Blood Never Lies (Mark of Mars) Read online

  MARK OF MARS

  BLOOD NEVER LIES

  BY

  JULIET ANDERSON

  This ebook is a work of fiction. Whilst references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters and incidents within are from the author’s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons. Any similarity is co-incidental.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  EPILOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  Jenna could feel the little soft paw dabbing at her cheek.

  “Go away, Ares,” she yawned. “It’s too early.” She rolled over on her small, hard bed.

  The kitten persisted. When that didn’t work, she felt the edge of his claw prodding her. Her response was to pull the sheet over her head. A few minutes later she let out a squeal as he sunk his razor sharp baby teeth into her foot.

  “You little monster,” she sat up examining the puncture wound. Ares rubbed himself up against her hand.

  She picked up the black bundle of fluff and ignored the snickering coming from across the room. “Perhaps Hades would have been a better name,” Amelia chuckled. “As you’re up, I’ll have coffee and fresh croissant.”

  “Ha bloody ha,” Jenna grunted. “It’s water and dry sweetbread.”

  “Oh yummy.”

  “If you’re really nice to Ares, he might share his latest catch with you.”

  “Sadly I prefer my meat hot not raw,” Amelia stretched and threw back the sheet. “Another day in paradise.”

  Jenna splashed water on her face, changed into her robes and headed out into the main temple to begin her chores. Not that it was that strenuous keeping Apollo’s temple clean. She wandered out onto the steps and watched Rome stir to life. It was a beautiful time of the morning, the sun was up and people were starting to file out onto the streets.

  “What mayhem are you planning on causing today?” Amelia materialised by her side.

  Jenna poked out her tongue. “You know I never plan it. Trouble just seems to follow me.”

  “Tell me about it,” her friend snorted. “But at least with you dating Rome’s most senior military figure, I have my get out of jail free card.”

  “I don’t think Romans date,” Jenna smirked.

  “Well whatever you’re doing, keep it up. It means the gorgeous Augustus gets to spend more time with us. Me actually.”

  “I shall do my best to keep your dashing centurion by your side.” Jenna bent down and picked up Ares who was pawing at the bottom of her robe. She noticed the puncture wound had disappeared already. She plonked the kitten on her shoulder who promptly started to chew her hair. “Bloody hell,” she pulled a face. “Kitten breath.”

  “Do you think he’s trying to tell you he’s hungry?”

  “Probably. But we have nothing suitable for him. I might have to drop by Marcus’ later to see if he has any scraps for him.”

  “Now there’s an excuse, if ever I’ve heard one,” Amelia laughed.

  “Shut it. He gave me the cat, so he can help feed it. Especially as Professor Daniels wouldn’t let me bring any Whiskas pouches back.”

  Jenna headed inside and started to sweep the temple floor. Her mind drifted to Marcus, as it frequently did. She wondered what he was doing at that precise moment. She had no idea what his usual morning routine was, what time he got up, what he did. Yes, she’d stayed at his villa when she had been injured in the attack on Emperor Trajan, but she’d been asleep most of it.

  Amelia broke her day dreaming. “Hey, Cassandra’s back. We can go to the Baths now.”

  “Yes,” Jenna beamed. It was her favourite time of day. The Baths of Trajan were spectacular, even their private chamber there was stunning. It was like heading to a spa every day.

  Wash, oiled and feeling sublime, Jenna floated out the Baths. A young visitor was waiting for them.

  “Julius, what are you going here?” Amelia spoke to Augustus’ young brother.

  “I found some food for Ares,” he held up a piece of dried looking meat proudly. “Can I feed him?”

  “Of course,” Jenna rested her hand on his shoulder affectionately. “I think he’s only had my hair to eat this morning.”

  Julius giggled and walked back to the temple with them, chattering non-stop as they went. “Jupiter hasn’t answered my prayer about my father yet, so I’m going to try something new.”

  “How do you know he hasn’t answered it yet? It’s a long way from Britannia to Rome. It could take your father a while to get back home.”

  “According to Augustus, dispatches are received regularly from Britannia. If father was being returned to Rome, we would have had notification.”

  “A bright little rabbit, aren’t we?” Jenna fluffed his hair. “We’ll have to keep working on it.” She made a mental note to speak to Marcus next time she had him alone. Saying that, when they were alone, there wasn’t much conversation going on!

  “Are you going anywhere this afternoon? Can I come with you?”

  “Don’t you have any errands to run for your mother?” Jenna asked.

  “No.”

  “Does she know where you are?”

  “She’s at work,” he shrugged.

  In other words no, Jenna sighed to herself. “Very well, you can come with us. We’ll only be feeding the street children. But you should have told her you were coming over here. She might worry about you.”

  “She never asks where I am.”

  Ares was delighted with his offering from Julius and the pair played on the steps for an age until the kitten finally fell asleep. Jenna was conflicted about what to do with Julius. It was too far for him to go home then come back again. Cassandra came to her rescue.

  “Julius, did you want to run an errand for me?” she asked the child.

  He nodded eagerly.

  “I have a package that needs delivering to the Temple of Mars. Are you able to take it for me?”

  “I know where that is. Jenna took me,” he beamed.

  Cassandra handed him the package. “Give this to one of the temple staff for me, and when you come back, you can help yourself to some food.”

  “He really is so cute,” Jenna sighed watching the young boy run off happily with the package clasped in his hands.

  “I personally find his brother cuter,” Amelia grinned mischievously. “Cute genes definitely run in their family.”

  “We haven’t seen the boys in red today. Activity on the street must have calmed.”

  “Yes. Tensions seemed to have finally simmered after the assassination attempt on the Emperor. I think it has gone back to the usual, rioting for better conditions for the poor.”

  Julius carried the basket laden with bread for them as Jenna and Amelia walked to their usual destination to feed the street children. It had become such a regular part of their day, the children expected them and would compla
in most loudly if they missed a day. As usual, they were mobbed when they reached the small dilapidated square.

  “Easy,” Jenna said warmly. “One at a time. We have plenty for everyone.” She and Amelia handed over their goods, checking each child as they did for cuts that needed cleaning, or wounds that needed tending to. Most appeared to be in good shape.

  “All seems remarkably quiet at the moment,” she ruffled Bartoz’ hair. “Have the riots stopped?”

  He shook his head. “There are some centurions not far from here.”

  “Not giving you trouble, were they?”

  He shook his head again.

  “Has the Marshall been seen recently?”

  “Not around here,” Bartoz squeaked.

  Amelia let out a snicker. “I guess he is one person that is not easy to miss. An icy cold atmosphere and deathly hush spreads over the streets when he’s patrolling them.”

  The little boy giggled. “He is scary.”

  Very hot was the word Jenna would have used to describe him. Hot in looks and temper. She noticed a few people had come into the square, but paid them no attention. A temple handmaiden was rarely ever harassed or troubled.

  “Ain’t she the one the Marshall runs after like a dog on heat?” a very scruffy looking man said loudly.

  Jenna ignored him. She was only here for the children.

  “You’re right. He likes a young temple maiden.”

  “Maiden might not be so appropriate anymore,” someone sniggered.

  Perhaps it was time to leave before she did something she regretted. “We’ll hopefully see you again tomorrow, children.” Jenna stood up and picked up the basket.

  “I don’t think we want to let you leave,” the taller of the men spoke. “As the Marshall has such a fancy for you, we thinks we might use you for a bit of bargaining.”

  “What?” Jenna looked at him like he had landed from another planet.

  “I think they want to take you hostage,” Amelia translated, stepping a fraction closer to Jenna.

  “Oh really. And how do you propose doing that?” Jenna responded scathingly.

  They drew their swords. Amelia saw the corners of Jenna’s mouth twitch. It had been a few days since she had got into a decent fight.

  “Don’t even think about it,” Amelia hissed.

  “I don’t have to,” Jenna smiled guiltily. “It’s ingrained.” She looked straight at the men. “Allow the children to leave the square first, this is no longer a safe place for them to be.”

  The lead man nodded. Jenna looked at Julius. “Get going.”

  “I will stay and fight with you,” he said bravely.

  “And you would do me proud,” she whispered. “But get Bartoz to show you were the centurions are and bring them to us.”

  He nodded and shot off.

  “Will you allow my friend to leave as well?”

  “No. Two temple handmaidens are better than one,” he grinned maliciously.

  “Stay well behind me,” Jenna ordered Amelia before removing the dagger strapped to her thigh. “Well, which one of you is brave enough to take me on?”

  “She thinks she looks scary with that little dagger,” the lead man snickered and advanced. A few seconds later, he lay bleeding on the ground.

  Jenna relieved him of his sword. “Anyone else?”

  Two came at her. She was kind of enjoying a good sword fight as they weren’t totally unskilled. Someone grabbed her around the waist from behind. She instinctively threw her head back, hitting him hard on the bridge of the nose.

  “Damn it, Jenna. Not my nose again,” Marcus barked.

  She turned, her stomach fluttering as her eyes rested on a vision in black. Albeit a vision with a bleeding nose. “Sorry, how was I supposed to know it was you?”

  He swore loudly and pulled her out the way as his soldiers dealt with the other men who were left. Augustus was already with Amelia, who looked decidedly happier.

  “Are you unhurt?” his black eyes gazed down at her.

  “I’m fine. How did you know we were here?”

  “Julius tracked us down.”

  “For once he did what he was told,” Jenna smiled. “Where is he?”

  “Safe in the next street. And in very grave danger of getting quite the ear bashing from his brother. What was he doing in this part of the city?”

  “He was with us. Had he not been, Amelia might not have remained unscathed.” Jenna spoke loud enough so Augustus could hear. He shook his head in response.

  “Come, I will take you back to your temple. Hercules is just in the next street.”

  Jenna was aware his hand was still resting on her waist as he led her to his horse. “How is my favourite cutie?” she rubbed Hercules’ nose.

  “For the last time, woman, he is a war horse, not a pampered pet.”

  “He is obviously mistreating you,” Jenna cooed. “Such a magnificent specimen should be pampered.” Hercules was loving the attention and rubbed his head against her fondly.

  “You have totally ruined him,” Marcus groaned.

  “Your master is in such a grump today,” Jenna rubbed the horse’s ears.

  “Maybe because he is getting the touch I so crave.”

  “Well, why did you say so? If you’re a good boy, I’ll rub your ears too. Given the state of your nose, I might stay clear of that.”

  Marcus laughed. “Have dinner with me tonight? Then you can stroke whatever part of me you wish.”

  Jenna threw him a firm look. “Behave.”

  “Just dinner then?” He stood way too close for her blood pressure. “It has been an age since we were alone.”

  Staring into those black eyes, she could refuse him nothing. Besides, she desperately wanted to kiss him, but it was not a good idea in public view. Not seemly behaviour for a temple handmaiden.

  “Fine. Dinner it is. When you pick me up, can you bring some scraps for Ares? Poor little critter has resorted to eating my hair he is so hungry.”

  “Does he not like to catch his own food?”

  “No. He prefers to be waited on.”

  Marcus mounted up and swung Jenna up behind him. She noticed Amelia was already ahead of them on Augustus’ horse, and Julius with another centurion. Guess the young boy got the excitement he was looking for.

  CHAPTER 2

  Flopped on a couch next to Marcus as they ate dinner was Jenna’s idea of bliss. Actually, there wasn’t that much eating going on, more like an awful lot of kissing. But it had been a while since they had this level of privacy.

  Jenna broke away from him as his stomach growled noisily. “I really should let you eat.” She picked up a morsel of chicken and fed it to him.

  “Food is overrated,” he grinned as he licked her fingers.

  “You’re Marshall of the Peace. We cannot have you fading due to lack of food in the midst of a riot.”

  “I can go a while without eating, so have no fear on that account.” He dropped a piece of white fish into her mouth.

  He stared into his wine for a few moments, it was a clear sign he wanted to ask her something but did not know if he should. “There is something you want to say?”

  “We have not discussed your recent trip to Arula. How was it?”

  Jenna had been expecting a grilling some time. He knew about her time travelling, what time period they were from, but had not asked about her latest trip home.

  “It was fine. I went back largely for a medical check. I also needed to hand in a report on my time in Rome.” She gave him her best seductive look. “Obviously with sections missed out. Then I caught up with some old friends I have not heard from in a while and had my fill of certain food and drink I cannot get here.”

  “Did your friends visit?”

  “No,” she smiled. “None of them live on Arula. We have a way to communicate with people without them being in the same room. For example, I could use a special device to speak to someone in Britannia or even further afield.”

  “D
o you miss things from home?”

  “Yes and no. We are, I guess, a very pampered society. We have devices to do many of our chores. I use things to dry my hair quickly, heat my food up, clean the mess I make. We pay a fortune to visit somewhere as magical as the Baths of Trajan. Something like that is a luxury. Life here is exciting. I have studied Roman history for most my life, I feel I know so much about the city. But in fact I know nothing. History does not tell you about everyday experiences here, the hardships and highlights.”