My skin crawled at the sensation of being followed. I turned my head sharply, but it was impossible to pick out anyone from the throngs of people in the market.
"Let's keep moving," I said. Getting to a really crowded area could help shake the feeling. And whoever was behind us. "Maybe we can find some street performers to watch."
I led us quickly through the market, taking random turns. Saturnia eventually caught on that something was wrong, but she didn't stop to demand an explanation.
"Want to tell me what's going on, Max?"
"It's probably nothing. But it just felt like someone was following us."
She frowned. "So what do we do?"
"I'm not sure. But I'm thinking we can lose them in a more crowded space."
"What do you mean you don't know! Your father's the great Felix Vita."
I rolled my eyes. "He taught me how to win in a fight, not shake off someone tracking us, Sat. And I'd rather not fight someone if I don't have to right now."
Several street performers had taken position up ahead and I forced our way through the crowd of onlookers. We passed by one of them and for the briefest moment, I made eye contact with the juggler. It was the one we had chased about two weeks ago. He did a double take and one of the apples he had in the air bounced off his head.
“Oh, it's you! Sorry about that.”
"Y-you!" he choked in surprise.
And then we were swept by the crowd and he was gone from view. We emerged through the other side of the square and ducked behind some bushes.
"So, how long should we stay here?"
I shrugged. "Let's just give it a little bit. Either they find us or they give up."
"Fine." Saturnia sat down cross-legged and plucked at the grass. A passing dog stopped to sniff our sandals before trotting off to find whatever food it smelled on them. "Any new updates with your smoothie bar?"
"It's been pretty tame lately. Slowly getting people to try those ingredients from Solis."
She laughed. "Oh, that's right. You're convinced they're going to become the next greatest flavors. Where's Felix now on the list?"
"Let's see." I scrunched my eyes shut to picture the menu. "He had the twins' drinks and the Fortuna. He liked the apples and ground hazelnut of the Pax. The Pluto's just mostly pomegranates, and he didn't seem to mind the rosehip and blackberries of the Flora. The only one he hates is the one with beet juice." I giggled.
"You know, Max, I really adore the relationship the two of you share. You've come a long way from that desperate, angry kid you used to be."
I cringed. "Don't remind me."
Shifting into a crouch, I slowly peeked over the bushes to look around. Nothing looked strange. I jumped straight up while keeping my eyes open. But no one seemed to dart out of view or look sharply away.
"I think we're okay now, " I said. Saturnia stood up, brushing off her tunic. I retrieved my gift from where I had stored it and held out my hand. "And I have something for you."
Suspicious, she held out her hand and I put the scarab on her palm. Saturnia gasped when she saw it, looking at me in dismay.
"But I was supposed to get you something."
I winked. "Think of this as thanks for helping me out with the shop."
She opened her mouth to argue and then closed it. A small smile curled her lips as she inspected the pin. Truthfully, I had so much more than just that to thank her for.
"I still owe you something."
I fished for a coin and held it out. "The first one I ever made at Invictus Shakes. Maybe you can have it set into a necklace for me."
Saturnia took it solemnly. "Deal."
We resumed walking when several figures stepped out from around the corner. I halted, putting my arm out to stop Saturnia. Three men stood before us and I recognized them from the confrontation the other day, although the third one, the black-haired man, wasn't with them this time. They spread out slightly to block our path. Her eyes darted to each of them anxiously and I shifted to stand in front of her, glancing behind us.
"Look at who we have here." Tatius strolled towards us. "It's the little smoothie girl."
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
Scipio crossed his arms. "We found out who you are. That gladiator's kid."
I scoffed. “It was never a secret.”
"Regardless, your daddy's not here to protect you," the magistrate's son sighed regretfully.
Livius glowered at me. "And neither is that bitch."
"Sounds like she made you the bitch," Saturnia blurted out from behind me before clapping a hand over her mouth.
I groaned inwardly.
He started towards her, livid, but Scipio put a hand on his chest to hold him back. "She's not our target. At least, not yet."
I glanced around, deliberating our options. We could run away, but I honestly didn't think we'd get very far. Especially Saturnia, while wearing these full-length tunics. We could try screaming, but again the hum from the crowd and the shouts of excitement would probably make us go unnoticed. Our best bet would be for me to distract them while giving her enough time to run away and maybe get help.
Scipio turned to me. "But did you think you could just get away with insulting us?”
“Insult you?” I nearly laughed. “Of course reminding you to be upstanding was taken as an insult.”
"Why don't you go run to your daddy after and see what happens. We'll go after your pretty, pretty friend here." Livius looked us both over slowly—far too slowly—with a mean glint in his eyes.
I grit my teeth.
Saturnia made a sound. “Gross. And you said they claimed gladiators had no honor?” she snipped.
“That's for those who deserve it.” Tatius walked right up to me. His casual relaxed movements were of someone who felt in complete control. He smiled down at me, almost benevolently.
"And even if you do tell him, he's still just an old arena rat. I wonder how many patrician beds he's visited or how many other siblings you have. I bet your mother went wild for him, the same as an animal. And he tamed her like a beast. But it seems she came to her senses and dumped you off with a bunch of desperate men."
Saturnia gasped behind me and my fingers curled into fists.
"Careful now, Tatius." Scipio chuckled. "You made her mad."
"Do not. Ever. Speak of my father that way again," I seethed in a ragged voice. He'd more than crossed the line and I wanted to make him pay. My caution flickered.
He laughed, tilting my chin up. "Or what?"
I didn't take my eyes from his as my hand snaked up to grab his and twist. For a second, he blinked in amused disbelief and opened his mouth, half-turning to his friends. And then I applied pressure. Hard. Suddenly, I had his undivided attention as the words from his throat caught in an agonized croak. He hunched, trying to lessen the pain.
"Or I make you hurt in ways that will leave no mark." I leaned over him.
The other two tensed and started to rush forward. But I twisted harder, forcing Tatius onto his knees with a faint cry. It was the move Felix had demonstrated earlier, except without the shield.
"Any closer and I break his wrist." I was inclined to do it anyway. The rage burned hot in my veins. These bastards didn't even measure up to what my father's missing finger was worth as men.
They halted.
"Do that and your life is over," he snarled.
My thumb shifted forward ever so slightly and he whimpered in pain. I could see his eyes begging for relief even as he twisted his mouth to hold it in.
"Are you going to run to your own father and complain? That you outnumbered someone untrained like me? That someone—what—held your hand? And just a girl, too?"
"Let go of me," Tatius said through a clenched jaw.
I thought about it. "If you can convince me."
"How, you cunne?" He tried to stifle a groan.
"It's not a good idea to call me a cunt right now, but let me think," I retorted, tapping my chin.
I really had no need for money, especially if it wasn't earned by myself; I didn't even accept Felix's help with starting Invictus Shakes. I had taken out a loan, telling him it was a challenge I set for myself before he could feel hurt. He'd changed his tune completely when I had told him I felt like I had accomplished nothing in my own name. I felt a little guilty, but it wasn't entirely untrue. No, what I wanted was the harder wealth to come by. One that helped us before, discovered completely by chance.
I wanted information.
"Tell me something interesting. Something only a magistrate would know. And no, I don't want personal secrets. I may love gossip, but I have no interest in getting to know any of you in that way."
"Alright. Fuck, alright," he growled through the pain.
I eased up ever so slightly. "Good boy." I grinned.
Tatius bared his teeth at me. If looks could kill...he'd still be here with his whole arm twisted.
"I heard—I heard that the Senate is debating if there should be another territory brought to us soon."
I nearly dropped his hand in shock. He told me far more information with that than he probably meant to. That meant the Senate—to some degree at least—could control what was believed to be a mystery of the gods.
"That's certainly interesting," I said calmly. Satisfied, I released my hold, but not before I slapped his face. “That's for my father, you fili canis.”
He snarled again and lurched to his feet, retreating a step while cradling his hand.
I pointed my finger at Livius next who looked ready to lose control. "Save it for the arranged fight. This is so childish. What you think you're doing here, standing up for your good name, is all I did then and just now. Go call upon your father, I don't care. But once word gets out about what his son tried to do here, I don't think he'll like that damaging his reputation."
They said nothing as they glared at me. Scipio worked his jaw.
"So carry on with your business and I'll do the same.” I reached out to grab Saturnia to hide my shaking hand. "Come on, let's go."
We walked away in silence together. Soon, the forum and its markets were behind us as we returned to the residential districts.
"Wow, you weren't wrong about them," she said. "I really thought you were going to let them have it when they insulted Felix like that!"
I shook my head, rubbing my temple. "I wanted to, Sat. So badly. But the last thing I want to do is bring trouble on his head. Especially with people like that. Or endanger you."
She was quiet for a moment. "I'm afraid that's not the last you'll hear from them between now and that fight. But I'm also certain your father would tell you not to worry about him. I wonder how he or Prax will react, though."
What do you think about how Max handled that confrontation?
