Vestal Virgin: Suspense in Ancient Rome

Vestal Virgin: Suspense in Ancient Rome by Suzanne Tyrpak Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: Vestal Virgin: Suspense in Ancient Rome by Suzanne Tyrpak Read Free Book Online
Authors: Suzanne Tyrpak
Tags: Romance
sister—”
    “I pity you.”
    “ You pity me ?”
    Justinus caught Nero by his arm. “Hear me as your friend. Once you had high ideals, but now you act like a tyrant. Horse races and debauchery are all you think about. You ignore your official duties, and—”
    “—waste your time pretending you can sing,” Elissa finished.
    The slaves gasped, so did Angerona.
    The light died in Nero’s eyes. Like a cat, he had been toying with his prey, but now he moved in for the kill. He grabbed Elissa, drew her to his chest, holding her so tight she thought her ribs would crack. “I will sing a tune you never wished to hear, belt out notes to shatter glass, trill arias to pierce your heart. Sing with me, Elissa, or I will have you here and now. Sing for your virginity.”
    Slaves held onto Justinus, but with a roar he broke from them and dove at Nero.
    Breaking free, Elissa ran to Angerona.
    Justinus pinned Nero to the floor and locked his fingers around Nero’s throat.
    “My voice,” Nero gasped.
    Slaves surrounded the two men and shrieked for help.
    The chamber door flew open, and Tigellinus burst into the room. Sica in hand, he rushed at Justinus. He yanked him off Nero, dragged him to his feet, and pressed the blade against his heart. Sentries appeared in the doorway, their swords drawn.
    “Shall I kill him?”
    “Not yet.” Nero rubbed his neck. “I wouldn’t want to mess the rugs.”
    “Release him,” Elissa said. “I command you.” Fog drifted through the chamber, cold and damp. She heard Nero shouting, as if from a distance, his words meaningless. Behind him, through the mist, she saw Agrippina. “Release Justinus, or I will call upon your mother.”
    “My mother.” Nero laughed. “You’ll have to raise her from the dead.”
    “The dead walk among us and between us. Your mother is here now.”
    Nero glanced at Angerona.
    “It’s true,” she said. “The dead speak to Elissa, and she speaks to them.”
    “I have no belief in apparitions, shades, lemures.”
    Elissa’s smile was born of grief. How clearly she saw through him, this little man, this frightened boy. “Is that why you fear visiting your mother’s tomb?”
    Nero’s face paled.
    “I’ll let her sleep,” Elissa said, “if you release Justinus.”
    Nero motioned to Tigellinus. “Let him go.”
    “But Caesar—”
    “Release him.”
    Despite her triumph, Elissa felt defeated. No conjuring the dead would bring Marcus back to life.
    “Take care, Ahenobarbus,” Justinus said, “I fear for your mortal soul.”
    “My mortal soul.” Nero snorted. “This conversation has become tiring.” He swept out of the room followed by Tigellinus, the sentries, and the slaves—their footsteps fading as they clambered up the stairs.
    Angerona squeezed Elissa’s hand. “This time you escaped, but next time you may not. In future, you must appease Nero.”
    “Is that your tactic?”
    “I do what’s necessary. And I’d do anything to save my family. Use cunning, Elissa. Or Nero will destroy all of us. Remember my father.”
    “Of course. You’re right. We must tread lightly.”
    Elissa kissed Angerona’s cheek. Nero had forced Angerona’s father to slit his veins. Weakened by a steam-bath and loss of blood, fluid had filled his lungs until he’d suffocated. The official decree had been suicide.
    “Nero won’t stop at Marcus,” Justinus said. “He’ll go after your father, even your mother and sister. You must convince your family to flee Rome.”
    “Listen to him,” Angerona said. “Nero stops at nothing. None of us are safe. And now we’d better fly or the House of Vestals will be locked up for the night.” She squeezed Elissa’s hand again. “Besides, you sorely need to bathe.”
    It was only later, when, exhausted and dazed, Elissa prepared to soak in a steaming tub, she remembered the letter she’d written to Justinus. She searched her clothes, but it was missing.

CHAPTER VII
     
I day after the Kalends of

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