I moved away from Marcellious and pivoted to face him.
As soon as the cellar door shut, Marcellious opened his eyes.
“They want us dead,” he said in a weak voice.
“They do.”
“They have guns, not swords. One shot and we’re dead.”
“How is it you know about guns?” I said, narrowing my eyes. “What century were you born in?”
He said nothing.
“Answer me, Marcellious.”
Marcellious’ cold gaze met mine. “I’m not going to tell you anything. Not a word about where I’m from.”
“You’re just being a stubborn ass. Just tell me. Where did you learn of guns?” I glowered at him. I was so done with his resistance and constant need for fighting.
“My father taught me. He taught me about white men and their weapons.”
I frowned.White men and their weapons? What’s he talking about?“In what century?”
Marcellious’s lips formed a crisp line, and he turned away from me.
“Look,” I said, “there was a time we fought side by side in Rome. Granted, we were never friends, but we’ll never escape this situation alive unless we become allies.”
Marcellious kept his stony silence.
“What if we’re brothers? Were you ever told of a twin brother?” I asked.
Marcellious said nothing.
“What if we’re brothers, Marcellious? Did you know your mother?”
“I had no mother. And I’ll never be your ally. I just want to go back.”
“Yes, but where is that?”
He pressed his lips even tighter together.
I let out a sigh. “Can we agree to be allied for one day? At least until we find a way to escape? Otherwise, I will escape without you and leave you to the fate of the Americans. Like you said, I don’t think they will leave us alive.”
Marcellious jerked his head to face me. “You wouldn’t do that.”
“Think I wouldn’t? I’m this close to doing it—to taking off without you and leaving you here to die on your own.” I held my thumb and my forefinger before me, a millimeter apart.
Marcellious shook his head. “Fine. I’ll be your ally until we escape. But then, I’m done with you.”
“Fine,” I said.
“Fine,” he repeated. “Now, will you untie me?”
“Not just yet. I’m still not convinced you’re not going to murder me. So, let’s leave you tied until we can devise a plan.”
Olivia
Charlotte caterwauled in my ears throughout the night each time I got back to sleep. She was like an incessant alarm clock, determined to disturb my slumber.
