“What needs doing,” he said and yanked her roughly aside.
“Atretes, please . . .”
“Feed the babe and get him ready to travel.”
“Atretes, don’t. . . .”
The door clicked shut behind him.
When Rizpah tried to open it, Atretes pulled it shut again and locked it. “Be silent,” he commanded when she called his name again.
* * *
Atretes went down the steps quickly and strode through the atrium. He took the corridor that led to the gymnasium instead of the one leading to the front door. He would deal with Gallus later. Right now, he had to prevent word from getting to Sertes.
He took a framea from the wall as he passed through the gymnasium. He strode into the baths, passed between the pools, and went outside to the back gate. When he was beyond the wall, he ran along it, around to the south side, away from the road, where Gallus and Silus wouldn’t take notice of him.
He caught up quickly to the man Gallus had spoken to by the gate. He was alone on the road and walking fast, carrying his information to Sertes. Atretes recognized him from the ludus.
“Gaius!” he called, and the man turned sharply. When he saw Atretes, he froze one split second before he started to run. His hesitation proved fatal, for the framea hit him in midstep and sent him crashing forward into the dust.
Grabbing the dead man by the arm, Atretes dragged him off the road and left his body behind some brush.
Retrieving the framea from the body, Atretes looked up at the sun and judged the time left before sunset. Another two hours. Now that Gallus’ message to Sertes had been circumvented, they could wait for dusk.
* * *
When he opened the door and entered his bedchamber again, Atretes saw Rizpah standing in the shadows near the balcony, looking out. She turned sharply, her face ashen and blotched from weeping.
“Oh, thank God,” Rizpah said, relief washing over her at the sight of him. Gallus was still standing at the gate. “I was so afraid you were going to kill him. I prayed you wouldn’t bring sin upon yourself because of my . . .” Atretes just stood there, staring at her, his face without emotion, his eyes lifeless. Her relief evaporated. “Where did you go?” she said tremulously. “What’s happened?”
He turned from her. “We’ll leave when the sun goes down.” He took the sheathed dagger from the bed and shoved it into his belt. He turned to her again, his eyes like blue glass, cold and lifeless. “Don’t try to warn Gallus. Remember that Caleb’s life is in the balance.”
Filled with tension, Rizpah fed Caleb, washed him and rewrapped him for the journey into the city. Atretes said nothing over the next two hours. She had never known a man to be so silent and still. What was he thinking?
“Stay here,” he commanded and went out into the corridor, shutting the door behind him. She heard him shout for Lagos, and then a moment later, he issued a series of impatient commands. He wanted a sumptuous meal prepared immediately. He wanted Pilia bathed and perfumed. “Tell her she’s to dance for me.”
Rizpah thought he had gone mad.
“How much gold coin is in the villa?”
Lagos told him.
“Bring it to me. I want to count it for myself.”
“Yes, my lord,” Lagos said, accustomed to Atretes strange, dark moods. He departed and returned within a few minutes.
“The back gate was left open this morning,” Rizpah heard Atretes say. “Tell Silus to stand guard there until I tell him otherwise.” Every servant in the household was given something to do. “The gold first. Go!” Atretes said, and Rizpah could hear Lagos’ sandals slapping hastily along the marble-tiled hallway.
Atretes opened the door and strode across the room to take up a plain cloak. Donning it, he then tied the pouch of gold coins inside the heavy leather and brass-studded belt. She realized then what he had done. He had sent the servants on errands that would keep them away from the upper corridor and the atrium. Shaking, Rizpah scooped up Caleb and tied him carefully into her shawl.
“Come,” he said and she followed.
Atretes preceded her watchfully down the steps. No one noticed their departure until they left the house and crossed the barren courtyard.
Gallus came out of the shadows and stood waiting for them.
Her heart pounded heavily as she looked up at Atretes’ cold face. “Atretes—”
“Shut up,” he snapped in a ruthless whisper. “One word out of you and by all the gods, I’ll . . .” He left the threat hanging unfinished in the darkening air.
Gallus moved from his post by the front gate. “Shall I summon Silus and the others, my lord?”
“No. You’ll do.” Atretes stepped past him and pushed the gate open himself. He jerked his head for Gallus to go ahead. Rizpah glanced up, and he caught hold of her arm, squeezing painfully. “When I order you on ahead, you go.”