Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars)

by Juliet Anderson

  “It can have an evening’s rest. I’m due to visit Pompeii tomorrow.”

  “I can take you back to your estate on my horse.”

  “There is no need. Mine is tethered just beyond this wall.”

  “You ride?” he seemed a little shocked.

  “Yes. Shocking, am I not?” she teased.

  “Highly. I will accompany you to make sure you return safely.” He picked her up again and deposited her on the horse before fetching his own. “I have been incredibly rude and not yet introduced myself. I am Hector.”

  “Jenna,” she smiled.

  “Jenna,” he mused. “That does not sound a Roman name. And come to think of it, you have a very faint accent.”

  “You know my secret, sir. I am not from Rome.”

  “Outrageous,” he pulled a face. “Next you will be telling me you are a foreigner.”

  “Guilty,” she sighed dramatically. “I will understand if you want to turn your horse around and ride out of here as if the hounds of Hades are after you.”

  He laughed heartily. “I think you mean Pluto. Hades is a Greek God.”

  “I know. But where I come from, Pluto is the name given to a funny dog. Hades sounds much scarier to us.”

  Hector rolled his eyes. “Such blasphemy. Is your homeland under Roman rule?”

  “No. And before you ask, yes I’m of noble birth, orphaned, wealthy, educated, trained with a sword and a nightmare to control.”

  “Unmarried as well, I hope, because with a list of virtues like that, I shall propose on the spot.”

  Jenna laughed. “Actually I thought I might see the dust from your horse as you raced out of here.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t get any further than orphaned and wealthy. Was there something else?”

  Jenna shook her head. He was certainly very charismatic. “What does your father do that has you travelling so much?”

  “He is involved with the Senate,” Hector said evasively. “This estate is rather impressive.” He scanned the rows of vines. “I have ridden by here many times and never paid it much attention.”

  They picked up the pace and soon arrived at the villa. A servant rushed out to take Jenna’s horse as Hector lifted her down.

  “Did you want me to carry you inside?”

  “I can hobble,” she smiled. “But thank you for your help.”

  “It was a pleasure. Perhaps I might see you at Pompeii tomorrow.”

  Jenna watched him ride down the driveway. He was such a lovely, warm young man. So very different from the one she was trying to forget.

  “Dare I ask what you’ve done?” Luke sighed heavily as she limped into the living area.

  “Just a slight strain, nothing serious.”

  “You didn’t cause a major landslide, did you? The area is still trying to recover from Vesuvius.”

  Jenna muttered something under her breath that made Luke laugh.

  Mars waited impatiently for Jenna to come to his statue, but despite his best efforts to draw her there, she had not shown. He transported to her bedroom and was shocked to find her bed empty. Stalking through the villa, he could find so sign of her or Luke. Had she returned to Rome?

  He checked his temple, Luke was not there. That meant it was unlikely Jenna was in Apollo’s temple. If they had moved on to another location, how could he find her? Assuming his favourite position on the roof of his villa, he paced up and down trying to decide his next move.

  It was not possible for him to leave Rome for any length of time to search for Jenna, he would have to ask the Olympus Guard to search for her. He called down Aster, the head of the guard and one of his most loyal servants. Having briefed him on Jenna’s last location, he let him on his way. He had faith in Aster; all Olympus Guards were excellent in tracking people down.

  His mood did not improve though, in fact it got worse. He could not believe that he had been so stupid as to assume Jenna was staying just at the Laumus Estate. She obviously had other plans set up and he had not seen that coming. A deep growl echoed in his chest; this mortal really would be the end of him. It was hardly surprising she came with a health warning.

  CHAPTER 11

  Jenna was bouncing around on her horse like an excited kid, just waiting for Pompeii to come into view.

  “Did you overdose on sugar this morning?” Luke grumbled.

  “Nope. Just high on life,” she grinned. “And I thought you’d be a little more excited at seeing Pompeii.”

  “I would rather see it fully intact before Vesuvius hit.”

  “I bet you would,” Jenna gave him a knowing look.

  “What are you trying to infer?”

  “We all know why you’d like to see a fully active Pompeii. It was the ancient equivalent to Amsterdam.”

  Luke laughed. “I guess I’d not thought of it like that. Much as it pains me to admit it, you’re right. About its links to the sex trade, not my desire to take part.”

  “They really were a strange breed though. You’d think Rome was debauched enough, but apparently not. They had an entire city devoted to entertaining one’s inner most desires.”

  “Well, look on the bright side. Like Amsterdam, you might find a few interesting souvenirs to take home.”

  Jenna leant over and slapped Luke’s arm. “Pig.”

  Nothing could have prepared them for the sheer eeriness that hung over Pompeii. They had both visited the excavated site in their time zone, but here, in 100AD, the city was still buried under a pile of volcanic rock and ash.

  “It’s giving me chills just looking at it,” Jenna shivered.

  “Yeah, it is really creepy,” Luke looked around. “There’s barely a sound.”

  “It’s just one mass tomb.”

  A few settlements had sprung up around the city, but other than that, it was as it had been after the Vesuvius had erupted.

  “Herculaneum must have been hit even worse when you consider how close it is to Vesuvius.”

  “I always thought it strange that Pompeii was the city that everyone talked about. Herculaneum barely gets a look in.” Jenna’s eyes continued to scan the area.

  “Probably because Pompeii had the wealthier clientele and the more hedonistic lifestyle.” Luke looked at her with a mischievous grin. “Although I’m sure Herculaneum still has some interesting artefacts.”

  Jenna poked her tongue out and dismounted. As she did, she jarred her ankle. Perhaps trekking over volcanic rock might be a bit ambitious. “I’m going to sit this one out,” she called over to Luke and parked her rear on a large rock.

  She watched him scamper about the site, pleased that he was experiencing something very rare; Pompeii 100AD.

  “You weren’t visiting here when Vesuvius erupted by any chance?” a soft voice behind her made her jump.

  “I wasn’t yet born so cannot be blamed for that disaster,” she turned to face Hector.

  “Just checking. You did say you were a harbinger for disaster.”

  “Not usually natural ones.”

  “Your ankle is bothering you?”

  “Just a bit. I think I might have dismounted a little hard.”

  Hector nodded towards Luke. “Is he your betrothed?”

  “No,” she laughed. “If Luke heard you say that he would probably throw himself into Vesuvius. We’re just friends.”

  “What do you think of Pompeii?”

  “I find it incredibly sad that a city can disappear so quickly, the loss of life is staggering.” It was even more amazing that so many of those who died would be preserved for an eternity, mummified virtually by the ash.

  “Yes, Pompeii will certainly be missed.”

  Jenna eyed him up and down. “You were surely too young to partake in all it had to offer?”

  Hector laughed. “I am a great deal older than you think, but you are right in that Pompeii was a hedonistic haven.”

  “I have heard about the shocking frescoes that used to line the baths.” Actually she had seen them. And just the tho
ught of them made her blush, they were quite explicit. The worst were in the changing rooms, showing various scenes of sexual acts. Rumour had it the differing scenes were designed to remind clientele where they had left their clothes!

  “They just depicted every day natural acts,” he smiled, almost daring her to challenge. She backed down, it was not an area she was altogether happy discussing, especially with a stranger.

  It was time perhaps to change subjects. “Are you working?”

  “Always,” he pulled a face.

  “What has your father got you doing today?”

  “I am a messenger of sorts.”

  “If he works for the Senate, I am surprised he has you coming this far south.”

  “As I said before, I travel all over the Empire.”

  Luke made his way back towards them and Jenna introduced Hector. She was impressed that he started to include Luke in their conversation, he was obviously impeccably well mannered. In fact the two men talked steadily about business on the ride back to the vineyard.

  “This is where I sadly have to leave you,” Hector stopped close to the gates. “When are you headed back to Rome?”

  “We return to the Laumus Estate tomorrow. I guess Rome a few days after that.” Jenna was not altogether looking forward to picking olives again.

  “I ride to Vasillis tomorrow, so perhaps we can all travel together?” Hector offered.

  “That would make a welcome change to having Jenna whine in my ear all the way,” Luke beamed. Male conversation was in short supply.

  Jenna swatted him. “That would be fun. We’re planning to leave in the morning.”

  They watched Hector ride off. Luke was smiling.

  “What is it?” Jenna sighed.

  “I have to say I am impressed. Hector makes a much less threatening escort than the Marshall.”

  Jenna hissed at him. That name was not supposed to be mentioned.

  CHAPTER 12

  Mercury was pacing outside his father’s study, he needed to get a move on if he was to be back at the Laburnum Vineyard in time to ride back to Vasillis with Jenna and Luke. This foreign woman had completely captivated him.

  “Brother, it is not often I see you so anxious?” Minerva was very astute.

  “I am eager to get on my way, sister.”

  “You have never been able to hide your emotions, even when you were a child,” she eyed her brother carefully. “Is it a woman?”

  “Perhaps,” he grinned.

  “It has been a while since your head was turned. Come on, I want details,” she ordered.

  “I do not have many. She is a foreign noble. But she is so unlike anyone I have met before. I am due to escort her and a friend from Laburnum to Laumus. I just need father to get a move on.”

  No sooner had he said the words than the door to his father’s office swung open. “Ah, Mercury. This needs to be delivered to Senator Hiberus.” Jupiter passed him a scroll.

  “Wait,” Minerva put a hand on her brother stopping him from transporting. “I want a name?”

  “Jenna,” Mercury smiled before disappearing.

  Minerva stared at the empty space her brother had left with her mouth gaping.

  “Is everything alright?” Jupiter saw her startled expression.

  “I think we might be in for some stormy weather in the next few days,” she sighed. She hoped there was more than one foreigner in the Empire called Jenna, but she knew that unlikely. Three brothers after the same woman spelled a whole heap of trouble. Perhaps she should warn Mercury about Jenna, to stop him getting hurt. And by hurt, she meant from her eldest brother.

  Jenna was looking forward to the ride back to Laumus, Hector was such a delight to be around. He didn’t attempt any seduction techniques or false flattery, he was just fun and entertaining.

  He caught up with them just as they were starting out. “You must know these roads well?” Luke asked.

  “Not down south as much. Most my travels take me north.”

  “How far north?” Jenna queried.

  “When I say I travel all over, I really mean it. I’ve been as far north as Germania and all the way west through Spain. I do believe you both are very well travelled.”

  “Yes,” Luke smiled. “We’ve done our fair share.”

  “Are your family based in Rome?” Jenna asked.

  “Yes,” Mercury grunted.

  Jenna laughed. “Let me guess, you don’t often play happy families.”

  “My family is extensive and we do not get on very well at all.”

  “That is quite usual for large families. I know of one myself where most of the siblings fight constantly.”

  The ride was quite beautiful, the sun was still low in the sky and the heat quite bearable. It was going to be a most pleasant journey.

  “Is it usual for women to ride where you are from?” Hector asked.

  “Yes, it is quite normal there.”

  Jenna fell silent and let Luke and Hector talk for the next while about Roman business. It was good to hear Luke get so animated in conversation with a Roman.

  She saw the change in Hector’s body language almost instantly. The relaxed stance stiffened and his hand went straight to his sword.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked.

  “It looks like we could have trouble up ahead. Stay behind me.”

  Jenna leant over to Luke. “Have you got that dagger handy?”

  He passed it over to her. “You use this better than I.”

  The road was blocked by a cart and a few men seemingly trying to move it. They stopped what they were doing and focused on the three new comers, realising they might be able to relieve them of some decent purses. They were certainly out of luck with Jenna and Luke, they had nothing.

  “Step aside,” Hector instructed.

  “Now why would we do that?” one scruffy individual announced.

  “It is usual to let nobles pass.”

  “You ain’t in Rome, my lord. This is the provinces where us regular folk get to give the orders.”

  Jenna saw Hector dismount and followed suit, handing the reigns of her horse to Luke. “Keep hold of this.”

  “What do you think you’re doing?” Hector hissed at her. “I can handle these few ruffians.”

  “When I said I could handle a sword, I was not joking,” she smiled.

  “Without wanting to state the obvious, you’re not carrying a sword.”

  “I soon will be. Besides, I’m here to watch your back.”

  “And how are you finding it?” he joked. “I think my butt is particularly cute.”

  Jenna burst out laughing, it was the last thing she expected him to say in such a tense moment. It was obvious he was more relaxed than he looked.

  “They have a pretty lady with them too,” one of the men piped up. “Perhaps we should relieve them of her as well as their purses.”

  As soon as the men made their move, Hector and Jenna swung into action. She disabled the first man to come at her and removed his sword, evening up the odds. A few minutes later, a heap of bruised and bleeding bodies lay at the side of the road.

  Hector looked back quizzically at Luke who was still mounted.

  “You might have noticed that Jenna does the fighting for both of us. She is particularly aggressive,” Luke shrugged.

  “She certainly fights in a most unusual style,” Hector acknowledged.

  As Jenna mounted back up, Hector was watching her curiously. Minerva had often spoken about a woman she had met who mixed classical sword fighting with Oriental body moves. And that was definitely what he had seen from Jenna. Could they by chance be the same person? Then he recalled the look of surprise on Minerva’s face when he had mentioned Jenna’s name. They must be one of the same.

  The rest of the ride was trouble free, with Luke and Hector doing most of the talking. Jenna for once was happy to just admire the stunning landscape. She was actually quite disappointed when they arrived at the gates to the Laumus Estate.


  “Sadly this is where I must leave you,” Hector sighed.

  “Perhaps we might see you in Rome,” Luke suggested.

  “Where can I find you?”