Frost and Flame, Foes in the Dark (book 2)

Chapter 13, Victim

Year 783 Octavus, day 18 of the seventh month of Domorus

Loud knocks echoed through the bedroom as shout resounded the knocks. "Dominus, dominus! You need to wake up dominus."

Akana listened to Sidastir's grunt as he entangled himself from Sidastir's embrace. "I think the old hag is having a heart attack," Sidastir muttered, but Akana just ignored him as he got dressed.

"Keep sleeping. You need your rest."

He walked over to the door and opened it at a frown at Stella who was both red from screaming and pale out of fright. "Dominus, we have guests."

Akana looked out through the window. He didn't mind guests at dawn but from what he can tell, relevis love sleeping in so it was a surprise that anyone was up at this time. "Who?"

"The Mayin and-" Stella gulped. "the head of the guards, Atrox Falcis."

Akana wasn't too surprised by the Mayin. They knew each other after all. Normally, Akana would have guessed that the Mayin wanted to invite him somewhere, but the head of the guards. What is he doing here?

"Lead the way," Akana said, not caring that he only had the minimum clothes on him for decency. Stella didn't seem to care either and lead him to the Alae. The head of the guard, Atrox, was standing straight with his hands behind his back. His stern face was expressionless, and the dark grey eyes turned to Akana as he entered the Atrium. The Mayin stood by the Impluvium, watching the water, only turning to greet Akana with a smile when he heard Akana's greeting.

"Welcome to my home, Mayin." Akana turned to Atrox. "And I don't think I have the pleasure of meeting you."

"I'm Atrox Falcis, head of the guards."

"Welcome to you, but I must wonder what such two distinguished people are doing in my Alae at this time of the day."

The room became tense, only Stella's cane echoed as she rushed to the Culina to get some beverage. "I'm guessing that it isn't for good news."

"We had hoped to speak with your husband," Atrox confessed grimly, and Stella had got him instead since she trusted Akana more than Sidastir.

"He is currently sleeping. What is this about?"

Atrox grimaced, looking over to the Mayin for help but got none so he answered reluctantly. "There has been a murder. One of the participants is dead."

"Oh, which one?"

"Laus Julianus."

"Who?"

The room fell into silence, Atrox stared at Akana like he was waiting for a proclamation of the question being a joke. It wasn't, Akana had no idea who that was.

"The relevi who taunted Sidastir just before you left," Mayin clarified, and recognition flashed over Akana's face.

"Oh, that man. Yes, I'm not surprised. He seemed most unpleasant. Are you here to talk to my husband since he argued with him?" Something quite ordinary when investigating a murder.

"No, the head of the guards are here to accuse him of the murder," said the Mayin with a smile, though his eyes were cold. Atrox flinched at the accusation but didn't seem to relent. He just stared firmly at Akana who pursed his lips.

"When was the murder executed?"

"What?" that question seemed to rattle Atrox.

"When was the murder executed?" Akana repeated, slowly like Atrox was unable to understand him.