“Thank you for inviting us, Caesar.” I gave a deferential bow of the head, as did Grandfather beside me.
Igniculus narrowed his attention on me. “I sent my praetorians to your home twice today but your slave said you were out.” His predatory stare didn’t leave me. “I’d have thought she was lying but she took my guards through the entire home. Where have you been all day?”
That must’ve been about the same time he’d sent praetorians to kill Fausta.
“Typical day, really. I met my grandfather at the senate house then went to my favorite brothel. How can I be of service, Caesar?”
He stared from his slit-pupiled, golden eyes, brimming with dragon fire. I didn’t flinch or look away, holding his gaze coolly, delving deep into my Sapphirus magic, keeping my pulse even, my body cool like I did in the depths of the ocean.
All the while I was thanking the gods he hadn’t sent a praetorian after I’d taken Lela to my home. We’d only been at the house two hours before we left again for the palace.
“Does that brothel happen to be the one who hid the slave woman who killed Valerius?” His tone was steady, lethal.
“Caesar, I don’t dabble in those kinds of brothels that keep slave girls. They’re all free women.”
“She likely was passing as a free woman. We suspected her hiding somewhere in the Aventine. Is that where this brothel is you frequent? One of my praetorians, Hektor, saw you with her last night.”
“She certainly didn’t behave like a slave,” I said curiously.
“Women are clever, tricky creatures, Trajan,” he added with thick condescension. “I’d think you’d have figured that out by now.”
“I suppose if I kept one for more than one night, I would, Caesar.”
Caesar stared an eerie moment longer then huffed a laugh, revealing his long, extended canines. His claws were out as well, one clinking against his tankard as he tapped a finger.
“You deny knowing the woman was the same slave I’ve been looking for?”
“Caesar, the prostitute I hired last night was not a runaway slave, to my knowledge. She knew her trade well. I’m happy to take your guard to the brothel and acquire her for you to see if it is her.”
“No need,” he said. “Hektor never saw her leave Fausta’s last night. He’ll have her in the prison by now. But you will give that brothel’s name to him before you leave tonight. He should be along soon.”
Not likely. He was mangled and bloodless on Fausta’s bedchamber floor.
“Of course, Caesar,” I said with all the subservience I could muster.
I realized how fortunate it was he’d gone to Fausta’s home on a celebration day, when Caesar had likely begun drinking at dawn. His inebriation kept his mind dull, which must be why he hadn’t sent out more praetorians in search of Hektor and the others. He’d been killed midday. Caesar’s arrogance helped us as well. For he’d never think that his powerful praetorians would be in danger fromhelplesswomen.
He didn’t knowmywoman. She was anything but helpless.
Something else caught his attention. “Ah, here we are.”
From the entrance, one of his praetorians was escorting Kato through the archway, holding one of his arms while Kato used his cane on the other side.
Immediately, I glanced at Grandfather, who wore a concerning expression, likely the same that I did.
Kato didn’t come to these parties. He was never expected to. As an elder, and the oldest dragon in Rome, he had no use for festivities. He could barely make his appearances to the senate house much less wine and dine with nobility. It was known that he only ever left the house to attend meetings as consul.
Now, the courtyard was all but completely silent, while the musicians played on. Everyone watched as Kato was guided to the foot of the steps to Caesar’s dais.
“I’m so glad you could come, Kato.”
The stooped elder scowled up at the emperor, his voice gruff as he said, “I will obey Caesar in every way I can.”
“That is excellent to hear,” he said, handing his tankard of wine to Drussus next to him then marching down the steps. “I only ask one thing of you tonight, Kato.”
“Anything you require, Caesar.”
Igniculus placed a clawed hand on the elder’s shoulder. “That is good to hear.”
