Silk and Steel (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free PDF Page A

indignation.'
    He left for the barracks, leaving her ashamed.
     
    * * * *
     
    That evening, long after dark, he returned, swaying a little on his feet and smelling of cheap wine. Relieved he had come back to her, Corinna scurried about, fetching water for him to wash, and tid-bits of food. She was careful to ask him no questions beyond those concerned with his comfort.
    Soon he tottered to their single bedroom and retired, blowing out the oil lamp, leaving her to undress in the dark. When she climbed into bed he rolled onto her, gave her a sleepy kiss, then turned away. She heard his long, sleeping breaths.
    Stark awake, she lay beside him, still unable to pray for Joseph, son of Peter, who had given her hope and purpose when no one else had treated her as a living human being.
    What can I do? A tear ran down into her hair, then another.
    Her master, whom she loved, had killed her priest, whom she also loved.
    Whatever Silvinus Cato urged, there was no question of revenge. It was against the deepest tenants of her faith. It was wrong.
    So why did her former master want her to slay Decimus in his sleep?
    Such a tidy word, 'slay,' conveying none of the horror and anguish and blood. People like Silvinus Cato, who had never truly faced death, were glib in their descriptions of killing. She understood why Decimus never spoke of it, why he wanted to shield her from the arena and had never wanted her there, watching. He understood she was no Roman, baying for blood.
    Silvinus Cato was Roman, right enough. He was cold and ambitious and keen to rise in politics. When Joseph had first brought him to their secret Christian meetings, she had disliked it, distrusting Silvinus. Joseph had exhorted her to be tolerant, show forgiveness of a Roman and his upbringing. The priest had always believed Silvinus Cato would become more Christian than Roman. Joseph had been pleased when Silvinus had bought her from Piso. ‘ He will be a decent master, ’ he ’ d told her.
    But not a kind one , Corinna had thought, and she had been right.
    Decimus was kind. Kind to her, kind to street urchins and beggars, unfailingly kind to women and children. But put a sword in his hand in the arena and a man against him, armed the same or similar—
    Corinna shivered and Decimus came awake beside her.
    ‘ This has gone on for long enough, ’ he growled, spinning her onto her front and giving her buttocks a sharp, disciplinary slap. ‘ You talk to me now, and properly. ’
     
    * * * *
     
    She told him. With Decimus pinning her down at the shoulders, his palm across her back feeling as heavy as an iron bar, she told him everything, beginning with the question, ‘ Why does Silvinus Cato want you dead, Master? ’
    Decimus listened intently, a looming, silent shadow sitting up in bed beside her. After her explanation he remarked, 'That Cato's an ambitious fellow. I should have expected something like this.'
    Corinna silently agreed, although she did not quite understand her master's cryptic comment. Mostly, she was simply relieved that he was not angry with her. About to ask if he might let her up, she heard his deep, warm voice in the darkness. 'How would you have done it? A kitchen knife?'
    Scandalized, she actually forgot to speak for an instant. Blood singing in her ears, she could not believe the crassness of what he was asking. 'How can you even think such a vile thing of me? I never considered it! Let me go!'
    Furious, she began kicking and hitting, lashing out wildly with her hands and feet, angry beyond all sense and hurt that he should even pose the question. 'You should trust me!' She was shouting. 'Ooof!'
    Suddenly, she could no longer move. She was over Decimus' knee, her legs trapped by one of his, her arms locked behind her with both wrists held tight in his left hand, the breath knocked completely from her.
    CRACK!
    His stiff open palm descended on her wriggling rump. She cursed, an oath she had often heard in the bath-house, and was rewarded