New Rome

56. No Heir

Ellie exited from the safe house, a secret smile tugging on his lips. Under the pretence of 'checking that the diabolariae was alright' he was able to keep calling at her lodgings. His visits were enough to keep the girl parroting the story he'd taught her.

'You saw Agrippa kill the prince. Tell them that. Tell them Agrippa's name.'

He covered his hand with his mouth, stifling a laugh.

Ellie's self buzzed in his pocket with an incoming call, just as he was approaching the shuttle station.

"Greetings," he answered smoothly – un-deterred by the unknown number. As he'd anticipated, it was Tann's voice that answered.

"The runt's biting harder than usual. I'm struggling to curb his temper." Tann complained. 

Tann's job of be-friending Agrippa, the Imperator's hot-headed grandson, had long lost all of its novelty. Tann no longer even referred to Agrippa by name, only insults like 'runt' and 'roach'.

"You're doing fine work. I'm grateful for your hold over him." Ellie murmured, placatingly.

"All I used to have to do was ply him with drink and women and he was soothed."

"Is this usual trick failing?"

Tann snorted.

"The women won't touch him. Not with the nastiness spreading between his legs."

Ellie grinned. It had been one of his crueller ideas, to send Agrippa into the bed of a woman known to have the Yellow Rot.

"Does Agrippa still carry a torch for our girl, Danyka?" Ellie asked, remembering a piece of gossip.

"Hmm, I reckon so. Though she ignores his bleats for attention."

"Danyka has a new lover. One that is sure to rile up Agrippa."

"Who?"

"Backtits." Daviad of house Everbleed, the aging and obese senator was married to Agrippa's eldest sister.

Tann burst out laughing.

"He'll rage like a bull when he hears!"

"Indeed, so make sure he finds it out before the family dinner tonight. I want him in fine form in front of the Imperator."

"Yes, boss."

                     The family dinner at the Castle of Red was to celebrate Livia's birthday. Ellie and Wylo arrived late.

"Apologies," Wylo grimaced. "The baby's pushing on my bladder and we had to stop twice on the journey here."

"I understand." Livia spoke genially, exposing her powdered cheek for Wylo to kiss. "I was the same when carrying Kai and Drusus."

"Here's our gift. You'll probably hate it." Wylo handed it over, but already she was being ignored. Livia had spotted Ellie, her favourite grandchild, and nothing else mattered in the world to her.

"Ellie!" She cooed, pulling him in for a hug. "You look thin, are you not eating? Sit beside me so I might feed you. I'll not sleep tonight if I don't see you eat properly. Your gaunt visage will haunt my dreams."

Wylo rolled her eyes. 

"If you're dreaming then you must be sleeping." She muttered, under her breath.