Wrath of the Storm (Mark of the Thief 3)

the Mistress continues to serve Diana, we shall continue to serve her." He turned his attention to Crispus. "Son of Senator Valerius, do you serve the Mistress too? After all, you are a Praetor now, a judge, just as I am."

"I am a Praetor." One cautious step at a time, Crispus moved closer to my side. "But I'm nothing like you, and I will not serve the Mistress."

"Why not? Didn't she preserve your life and the life of your betrothed? Did you think there was no price for that protection?"

He held out the armband, and now I saw it better. Thin, silver, and in the shape of a curved arrow, it was the symbol of the Praetor's worship of Diana and provided them power to take my magic. It was intended for Crispus to wear.

He shook his head. "While Diana stands in rebellion against the other gods, I cannot swear any loyalty to her. And I will not help you bring harm to my friends."

Brutus smiled. "But that is the point, son of Valerius. Your cooperation might be the only way to save your friends. The slave boy can handle himself, this is true, but what about the girl inside the tunnels? Only you know where your betrothed is." He tilted his head. "She is still promised to you, yes?"

As carefully as he had moved before, Crispus nodded.

"And so she is safe ... if you are one of us. But if you are not, then her life might be in terrible danger at this very moment. Perhaps some hidden threat awaits her in the darkness of that tunnel. Do you understand me?"

Radulf's life was equally at risk, I guessed. The choice to save them was being offered to Crispus.

He leaned toward me. "What would you have me do?"

As long as no Praetor got a hand on me, I'd defeat every man here. But the Malice's protection might not extend to Crispus, and it certainly didn't help Aurelia and Radulf.

Brutus walked closer to Crispus with the armband still held out. "Accept this now, become one of us, and we will leave in peace. You will allow the slave boy to find his grandfather, and perhaps save their lives. Or reject my generous offer, and force us to fight."

Crispus stepped back until he was almost behind me, though I had far more reason than him to avoid the Praetors. "Nic?"

"Go with them," I muttered.

"They will never have my loyalty, no matter what." His voice was firm, but he did sheath his sword.

"Go with them," I repeated. "Every moment we waste here risks all our lives."

"I'm sorry." Crispus scuffed his boot against the ground, barely looking at me as he walked up to Brutus.

"Kneel," Brutus commanded him.

Crispus hesitated a moment, and his hands were balled into fists when he finally obeyed. Brutus lifted Crispus's right arm and slid Diana's band above the elbow, then pressed on the edges to tighten it.

"Now you are truly a Praetor," Brutus said. "A servant of the goddess Diana, and a patron of the Mistress. You and your family are under her protection, and ours."

Crispus and his family. That meant his mother ... and his future wife. As long as she remained promised to Crispus, Aurelia would be safe.

Crispus stood and immediately looked back at me. "Radulf is deeper in the temple. Call for Aurelia, and she'll guide you to her. You need to hurry."

I stared at him, trying to assess whether he was still a friend. I knew he valued our friendship, as did I. But the greatest danger to my life was in the form of a silver band that was now wrapped around his arm. He had become one of them. In some ways, so had Aurelia, I supposed.

"Go," Crispus said.

I turned from him and raised one hand of warning, filled with magic that wanted to force the Praetors aside, but they were already parting for me along a deep passage that was blackened by fire. This must be where the Mistress had taken refuge. It was also where I'd find Radulf. I hoped he was still alive.

Still in the main room behind me, Brutus called for his Praetors to follow him, announcing that they would go in search of the Mistress. I hoped they would try their best to find her, and all drown in the process. Except Crispus. Except Crispus, probably. I didn't know exactly how I felt about him at the moment. But whether Crispus helped them search for her or not, I doubted they'd have much luck.

At least they were leaving, as Brutus had promised.

Without another look back, I raced down the passageway. It was narrow and dark and felt like a trap. It probably wasn't -- Praetors were running past me, away from Aurelia and Radulf as I hurried toward them. But that didn't change the growing feeling within me of being drawn into a space I wouldn't easily escape.

"Aurelia!" I called.

I hadn't gone very far before I heard her desperate reply. "Nic? Where are you? Hurry! Nic, what's been happening?"