Recognition sparked. “Ah. Someone who fancies their appearance and puts on airs?”
“Sort of. Close enough.” Lee grinned. “You’re learning.”
I wasn’t sure why his compliment pleased me, but… it did.
Lee pulled the Jeep into a tight parking space and cut the engine. We stepped onto the sidewalk, and I immediately became overwhelmed by the cacophony of modern life.
Music poured from speakers mounted on buildings. People moved in and out of shops carrying steaming cups and plastic bags filled with items I couldn’t name.
As we strolled, I caught sight of a storefront that made me pause.
Large pictures hung in the window, depicting bodies covered in elaborate symbols.
A man had a dragon coiled down his arm.
A woman, nearly naked, had a snake winding up her thigh, across her hip, and slithering up her spine.
My face burned.
I immediately averted my gaze from this wanton display.
“What is this place?” I muttered.
Lee followed my gaze and chuckled. “That’s a tattoo shop.”
I gave him a blank look.
He gestured at my chest. “It’s where people put symbols on their bodies, like your markings.”
I frowned, confused. “And women get these markings?”
“Yep.”
My brow furrowed further. “Are they slaves to the emperor?”
Lee snorted, laughing so hard he had to clap a hand over his mouth.
I crossed my arms. “I don’t see what’s so funny.”
Lee wheezed, shaking his head. “No, Roman. They get them by choice.”
I stared at him, bewildered.
“…And the snake woman?” I gestured vaguely at the display window, still unable to look directly at it.
“Also by choice,” Lee said, grinning.
I exhaled, my head spinning. This century made no sense.
Lee reached for the door handle of the tattoo shop.
“Where are we going?” I asked, hesitation creeping into my voice.
“This is a combo barber and tattoo parlor.” Lee grinned over his shoulder. “You need to look like a modern man, not an uncivilized warrior.”
He yanked the door open and stepped inside. “You look like a barbarian, Roman.”
I reluctantly followed him?—
