Nothing else to do. Loren ran.
Pompeii’s layout lived in his heart, her centuries-old layers familiar as childhood stories. Alleyways, alcoves, dead ends, hidden doors. The brothel wasn’t far. Only a few blocks west and down. He raced over uneven bricks and stones, arms flailing to stay steady. He would make it. He’d—
When Loren tripped, he sprawled like a rag doll.
Hot pain exploded from his ankle. He landed hard, hands shooting out to brace the fall, but the impact bent his wrists so far back they nearly snapped. Knees and palms scraped raw, he pushed to a half-sit, stifling a cry.
If Felix had been there, he would’ve sworn on Loren’s behalf. But he wasn’t there. It was just Loren on a quiet street, ankle screaming, as languid footsteps neared.
‘Look at that, Gus,’ said Ax. ‘Didn’t need to buy him wine after all.’
The other man, Gus, snorted.
Shivering, Loren drew his limbs close. ‘My friend saw you chase me. He went for the guards. They’re on their way now.’
Ax crouched and tugged Loren’s braid. ‘Your friend who left?’
Loren kneed him where it hurt.
‘Shit,’ Ax wheezed, staggering back. ‘You’ll regret that. Gus, lift him.’
‘Touch him, and I’ll run you through,’ said a girl.
Loren’s racing heart stilled. That was the last voice he wanted to hear, but he’d recognise it anywhere. Brave, stupid, brilliant Aurelia.
Somehow, he didn’t think chance had led her here this far past her bedtime.
She’d materialised from the night, brandishing her father’s old gladius, and approached Gus from behind. Expression fearless; if she knew the real danger Loren was in, the only clue was her shaking fingers.
Ax looked Aurelia up and down with a wolfish smile. ‘Your grip on that blade is all wrong, little girl. You sure you know how to use it?’
‘Aurelia,’ Loren bit. ‘Go home.’
Aurelia’s face tightened. She slashed the blade, technique clumsy, and the sword clattered to the ground. Gus snorted again – maybe the only sound he knew how to make – and with a swift grab, forced her to her knees.
‘Let her go.’ Loren crawled toward her, useless leg dragging. ‘She’s harmless. A child.’
‘I’m not—’ Aurelia started, but Gus clapped a hand over her mouth.
Ax’s eyes flickered between Loren and Aurelia, unamused. Addressing Gus, he said, ‘We’re only meant to deliver the temple boy. But give her a twist, a reminder why little girls have no business in the affairs of adults.’
‘No!’ Loren cried without thinking. Both men turned their attention on him. He wanted to shrink again, but he forced the tremor from his voice. ‘We don’t harm children. It’s against city code.’
‘Against code.’ Ax’s brow arched.
Loren sucked in a deep breath.Don’t show emotion, the first tactic of politics – and the one tactic he still struggled to master. Never show the enemy what you value. Inevitably, invariably, they’ll use it against you. Slowly, he rose, wincing when he put weight on his ankle – sprained, not broken, a small mercy.
‘She has no idea what she’s doing. In fact,’ Loren said, holding Aurelia’s gaze with a stern glare, ‘if you let her go, she’ll run home, and no one will believe her story. You can take me undisturbed.’
‘Says the boy who kicked me.’ Ax glowered. ‘What do you say, Gus?’
Gus grunted, bringing his vocabulary to an impressive two sounds. He hauled Aurelia up as easily as he would a kitten, then shoved her. She stumbled forward, glancing back with fresh fear.
‘Home,’ Loren repeated, praying to Isis and Mercury and Jupiter himself that for once in Aurelia’s life, she’d obey.
Her lip trembled. She took off, sandals slapping stone, in the direction of Livia’s shop.
Loren deflated. ‘You’re under orders? Take me to who issued them.’
