Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  “Sometimes it is necessary to put others before ourselves.”

  Marcus sat down on the stone seat staring at her. She automatically sank further beneath the water, feeling very naked. Well, she was to be fair. The colour in her cheeks was certainly flooding back. “You are looking better than you did.”

  “Really? I thought I pulled the drowned rat effect off quite well.”

  He could help himself but laugh. “I meant your colour has returned. You were positively white when I brought you in.”

  “I’m finally warm,” she admitted.

  Realising he had her at a distinct disadvantage, Marcus starting circling the bath like a predator stalking its prey. Jenna felt quite flushed with those black eyes surveying what bare skin he could see. “Once again, one of us is naked and the other clothed,” he shook his head. “We really must start co-ordinating our state of dress better.”

  “Well, you know that is easily rectified,” Jenna responded.

  “I know, you can get dressed,” he sighed heading for the door.

  Not knowing quite what came over her, her reply was very different. “I was going to say, you could always get naked and join me.” She turned away from him, shocked that the words had come out of her mouth.

  She didn’t see him move, but the next second he was in the water, admittedly fully clothed, his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. Her pulse was racing like never before, this was really going to be the moment. His kiss was very different, hot and urgent, his hands exploring her naked body. As they ran up her back, she felt an almighty spark shoot through her birthmark. She squealed and leapt back from him.

  “What was that?” she glowered. Talk about killing the moment.

  Marcus looked at his hand stunned. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her around, lifting her up out the water at little.

  “What are you doing?” she squeaked as he just held her there, apparently frozen.

  “That mark, how long have you had it?” His tone was excessively harsh.

  “I was born with it,” she murmured.

  He released her and backed up the steps out the water. “I’m sorry, I have to go,” he said coldly and disappeared through the door.

  Jenna stared at the space he left. What the hell had gotten into him? He had looked quite horrified, as though he had seen a ghost. Was her birthmark that repellent to him? She felt so humiliated, she had offered herself to him and he had rejected her. She was disfigured and he apparently only wanted perfection. The tears started as she climbed out the bath. She felt used and dirty.

  With abject misery, she dried herself and pulled on the beautiful silk robe. She slipped out his bathroom, and took a cloak from his dressing room, before moving quietly through the villa so she wouldn’t have the embarrassment of running into Aius or any other servants. The walk back to the temple seemed to take forever. All she wanted to do was curl up on her bed and cry her eyes out. This was a stark reminder why she steered clear of men. They could break your heart, whatever the time zone.

  A feeling of sanctuary washed over her as she stepped inside the temple. It was the one place Marcus could not set foot in. Amelia came bounding over and stopped a foot away.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Jenna couldn’t respond, the tears flowed again instead.

  “Oh hell. He didn’t hurt you, did he?” Amelia wrapped her arms around her friend.

  “No,” Jenna sniffed. “Our relationship is well and truly over.”

  “Bastard,” Amelia grunted and hugged her friend tighter.

  “I’ll be fine,” Jenna murmured, “I just need to sleep.”

  Curled up in a tight ball, Jenna cried herself to sleep, with Ares snuggled in next to her. It was almost as though he could feel her pain.

  CHAPTER 4

  Mars was pacing up and down in his villa in Olympus. He had done so for half the night. He was in a state of shock. Jenna bore his mark. She bore his actual mark. It was golden and beautiful. But how could she? She was a time traveller.

  He was lost and confused. How could it be her? She brought both his happiness and destruction. He had gone from a moment of elation to complete disbelief.

  “You’re going to wear the marble out if you don’t stop pacing soon,” Jupiter appeared in a flash of light.

  “She bears my mark, father,” he blurted out.

  “Jenna, yes we know she does.”

  Mars headed snapped up. “You knew?”

  “Yes. But it took you long enough to discover it.”

  “You saw her naked?” The fire was starting to build in Mars’ eyes.

  Jupiter laughed. “I’m too old to be peaking at maidens bathing. I saw it when she was asleep in our peristyle, her robe had slipped off her shoulder. Besides, it does not take a genius to realise it was her.”

  “How so?”

  “Her ability to touch you through your statues, swing your sword, your connection with her. It was all there, as plain as day.”

  “It would have been helpful if you had pointed that out instead of me discovering it like I did,” Mars snorted.

  “You’re not allowed any help with your prophecy, remember? And how is Jenna? Did you explain what that mark means?”

  “No,” Mars turned away from his father, truly embarrassed. “I just left her.”

  “You did what?” Minerva flew into the room.

  “Excuse me, but this is a private conversation,” Mars fumed.

  “No it’s not. Jenna’s fate is linked to us all, so you better not have screwed things up too much,” she snapped. “Tell me exactly how you left her?”

  “We were…..in the bath when I saw the mark. I panicked.” He couldn’t look at his sister, he felt so ashamed of his actions.

  Minerva rolled her eyes. “Great. Jenna finally says yes, and the minute you see she is marked, you run out on her. Trust me, brother, you couldn’t have messed up any worse. Women don’t tend to forgive men who reject them at such an intimate moment.”

  “I will go to her tomorrow to apologise. To explain what happened.”

  “She won’t see you, I can pretty well guarantee you that.”

  “I will make sure she does.”

  “I take it you won’t explain the full extent of her mark?”

  “No, credit me with some intelligence.”

  “I think you’ve already displayed that is severely lacking,” Minerva grunted.

  Mars returned to Rome. He spent most the night on the roof of his villa, staring out over the city. He was distraught at what he had done to Jenna, leaving her at such a time. He just hoped she would see him, to give him a chance to repair the damage he had done. She had to, she was his life match, his prophecy.

  Jenna looked dreadful when she got up the next morning, her eyes were all red and puffy.

  “Ye Gods,” Cassandra spluttered. “You’ll scare any worshippers looking like that.”

  “Thanks,” Jenna sniffed. “Sadly they don’t have good foundation here to hide discolouration.”

  “But they do at McVale. Why don’t you head back to the Institute for a few days, while emotions settle?”

  “I haven’t long been back. Besides, I don’t want to go, not yet at any rate.”

  “But I take it you don‘t want to see Marshall Vilnus?”

  “No,” Jenna felt her eyes turn glassy again. “For Rome’s security, it’s probably best if I don’t run into him.”

  Cassandra smiled. “That’s the spirit.”

  Amelia slithered in looking uneasy.

  “I might look like a withered old hag, but I won’t bite,” Jenna glanced at her friend.

  “I’m taking no chances,” Amelia kept her distance. “He who cannot be named is outside wanting to talk with you.”

  Amelia had the fun task of delivering Jenna’s message to Marcus. He was looking impatient standing on the steps next to his horse.

  “Sorry, Marshall, but she’s not coming out.”

  “Did you not tell her it
was urgent?” he growled.

  “Yes, but right now I really don’t think she wants to see you.”

  “I don’t care what she wants. I am ordering her out.”

  “I can’t pass on her exact message for fear you will arrest me. But it was along the lines of using a certain part of your own anatomy to pleasure yourself.”

  Amelia headed back inside grinning, it was good to see the pompous ass brought down to ground level.

  “Has he gone?” Jenna asked.

  “Nope. Looks like he’s setting up camp outside.”

  “He’ll get bored. Men have a very low threshold of boredom. Besides, if a riot breaks out, he’ll have to go.”

  “You’ll have to speak to him eventually.”

  “Maybe not. I’m starting to develop a cunning plan.”

  “Now I’m worried,” Amelia retorted.

  “McVale own and run an olive estate south of the city. I could go there for a week or two, I need to get out of Rome but I don’t want to go back to the Institute. If I can ask Gaius to set it up, it would be perfect.”

  “You’re going to desert me?”

  “You can come too.”

  “How long is the ride?”

  “About three to four hours , I think.”

  “I only ever managed ten minutes on a donkey in Athens. I’d be crap in the saddle. Besides, I will just have to make sure Augustus diverts my attention.”

  “Hussy,” Jenna retorted.

  “Yep. Now there’s an interesting conundrum.”

  “What?” Jenna took the bait.

  “If I have sex here, does it count because theoretically I haven’t yet been born?”

  “Nice try. Yes, you’ll be a lady of loose virtue in both time zones.”

  “Ooh, a scarlet woman, that does give me an air of notoriety.”

  Jenna shook her head. “I need to talk to Cassandra about making my escape.”

  “Ares won’t be happy.”

  “I’m sure Julius will keep him entertained while I’m gone. Taking of which, where is he?”

  “Julius?”

  “No, Ares.”

  A deep yelp came from the front of the temple. Amelia ran to take a look, then retreated giggling. “I think Ares has declared which side he’s on. He took a chunk out the Marshall’s hand.”

  “Good kitten,” Jenna smiled. It was the first time she had all day.

  CHAPTER 5

  Dawn was just starting to break as Jenna saw Gaius, Luke and a couple of armed riders stop in front of the temple. She mounted up on the horse he had obtained and they set off for the city gates.

  “I didn’t expect you, Luke,” Jenna has not seen her friend for a few days.

  “Gaius thought I could do with spending some time studying ancient farming methods.”

  “Cool.”

  “Besides, with you gone from the city, the streets are way too quiet.”

  “In that case I shall endeavour to wreak as much havoc as I can on the farm.”

  She heard Gaius mutter something under his breath.

  “Are we riding coastal or inland?” she asked.

  “Coastal, it’s less dangerous,” Gaius grunted.

  “But we still need an escort?”

  “Yes. The roads aren’t always too safe.”

  The ride was beautiful, the scenery just stunning, unmarred by modern buildings. They rode through little villages, stopping once for refreshment from the dusty road. The sun was blistering hot and it was close to midday when they arrived at the Laumus Estate. The huge wooden gates were opened by two men.

  Jenna held her breath as she took in the view before her. The long driveway was lined with olive groves, at the far end of which was the sprawling white villa.

  “Not too shabby. “Luke murmured, equally impressed.

  They rode down to the villa, the Estate Manager Sextus came out the front to greet them.

  “Gaius, it’s been a while.”

  “Rome is not always easy to escape from.” Gaius dismounted and passed his horse over to a hovering servant.

  “Well, come on in you three, we have refreshments on the terrace.”

  The view the other side of the villa was equally as stunning. The gardens were amazingly kept, with a large lake at the bottom surrounded by statues.

  “Wow,” Jenna breathed. “That looks just like the lake I’ve seen pictures of at Hadrian’s country estate.”

  “I would like to think he stole my inspiration,” Sextus grinned, “but I think it might have been the other way around.” Sextus poured them some drinks. “We have a small lemon grove here as well, so you can enjoy the delights of still lemonade.”

  It tasted delicious, and helped remove all the dust caked in Jenna’s throat.

  “So I understand we have you two for a couple of weeks. It’s not often students are eager to leave Rome.”

  “There are not many students who antagonise the Marshall of the Peace,” Gaius muttered.

  “We should hopefully be able to keep you entertained here. And out of trouble.” He beckoned to a servant who was hovering. “Aisha here will show you to your quarters. We live a simple life but do not lack for anything.”

  Jenna looked over at Gaius. “I take it you’re heading back to Rome soon?”

  “Yes. I don’t want my absence to be noticed.”

  Enough said, thought Jenna. “Thank you,” she smiled and headed indoors with Luke.

  “Is there something I should know about?” Sextus looked at Gaius.

  “Trouble tends to follow Jenna wherever she goes,” Gaius stood up to make a hasty exit. “Often in the form of a hissing, spitting Marshall Vilnus. Hopefully here, she can put some distance between them.”

  “I guess I’ve lived in peace far too long,” Sextus grinned. “This place could do with some livening up.”

  “You may live to regret those words, old friend,” Gaius said his farewells.

  Jenna and Luke were enthralled as Sextus showed them around the estate later that afternoon.

  “When the olives are picked, they are brought to this building where we pack them into amphorae, the top of which is sealed with wax.”

  “Are we on picking or packing duty tomorrow?” Luke asked.

  “Picking,” Sextus announced. “Newbies always get the worst job first.”

  “What happens to the amphorae?” It was Jenna’s turn to ask the questions.

  “We take them to a merchant in the nearby town of Vasillis. You can join me on the next trip I make to see how business is really conducted here.”

  “Is the Estate profitable?”

  “Very,” Sextus smirked. “In fact it’s quite embarrassing how much money we actually make, considering this was originally set up as a front to help student learn ancient agriculture.”

  “If it’s money you need spending,” Jenna grinned. “I’ve always been top of the class for that.”

  “From what I hear, you’re top of the class for creating mayhem and chaos.”

  “I guess I’m just naturally talented,” she sighed dramatically.

  They returned to the villa to wash before dinner. It amazed Jenna how different the land was just a few hours south of Rome. It was so incredibly dusty, she felt like she was permanently coated in a fine film of it.

  Sextus said they ate simply, but for Jenna and Luke who lived on temple donations, the food was delicious. Meat was such a rare treat, more so for Luke than her as she occasionally ate with Marcus. She cursed herself for having recalled him to mind, she had done a brilliant job in banishing him from her thoughts. Now he was back in residence. He was nothing more than a shallow, lowly toad, and she would waste no more tears on him. She just needed to believe that and put back together the pieces of her heart he had so cruelly shattered.

  Professor Daniels was reading through the bulky file on his desk. Jenna’s personal records had not been kept with the rest of the students, they were held under lock and key by the Principal of the Institute. And to release th
em, two other members of the Governing Board had to agree.

  He already had a fair idea why they were not readily accessible, the information contained within them was pretty shocking. He was correct in his assumption, Jenna was indeed Roman born. Her birth date was in fact the second of August 82AD.