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Ismene stepped closer. “I know you.”
“Yes,” I said. “I think we were at school at the same time.”
The tallest of the women said nervously, “We can’t linger here in the hallway. Where is the guard?”
I glanced behind me. “I wanted to talk to you because you are the only Corlivo women I know of here in the city. I’m trying to learn what became of my mother. She left Casa Caligine many years ago, and I want to know where she went.”
The woman with the freckled nose said, “Aren’t you a bit old to need your mother?”
Ismene shot her a look. “I remember you. Your name is Anna. I can sympathize. I wish I could have known my own mother, but she died in childbirth. Or so the matron at Casa Aeris told me.”
“I’m sorry to hear it.” I glanced around. The corridor was still empty.
Ismene gestured to the tall, nervous woman. “This is Nina, and this”—she nodded toward her other companion—“is Cordelia.”
“My mother,” Cordelia said softly, “fell into a jealous rage when she learned I had been chosen by the Imperator. Good riddance, I say.”
We heard raised voices behind us.
“Come on,” Nina said. “We can’t stay here. How should we know where your mother has gone? We must look after ourselves.” She hurried off down the hallway.
Cordelia swept off behind her.
Ismene grabbed my hand. “I might know something that can help you. It’s not much, and it’s a little complicated, but it’s something.” She glanced over her shoulder. “We’re on our own in the palace gardens every morning. They’re not hard to find. Come and see me there.” She ran away after her companions.
As I turned back toward the arena, the guard rushed past me in pursuit of the three women, his heavy boots stomping on the marble floor.
WHEN WE RETURNED home, Sebastianus threw his head covering onto a chair and thumped around the courtyard garden, poking his walking stick indiscriminately at plants and rocks.
Cornelia brought out cups of steeped ginger root and sweet rolls on a heavy tray, ignoring his growl.
“By the gods,” he muttered. “That was risky.”
Don, Cassius, and I watched him pace.
“The race was thrilling, and more importantly, I got what I wanted.” I could still feel a tingle of excitement. We had executed our plan perfectly, and I had actually spoken with the women who lived at the palace. It had all gone just as I had hoped.
Sebastianus swatted at a ficus tree, causing several of its leaves to fly off. “We were lucky.”
“We were careful,” I said.
He sat down heavily in a chair. “And now what?”
I helped Cornelia set the laden tray down on the table. “I will go to see Ismene first thing tomorrow and learn what I can.”
Cassius helped himself to a steaming cup. “You said you know the young lady?”
“I remember her from school. She seemed willing to help me.”
Sebastianus glared gloomily into the garden. “It’s very likely that she will tell Jovinian everything. He may already know that you’re here.”
“Perhaps the young woman is trustworthy,” Cassius said.
“By the gods, nobody is trustworthy.” Sebastianus massaged his temples. “Will it do any good at all to ask you not to go? To forget this entire thing?”
“I can’t forget it, not when she says she has information that will help me.” I dragged a chair over beside him and sat down. The bronzed skin of his shoulder and upper arm stood in stark contrast to the fine, soft linen of his white toga. I reached over and touched his hand gently, and he squeezed his fingers into a tense fist.
“She might not have any information,” he growled. “It’s just as likely that it’s a trap, and Jovinian will be waiting to spring it in his palace garden.”
