An Echo in the Darkness(151)
Her words eased his misgivings. “By anyone, you mean me.”
“Yes, my lord.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to say he had accepted the Lord in Galilee, but pride held him from it. “I’m told that you saved my mother’s life.”
“I, my lord? No.”
“Iulius said the physician who came with you suggested my mother’s life be ended with a draught of hemlock. You interceded on her behalf. Is that not so?”
“Your mother lives because it is God’s will she do so.”
“That may be, but Iulius said after you were alone with my mother, she was changed.”
“I spoke with her.”
“Only spoke?”
Hadassah was grateful for the veils that hid the heat that rose into her face. Unlike what she had done with Phoebe, she knew she could never show her face to Marcus. She would rather be sent back to the arena than have him look upon her scars with the same revulsion she had seen in the faces of others.
“I cast no spells, nor did I utter incantations,” she said, thinking it answered the question behind his words.
He held up his hand. He could sense her increased tension but could not fathom the reason for it. “I’m making no accusations, Azar. I’m merely curious. I like to know something about the people in my household.”
She was quiet a moment. “I knew when I looked in your mother’s eyes that she was aware. She heard what was being said and understood. She was afraid and in great distress over her condition. I think she would’ve drunk the hemlock Alexander offered gladly for no other reason than to spare others the responsibility of her care. I simply told her what she already knew.”
“What she knew? What was that?”
“That God loves her, my lord, as she is. And she’s alive for a reason.”
Marcus ran his hand along the edge of the writing table, his thoughts in turmoil. He wanted to know more about this woman. “Iulius tells me you were very well known in Ephesus.”
Hadassah said nothing.
“Why did you give up your position?”
The cold abruptness of his question surprised her. “I chose to be with your sister.”
“Just like that. Why did you change your name?” The question came out harder than he intended.
“Because I am not Rapha. Jesus is the healer, not I,” she said, telling him what she had told Alexander and hoping he would better understand it.
“And Azar is your real name?”
“Azar means ‘helper.’ That’s the position I hold and all I hope to be.”
He caught the careful way she answered. “Why did you choose Julia?”
“I can’t answer that, my lord.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“I know I’m where the Lord wants me. I do not know why he wants me here.”
He frowned darkly, for her words struck him on the raw, bringing back the conviction he had felt in Galilee. God wanted him here also. With Julia. He rebelled against what more he knew God wanted of him.
“I suppose, in your opinion, God loves my sister too and has a purpose for her life, such as it is.” Before she could respond, he waved his hand. “You may go.”
As soon as she did, he rose in frustration.
Perhaps he only needed to get out of the villa for a while. He went out into the corridor.
“Do you want the litter, my lord?” Iulius said, seeing the cloak a servant handed him.
Marcus swung the garment on. “I feel like walking,” he said, fixing the gold brooch at his shoulder. “If Mother awakens and sends for me, tell her I’ve gone to the baths.” He strode to the door and yanked it open. He went down the steps and slammed the gate behind him.
He headed for the men’s club where he had spent much of his time before leaving Ephesus, thinking he might find distraction in renewing old acquaintances. The night air cooled his anger, and by the time he reached his destination, he was relaxed. He was greeted with surprised welcome, his back pounded by half a dozen men he knew.
“We heard you were back in Ephesus, but saw no sign of you,” one said.
“Where have you been keeping yourself, Marcus?”
“No doubt he’s been at his emporium poring over his ledgers to see how much money’s been made during his absence.” They all laughed.
“I heard you went to Palestine.”
“Palestine!” one exclaimed. “By the gods, why would anyone in their right mind go to that wretched country?”
Their exuberant company grated rather than soothed Marcus’ nerves. He laughed with them, but his heart wasn’t in it. He felt as though he was back in Rome with Antigonus, wishing he was anywhere else. Was he the only one who had changed? Was he the only one who sensed the foul corruption eating away at the world?