by T. G. Ayer
Was it Caesar or Jesus he'd known?
"You are partly right, Evangeline. I am related to Caesar." Evie looked back at him so sharply she almost sprained her neck. "Close your mouth. You will catch flies."
"Silly." Evie laughed, waving her hand at him in a mock smack. Odd for him to use such a familiar expression. "I don't think the Underworld possesses such things as flies."
"You'd be surprised."
Julian's enigmatic answer and the very heated look in his eyes as he stared at her lips made Evie feel slightly uncomfortable, so she shut her mouth and waited. She'd tried hard to stop thinking of home, so what better way than to concentrate on the hunky pin-up she was stuck with for the next month?
Nothing wrong with looking, nothing at all.
"Okay, where do I begin?"
"This may sound strange, but the beginning is usually the best place." Evie kept a straight face, but her eyebrow managed to curve of its own accord.
Julian grinned. "My mother was Julia Caesaris, daughter to Augustus Caesar." His eyes remained on Evie's face as she paled at his revelation. "I was her youngest child by Tiberius. Yes, he was the Emperor Tiberius, as you asked. I never knew my parents. My father's first wife, who also happened to be my mother's step-daughter, stole me away when I was an infant. She led everyone to believe I was dead. It was her way of dissolving the relationship between my parents. She wanted my father back. You see, my father so wanted to be Emperor he was willing to cast off the woman he loved for it. And Agrippina disliked my mother with a deep passion. Not only for marrying the man she loved, but for the way my mother treated her father."
Julian sighed, brushing his hand through his hair. "You see, everyone was a pawn. Everyone was used by someone. And Agrippina knew if I were to live in that household, I would be a pawn too. The only living grandchild of the Great Caesar. So she stole me away and replaced me with the body of a dead infant. One of the servants had just delivered a stillborn babe, and Agrippina saw her opportunity to give me a second chance at life. She swapped the babes and took me away to a wealthy family she knew. She cared enough to want to ensure I received a good education as well as a good life."
Evie was shocked at the words coming from Julian's mouth. Hard to believe that the young man she saw before her, so beautiful and strong, was actually the grandson and the son of emperors of Rome. He seemed far too down-to-Earth to be royalty. She wanted to hear more, wanted to ask a thousand questions. But she held her tongue. More because Julian's eyes held a faraway look that said he was in a place deep within his past. Filled with childhood wonder and memories of love and learning.
Evie's heart ached for the young boy taken away from his family by the arrogant God of the Underworld, to take his place while he was off god knows where, trying to find himself.
How hard was it for a god to find himself? And how long did it take, really?
"She came to see me, you know? I never knew it, only found out years later that she had visited with her friends regularly to see how I was doing. She often came bearing gifts and food. My foster-mother, Claudia, remained on good terms with Agrippina. She once said that Agrippina was a good woman at heart who had done a few wrong things in her life for the right reasons. I never knew what she meant until the history books and a few letters filled me in. You see, I was born in ten BC. I was twenty when Hades took me away. Julia was still alive and my real father, Tiberius, was Emperor. Perhaps it was a good thing Hades took me away. Who knows, I may have eventually succumbed to the typical Roman political maneuvering. Perhaps I may have tried to take the throne, may have succeeded had Agrippina ever admitted who I was. Not that I believed she would admit it. It would have defeated the purpose of everything she'd done."
Evie knew Julian would see the sorrow and sympathy on her face, but she didn't care. She watched his face as he spoke. "I had a blessed childhood. I was loved, healthy, well cared for. I could ask for no more than that. My foster father, Marcus, sent me away to school to be well educated. I must admit I was a rebellious and headstrong child. I was sent home from school. I was far too rambunctious to handle. Marcus relented and had me educated by his friend Horace."
Julian smiled when Evie's jaw dropped for the second time. "That's who you've been reading, isn't it?" She rose and picked up the book, flipping through the pages with extra care. The book looked ancient. "It's in Greek?" She raised her eyebrows in question.
"Horace wrote for me in at least five languages. It was his way of making me learn. I'd always thought they were stories, fictional tales to get me interested because they were always about a young and lonely boy or girl."
"Did he know your parents?"
"If you mean Tiberius and Julia, then yes. Even if he didn't know them personally, he moved in many circles that overlapped theirs."
"I bet. Wow, you knew Horace. And Virgil? And Ovid?" Julian nodded.
"Horace was my teacher for a while. And all three gave me many different lessons." Julian scrubbed his head again. "Horace died when I was nine. I was devastated. Little did I know that Hades had already chosen me. That Horace had a hand in the choosing."
Evie was silent, absorbing Julian's words. Was she really listening to the voice of a man from Horace's time? It should seem unbelievable, yet she believed him. She'd sunk back into the soft couch, and at some point she had curled her feet up under her, boots and all. Stricken, she sat up, putting her feet back on the ground where they belonged.
Julian laughed. "We don't stand on ceremony here, Evangeline. I want you to be comfortable while you are here." Then he closed his book and placed it on the arm of the chair again. "Speaking of which, perhaps it is time to show you to your rooms."
Evie blinked. "My rooms? I have rooms?"
"Well, as the Ruler of the Underworld, it is befitting that you should have rooms. You can have mine, but I think you will be more comfortable with your own." Julian grinned as he teased her and she flushed. The door opened. "Evangeline, I'd like you to meet Pollo. Pollo, this is Evangeline, your new boss."
Evie listened to the steady clip-clop of what sounded distinctly like hooves as it moved from the stone at the entrance of the room to the carpet where it faltered at Julian's introduction but continued again, approaching her steadily.
A man came into her line of sight. Evie caught herself when she saw the horns, the sight of which drew her gaze downward to his legs—no, not legs, furred hindquarters and hooves. He was half a man and half a goat.
Evie blinked as he bowed before her. "A pleasure to meet you, my lady."
"Likewise, Pollo," was all she could manage as she swallowed and tried hard not to stare at the satyr.
"Pollo, please show Evangeline to the spare chambers."
The satyr nodded at the instruction without so much as a blink. "As you wish, my lord." Then he turned to Evie and inclined his head, his dark brown eyes kind and unassuming. "As soon as you are ready, my lady."
Evie sat up. "Oh, sure. I'm ready now." A bath and a nap sounded pretty good to her right now. She turned to leave when she remembered her bag. Evie glanced back at Julian. "I need a small favor."
Julian smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Name it."
"I need to go back to the room with the table. I left my bag there." She ran her fingers over her forearms, feeling an answering tingle beneath her skin, as if the dark tattoos knew she was thinking of them.
Julian's face darkened, and Evie felt a corresponding worry filter through her. "Of course. Pollo will take you." She was surprised he hadn't just said he'd have her bag brought to her. Instead, he'd given her permission to return to the room.
Evie followed a silent Pollo, who walked a few feet ahead, his pointed ears flicking every now and then as if he was listening up and down the tunnels for traffic. At last he slowed, and Evie recognized the inscribed mantel of the room in which she'd been ordained Queen of the Underworld.
Wordlessly, the satyr pushed open the heavy stone door and stood aside, allowing Evie to enter and retrieve
her bag. As she hitched it on her shoulder, she glanced at the Seals.
Still embedded in the stone.
Pollo didn't even raise an eyebrow. Evie glanced at him as he closed the door and led her off, unperturbed.
Her mind ran in circles around medallions, Seals, and tattoos, so much so that when the satyr stopped to usher her into her room, she almost walked right into him. He stepped aside just in time and pretended she'd done nothing untoward, just gave her a small bow.
"Your rooms, my lady. Refreshments will be served in a few moments. Is there any particular food you prefer not to consume?"
"No, thank you, Pollo. I'm happy with anything." Evie nodded and Pollo bowed and left, closing the stone door softly behind him.
She had a sudden worrying thought as she studied the closed door. What kind of food would they serve down here in the Underworld? With a twist of her lips, she turned and shucked her bag onto the foot of the large four-poster bed.
Guess she would just have to wait and see.
Evie suddenly felt tired to the bone, an aching fatigue that seemed to want to drag her straight to her knees. Her thighs quivered and she sank onto the mattress, heaving a sigh. One that spoke of grief and loneliness, of vengeance and impatience, and of exhaustion.
She was about to allow her body to drop back onto the bed when she caught sight of tendrils of steam drifting from the wall in front of her. Her forehead scrunched and she rose, tiredness forgotten. She followed the steam around the wall and gasped.
Evie stood before a pool of water so clear she could see the stone floor and the seats carved out along the side walls. Steam rose from the surface and Evie bent to dip her fingers into the welcome warmth. She made her decision as soon as she felt the calming heat on her skin.
Within minutes, her clothing, weapons, and boots were off and she was soaking within the pool, giving no further thought to anything else but its soothing heat.
A couple of hours later, Evie sat on the bed, refreshed after a refreshing meal and a long nap. A light knock sounded on the door and a faun entered the room.
She paused just inside the room. "His Highness wishes to see you, Miss Evangeline." The girl sketched a quick curtsey, which Evie could see would be uncomfortable in her hoofed feet.
Hades had preferred the fauns as his servants, and as Evie could see, it remained the status quo. The faun smiled, although it appeared a mere courtesy as it never reached her eyes.
Guess she has chosen Persephone in this unspoken war.
Why she should have anything against Evie was a mystery, especially when Evie was adamant her stay would be as short as she could make it.
"What is your name?" Evie asked.
"Flavia, my lady."
"Thank you, Flavia. Where am I to meet him?" The faun hesitated, a cloud of confusion crossing her dull, brown eyes.
"Come, I will show you." She smiled and turned, her hooves making no sound on the carpet of moss.
Evie followed, glad she'd had a chance to eat and have a good nap before Julian thought to summon her. Why is he being so mysterious, anyway? Perhaps he had arranged a surprise? No. Evie shook head. It made no sense to presume what Julian's intentions were.
Flavia weaved through the warren of tunnels, this way and that until Evie was certain she'd never find her way back without help.
At last, Flavia stopped. "I have to leave you here. It's not far. Just follow the tunnel to the end. You will come to a large room."
Flavia stumbled a curtsey and left in a hurry. Evie stared at the disappearing faun in shock and disappointment. If she got lost inside these tunnels, no one would find her for days.
She turned to face the passage ahead and sighed. There wasn't much of a choice. Walk on or stand around helplessly like a fool.
The farther Evie walked down the passageway, the more she became certain that Flavia's message may not have been from Julian. Why would he want her to traipse around dark tunnels just to meet him? Either he had something pretty amazing to show her or she had just been royally duped.
Evie had her money on Persephone.
An archway on her left opened onto a small cavern. The entire floor of the room was a pool of dark water. Steam rose from the surface and a comfortable warmth exuded from the space. It would have made a marvelous hot tub had it not been for the floating splotches of red-hot flames which littered the surface.
Ouch.
Evie walked on, confident that this was not where Flavia had directed her. The smirk on the servant's face had alerted Evie to the possibility this was a hoax, but she could not assume it and ignore Julian's request. What if it was really Julian's request?
Evie passed another entrance to a large room on her right and then stopped in her tracks. Flavia had said to follow the passage until she came to the largest room. There she would find Julian.
None had been this large. None were this dark either. And it was the darkness which made Evie all the more nervous.
She entered the room slowly, searching for a torch to light up, anything to illuminate the room. A low rumbling echoed within the room, like the sound a fast-moving river made across a stretch of rapids, or the flowing of an underground river. The sound didn't concern her. She was seeing the depths of the Earth with a new light these days.
The room was large and airy, its ceiling higher than the entrance cavern. The acrid smell of burnt flesh lingered in the air along with the dry warmth of a burning fire. But no light shone within the cave, and though Evie could sense a solid presence in the room, she could see nothing yet. Not even a darker shadow to imply the presence of someone.
Even her angel-sight was doing nothing for her.
Evie hesitated, lingering just inside the threshold. When her lungs could no longer hold the air inside, she was forced to expel her breath. She'd been holding her breath in silent trepidation. Something within the room had begun to kindle fear deep within her gut.
A light flared in the corner, red flame flecked with yellow. Something large and angry raced at her with a roar that rippled around the room and entwined itself around her eardrums. The reverberations fed the fire of her fear.
Evie stumbled out of the room, but it was too late. Something long and scaled snaked out of the room and wrapped around her waist. It swung her back into the cave and tossed her straight onto the stone floor.
Evie tried to get up, but she was held firmly in place. In this position, she was unable to use her wings to flee, unable to free herself at all. She stared into the thick darkness. What fate lay ahead for her?
Slowly, Evie's eyes adjusted to the blackness and she managed to get a better picture of what it was that held her down, saw the enormous softly padded paw that held her down, the sharp-as-daggers claws that rested on her chest so near to Evie's heart that a deep breath would surely slice open her skin.
She lifted her chin to gaze into the eyes of a lioness whose golden pelt was both beautiful and astonishingly terrifying. The lioness's golden eyes scanned Evie, much like she would examine a carcass looking for the best place to rip it apart.
Prey. That's what Evie felt like.
The lioness bent her golden head to Evie and drew in a breath, sniffing at Evie's neck with interest. Evie felt the rush of warm air against her skin and tensed. She was paralyzed, unable to do much else besides wait for the crunch of teeth against bone.
None came.
The lioness continued to sniff her, butting her ear with a wet nose. Then Evie felt the seeking, scaly tail entwine itself around her leg and squeeze. Her eyes now fully adjusted to the darkness, and Evie took a deep breath, expecting to find it difficult with a huge lion's paw pressing down on her chest. But the paw had already been removed. And the owner of said paw walked around her, sniffing and staring.
It was then that Evie saw the head of a goat which sprung from the center of the lioness's back. She was face-to-face with a real live chimera. She got to her feet slowly, afraid to scare the chimera into an attack. She still circumnavigated
Evie, seeming distressed. Evie's legs felt like rubber as she tested her weight, knowing she'd need to run when the creature next charged.
Her wings were ready to unfurl at any minute and Evie wasn't afraid to use them. The lioness's face was filled with sadness, while the goat stared at Evie with distrust. When Evie took a step toward the doorway, the lioness roared as if she was in deepest pain, and the goat bleated shrill and painful to Evie's ears.
It was the cacophony of animal sounds which stopped Evie from hearing someone approach.
The intruder rushed at her and in a breath, she was pushed gently against a wall. She gasped and looked up, ready to lash out at her attacker, when she met Julian's eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Julian face lay close to hers, worry creasing his brow. "Do you want to be killed?"
"Oh sure, it's so my favorite pastime," Evie said, swallowing hard. Her heart was beating a mile a minute at Julian's proximity—their bodies lay against each other touching from chest to hip.
The sound of her voice called to the tail of the chimera; it weaved, snaking through the air, attracted to Evie's voice. Julian moved in front of her and she felt strangely bereft. He guided her from the wall and walked backward with Evie behind him until they reached the safety of the passage.
"I was in no danger, you know."
"What exactly are you doing here?" Julian turned to Evie, an edge to his voice.
She backed away and ended up against the wall again. "Ask yourself that."
"What's that supposed to mean?" He took another step closer leaving not an inch of space between them.
Evie's breath came in short bursts. Her hands went to his chest and she felt the steady strong beat of his heart. She wanted to push him off but more than anything she wanted him closer.
Her body hummed with awareness, but she forced herself to concentrate on answering him. "Just that it was you who got me down here in the first place. If you're trying to kill me, I'm sure there are better ways than sending me to be chimera-chow."
"I didn't ask you to come here." Julian was frowning. The beating beneath her fingers sped up.
