Vestal Virgin (Suspense in Ancient Rome) by Tyrpak Suzanne

Author:Tyrpak, Suzanne [Tyrpak, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Adytum
Published: 2010-12-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER XXII

Elissa, Marcia, and Cornelia stood before the Vestal Maxima. Elissa’s gaze followed the carpet’s familiar pattern. Since Junia’s death, the colors seemed less vibrant, and she noticed a threadbare spot. Cubbyholes still lined the library’s walls, stuffed with books and documents, but somehow they seemed emptier. Death, Justinus had said in his last letter, transforms the soul, preparing us for God.

“We all miss Priestess Junia, but the time of mourning is over.” Mother Amelia straightened the wax tablets covering her desk, and settled in her curule chair. “I’ve called you here to discuss—” She glanced around the room. “Where is Priestess Angerona?”

Elissa glanced at the doorway.

For the past month she and Angerona had barely spoken. When they did, they quarreled over minor irritations—how the fire should be laid, the correct format of a document, whether or not it would rain. They never spoke of Justinus. Never mentioned Marcus.

“She was present at the midday meal,” Marcia said.

“I hate pea-soup.” Cornelia wrinkled her nose. “I wish the cook would go back to barley—”

“Angerona took no soup,” Marcia said. “Only bread and cheese. A little watered wine, I think. No honey. And no almond cake.”

“You had a third helping,” Cornelia said.

“Little girls should be seen and not—”

“Thank you, Marcia,” said Mother Amelia, ending the discussion. “We shall begin our meeting without Priestess Angerona. I’m pleased to announce the Pontifex Maximus and the Collegiate of Pontiffs proclaims our sanctuary purified. It’s time for us to continue business as usual.”

She dipped her hand into her bowl of sweets, popped a nut into her mouth. “As you know, another priestess must be selected to join our ranks. As is our tradition, the new priestess will be determined by lottery. The Pontifex Maximus has nominated twenty candidates.”

“Who?” Marcia demanded. “I know every family of consequence and—”

The curtain opened, and the vestals turned to see who entered. Angerona, her veil askew, her stola rumpled, swept into the library. She bobbed in deference to the Vestal Maxima then took her place, not beside Elissa, as once she would have done, but next to Marcia.

“Where have you been?” Mother Amelia asked.

“Fighting dragons, killing snakes.”

Angerona looked at Elissa, and Elissa’s stomach tightened.

“Speak in plain Latin,” Mother Amelia said.

“I was on a mission.”

“To what end?”

“As I’ve mentioned in the past, but you’ve chosen to ignore, I suspect corruption within the House of Vestals.”

Mother Amelia leaned over her desk. “False allegations will not be tolerated.”

“The allegation isn’t false. A month ago I followed Elissa Rubria and Gallus Justinus into the Subura—”

“And I haven’t seen him since,” Elissa said.

“But you’ve been exchanging letters, haven’t you? You and Justinus are lovers.”

“That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?”

“Silence!” Mother Amelia slammed her bowl of sweets on the desktop, and candied nuts went flying. “This meeting is over. Don’t stray from the house, Priestess Angerona. After I speak to Elissa, I will speak with you.”

“I’m sure our conversation will be stimulating.”

“Go.” Mother Amelia pointed toward the doorway.

Angerona stalked out of the library, followed by Marcia—redder in the face than usual.

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