Fighting Fit by Annie Dalton Read Free Book Online Page A

Roman times, even in a house full of watchful slaves.
    When I went to take off her bulla, Aurelia suddenly jerked away. “Leave it on please, Mella. I never take it off.”
    “I didn’t know, sorry,” I said apologetically. I could tell I’d genuinely distressed her. Romans are SO superstitious, I thought.
    I helped Aurelia into her night-gown then brushed her hair until it was silky. “Your hair isn’t so bad,” I comforted her. “It’s out of condition that’s all. Perhaps we can buy some almond oil tomorrow. That’s what Lola uses.”
    “Is Lola your friend?” Aurelia asked.
    “She’s more like my spiritual twin,” I said truthfully.
    My mistress looked wistful. “So you actually found your twin, Mella?”
    Oh yeah, I thought, and I felt a happy tingle of angelic electricity. I suppose I did!
    Two slaves came in, lugging a small couch. They solemnly positioned it to form a solid barrier between my mistress’s bed and the door. They bowed to Aurelia and backed out, looking faintly puzzled. I heard one mutter, “Isn’t she a bit small for a bodyguard.”
    “Size is irrelevant with Carthaginians,” hissed his companion. “All Carthaginian girls carry knives, it’s a known fact.”
    Aurelia was asleep minutes after we blew out the lamp.
    I lay awake going over the events of the past few hours. I still had no idea why I was posing as a slave in Ancient Rome. But the Agency had gone to a great deal of trouble to establish my cover. This meant that Aurelia Flavia was important to them for some reason. I decided I was honoured that Orlando trusted me to take care of her.
    I won’t let you down, I swear, I told him silently.
    Next minute, my mouth went dry with fear. Unsteady footsteps were coming towards our room. The door opened very softly and someone came in, stumbling in the dark. My heart gave a massive thump as I felt the intruder lean over me and peer into my face. I could smell his breath, a suffocating mixture of garlic, fish and alcohol.
    This isn’t a burglar! I thought in a panic. This is deeply creepy!!
    “Pollux!” he swore in disgust. “It’s only her slave.”
    For Aurelia’s sake, I had to control my terror. I made my breathing deep and regular. I’m just a slave girl, I told myself, not even worth bothering with. I’m a tired slave girl dreaming whatever Roman slave girls dream about.
    It worked. After some minutes, whoever it was stumbled away.
    I lay there still trembling in the dark. I was almost positive the intruder wasn’t PODS. But from the vibes, he wasn’t totally human either. There was no way I’d be able to fall asleep now. I clutched my bee charm like a talisman, jumping out of my skin at every tiny household creak. I remembered Aurelia saying, “He may have been poisoned.”
    “That girl needs you,” Orlando had said. And now I know why.
     

Chapter Five
    T wo weeks later, I was still so worried about keeping Aurelia safe, that I had developed major angelic insomnia.
    At night, that is. In the day, I only had to sit down in the sunshine to shell a few peas to find myself dropping off! One afternoon I actually dozed off at the baths.
    Unlike other rich Romans, who took hordes of slaves everywhere they went - one to unbuckle your sandals, one to help you into your litter, a third to run ahead clearing the rabble out of your way - Aurelia Flavia preferred a more democratic approach. On our daily visits to the baths we took it in turns to guard our possessions. I’d watch them while she bathed and had her massage, then she’d do the same for me.
    Apart from the constant risk of robbery, the atmosphere was wonderfully relaxing. I tucked my feet under me, leaned my head against the tiled wall and settled down happily to wait.
    I was now a complete convert to Roman-style bathing. It was like the ultimate spa experience. First you washed off the dust from the street, then you were slathered in scented oil and massaged vigorously by a trained masseuse. Then all the