“Drussus’s men. They’ve lined the street. They’re blocking the alleyway beside Kato’s.”
Gaius leaned back in his seat. “Why would Drussus use his centurions?”
“Because praetorians are roaming the city,” said Trajan.
“Looking for me,” I added, fear speeding my pulse.
“It’s not just that.” Trajan stared through the crack out into the street. “Caesar is planning something. He wants everyone at his palace tonight, no one slipping away to avoid his party.”
“Why would patricians avoid a party at Caesar’s palace?” I asked.
Trajan shared a knowing look with his grandfather then told me, “Caesar uses his celebrations to ensure his control over the patricians. He is… diabolical in his methods.”
“If I go there, Quintus will recognize me.”
Trajan scoffed in disgust then growled, “I will never bring you inside that circle of hell.” He then opened the drapes covering a small window facing the front of the litter and spoke low to Horatius’s sons. “Follow everyone else. There is a bend at the curve leading to the palace. Stop there.”
The litter moved on more quickly, falling into line with the many others. Trajan’s expression looked grim.
“Do you think they know about the praetorians?” I asked him.
“What praetorians?” Gaius interrupted.
“The ones I killed this morning,” I answered, my gaze on Trajan.
“If they knew, there would’ve been forced searches of every home on Palatine Hill today. The centurions would be searching every litter. But they’re simply corralling us all up to the palace. He wants us all there for some reason.”
“I suppose we’ll find out soon enough,” said Gaius.
“I don’t think you should go in either.” Trajan’s eyes were bright, the pupils slit with the dragon. Magic hummed and radiated from him. He was on edge.
“If I don’t, it will only draw more attention to you. To us. I must go. But what about Lela?”
Trajan looked at me. “When they stop the litter, Grandfather and I will both get out and pretend to take a piss in the wooded area at the bend. I want you to slip out when I tell you and hide in the woods until I return to get you.”
“I suppose I can’t just stay here in the litter.”
“I don’t want to take the chance,” added Trajan. “The praetorians may detect you.”
“Heightened sense of smell.” I nodded. “That’s what I was thinking.”
Then the litter stopped and was set on the ground. Trajan instantly climbed out of the litter.
“Salve, Tribune!” someone called from not far away. “Too much to drink already?”
“Not enough yet, Leto. Save some wine for me!”
That cackling laughter of Leto’s sent a ghastly chill down my spine. A flash of the piggish patrician lounging on Valerius’s sofa, gorging himself and leering at me in my muzzled state, gripped me hard.
“Stay hidden until we return,” Gaius reminded me, not that I needed it. He gave my forearm a gentle squeeze then climbed out next to Trajan.
Forcing that old fear out of my mind, I crouched at the drapes, poised and ready.
“Now?” I whispered.
Both Trajan and Gaius faced the shadowed woods, hauling up the hems of their togas, pretending to piss. “Not yet,” Trajan whispered back.
The shuffling of feet and haughty laughter of patricians being carried up the hill was all I heard until Trajan hissed,“Now.”
