all of us. I temporarily surrendered to my fate and followed them inside.

There were costumes spread everywhere, and a slave stood ready with a tray full of jars of cosmetics. Another held a tray containing several wine flasks, and two large goblets full of wine. Philemon handed us one each. ‘This will help you relax. Drink.'

Alex emptied his as though it was a shot glass, and slapped the goblet back down on the tray. Philemon was surprised. I was not.

This was going to be a long night, so I emptied mine as well. It was very strong, not mixed with much
water at all. Philemon filled them up again, and refused to start until we'd finished them. We did. I suppose if I had to make a complete fool of myself in public, I may as well be anaesthetised.

‘Now,' said Philemon. ‘We do the first costume change here. The next two will be done backstage.' He pointed into the next room. ‘Alexander, go in there with Creon.' He indicated the short, balding slave on his left. ‘He and Manus will get you ready.' As they left, Philemon turned back to me. ‘Let us begin.'

Philemon and his two assistants spent the next twenty minutes trying to turn me into some version of Psyche. When they started applying the make-up, I refused the white paste, so they just put on pink lip cream and blush, and outlined my eyes with kohl.

The gown was a soft, thin material. And pink. Psyche was supposed to be a real girls' girl. But then there were some adult modifications. The neck hung low, and the whole thing clung to my body except when I moved, then it swished softly.

I was wearing a straight, black wig that came down to my hips, and was cut in a fringe just above my eyes. It completely altered the shape of my face, making my features smaller and younger. Lastly, Philemon squirted me with a rose perfume.

For the first time in my life I looked like a doll.

‘Oh.' Philemon stood back, hands clasped. ‘My dear, you are luscious. With those big black eyes and the lovely curves, they won't care what you say or do tonight. You can't go wrong.'

I had a very strong feeling he was going to be surprised.

Alex appeared at the door in full costume. The phrase ‘on heat' sprang to mind. And he seemed to be enjoying the look on my face.