She knew I had called her bluff, and put the knife back in its sheath. "I don't make new friends," she mumbled. "Or keep any."
Hardly a surprise. "What about those children?"
"They're trying to stay out of slavery, and I help them. That's all."
"Where are they going?"
"To other safe havens. But don't ask where because I don't think you should know."
I didn't think so either. Radulf could speak inside my mind, and I worried that he might also have the power to read it. I hoped not, but until I was sure, I wouldn't ask for information I shouldn't have.
"Why do you stay in Rome?" I asked. "If you're as strong as everyone says, then leave."
Aurelia bowed her head and her fingers traveled to the crepundia around her neck. Nothing more needed to be said. I understood now. Her family was here, somewhere. Just as my sister must be here too. Somewhere.
"Listen, I'm sorry that happened below," I said. "I had no idea Radulf knew where I was, or that he could do something like that."
"And I'm sorry I didn't believe you. When I take you to Horatio, we'll convince him of how dangerous Radulf is."
My mouth literally fell open. Either she was evil or completely insane because I was pretty sure I had just proven how difficult it would be to force me to do anything. That said, when I stood, my legs were wobbly and Aurelia came closer to assist me. Before she could, I locked my knees and turned away. Every time she helped me, my situation got worse, which was no small accomplishment since it had started out pretty close to the bottom.
"You walk like you have two broken legs," Aurelia said. "How are you going to run from me if you can't walk?"
"I'm not going to run," I said. "But I won't obey you either. I'll never have a master again."
Aurelia hesitated and then smiled sideways at me. "Finally, you're beginning to make sense."
Well, it wouldn't last long. Because the idea I was about to propose defied any logic. Hopefully, it was worth the risk. "If you're going to find your family, then you need money, right?"
"I need a lot more than what you could pay me."
"How much is Senator Horatio offering for me?"
"It's not about the money, Nic. I really think he will help you."
I snorted. Maybe he wouldn't try to drown me in a cistern like Radulf had, but ... actually, maybe Horatio would. According to him, I was only a filthy slave boy.
Aurelia rolled her eyes. "It's five hundred denarii. But even if there were no reward, I'd still take you to him, for everyone's safety, including yours. Who knows what damage you'll cause next?"
Certainly, I didn't know, and for that reason, I had a hard time arguing with her. But that didn't mean I would cooperate. Not the way she wanted anyway.
"Maybe we can help each other," I said.
Her brows pressed together. "How?"
"I think Senator Valerius took my sister from the mines, at my request. I don't know my way around Rome, especially with everyone looking for me. I don't know the customs here, and I don't know how to control the magic. I need your help to find Valerius." I drew in a shallow breath, one that chilled my lungs and sent shudders through me. "If you can take me to him, then afterward I will go with you to Horatio. He'll give you your reward money."
She frowned, obviously skeptical. "Just like that?"
"No, not just like that. I have to be sure my sister is safe, and I hope that Valerius will help me get my freedom from the emperor. Then Horatio won't be able to touch me."
"Horatio is the presiding magistrate of the Senate. If anyone can convince the emperor to spare your life, it's him. I'm sure he can help you."
My eyes narrowed. "Don't pretend to care about what happens to me. All you want is the money. Well, you'll get it. But you have to help me first."
Her eyes shifted to the bulla folded in my palm. "What happens to that?"
"I don't know." Radulf would kill me for it, the emperor too, and probably Horatio. Which meant Aurelia might do the same, especially if we ran into any problems on our way to finding Valerius. I shrugged and said, "I'll keep it until I find my sister. I might need it, especially if Radulf tries anything else. But when this is all over, I'll be glad to get rid of it. It's brought me nothing but trouble."