Free The Raven and the Rose by Doreen Owens Malek Page A

power every day, soon he will be sole dictator in name as well as practice. Casca thinks that the Caesarion gangs could go after me to get to him. The Senators and the other politicians are too well protected, but a lone woman out shopping with just a set of bearers and an old man like Nestor might be a target.”
    “Have things gotten that bad?” Julia murmured.
    Larthia shrugged. “Apparently so.”
    “Caesar doesn’t seem that ruthless,” Julia said.
    “He hasn’t gotten where he is with displays of kindness. He eliminates without a qualm anyone who stands in his way.” Larthia swallowed another sip of her wine appreciatively. “How do you know him?”
    “He’s been to the temple a few times to file and amend his will. The last time he came I took the dictation.”
    “You took Caesar’s dictation? Aren’t you a little young for that distinction?”
    Julia smiled. “Livia Versalia found herself unprepared. Caesar came on short notice and I was the only one available.”
    “What is he like in close quarters? I’ve only seen him at banquets when my husband was alive. He just greeted the women and then moved off to talk politics with the men, so it was difficult to judge his personality.”
    “I was only with him a short time myself, but it’s clear he’s... powerful. With the Vestals he was very charming and courtly, of course.”
    Larthia nodded. “That’s the type you have to watch. Did he come alone?”
    Julia rose from the table and turned away, fiddling with a water jug on a stand nearby. “No, he had a centurion of the first cohort with him.”
    “The raven?” Larthia said, sitting up alertly. “That Greek sidekick of his? What’s his name? Demeter!”
    “Yes,” Julia replied, not meeting her sister’s eyes.
    “Isn’t he something? They say there’s hardly a space on his body that isn’t marked from some campaign.” She chuckled. “Quite a few ladies in Rome would like to find out for themselves.”
    Julia turned back to the table with the water jug. As she added some liquid to her cup the jug flew out of her hand and splashed to the floor.
    Larthia bent immediately to help her, staying her hand as Julia began to pick up the pieces of the shattered terra cotta vessel.
    “Don’t bother with that, leave it for the servants. Come back and sit down, you haven’t eaten anything.”
    Julia sat again, bringing forward a platter of salted bass, already cut into pieces for finger food. She offered it to Larthia, who took a piece and then watched as Julia sipped from her cup of diluted wine but ate nothing.
    “Are you feeling well, Julia?” Larthia asked.
    “Why do you ask?”
    “You seemed distracted.”
    “Do I?”
    “Yes, you certainly do. You’re jittery as a street cat, you’re smashing crockery, and you seem to be fasting.”
    “I’m just not hungry.”
    “But this is delicious, you should try some.”
    Julia shook her head.
    “All right. It looks as though the timing of my visit was fortuitous. You appear to be bothered by something and there are shadows under your eyes as if you didn’t sleep well last night. What could possibly be haunting you in this glorious haven of peace and tranquility?”  
    Julia looked up at her suddenly and Larthia saw with concern that her sister’s eyes were full of tears.  
    Larthia dropped the piece of fish in her hand and leaned forward across the table. “By all the gods, Julia, what is wrong with you?”
    Julia swallowed hard and whispered, “It’s that centurion you mentioned, Caesar’s aide. The one they call the raven.”
    Larthia watched her, transfixed. When Julia said nothing further Larthia nodded encouragingly.
    “I met him when he came here with Caesar,” Julia went on.
    “And then this morning when I sacrificed, he was in the crowd, watching me.”
    “Did he speak to you?” Larthia muttered, looking toward the door, which was ajar.
    “No, but...”
    “But what?”
    “The way he looks at me...” Julia closed her