Let's Kill Caesar

11: Get In Loser

"Caesar is just as good." Endymion lifted his chin.

"He's not, Endy. He's controversial and you shouldn't be tainted by that in your first election."

Valerian slumped against the pillar behind him, shaking his head. Endymion huffed. "Well those are my only two options Valerian. That's it."

Cassius rubbed his elbows thoughtfully. "I've told you my advice, Endy."

The young senator placed his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. He scrunched his nose and gazed out at the rolling green of the Capitoline hill.

The sun was beginning to set, his light now honey-gold and soft. The sky was gradually shifting from its clear blue to a vibrant mix of tangerine and drops of cobalt. Ravens were taking flight overhead, another field day for the Augurs it seemed. Just beyond the blotches of green and neat groves of fruit trees, the city of Rome began to light up with traffic and streetlights. The Tiber was glistening in the last strength of Sol's rays and warm embrace.

"I should get going."

Valerian pursed his lips and pat Endymion's back. "That's probably best. We can look at this with fresh eyes tomorrow."

It was dark when Endymion's cab finally arrived. He went to jog over when a silver electric car zoomed in front.

"Hey! What the-"

The driver's door swung open and a man dressed in an elegant black suit stepped out, utterly unfazed. Endymion stiffened as the young man cocked his head, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. "Are you Mister Endymion Brutus?"

The senator's throat bobbed, feet stuck to the ground as he replied huskily, "Y-yes."

What the Orcus is going on? He shuffled his feet uncomfortably as the driver looked him up and down. "You don't sound very certain, sir. May i see some I.D.?"

Endymion laughed, neck arching. "I'm sorry, are you the cab I called? Because two of you have shown up-"

The man snorted, waving his palms. "No, no. I was sent by my master to collect you. Well, once I see some I.D."

"You're not seeing anything until you tell me what exactly is going on."

Endymion gazed desperately about but the temple was practically empty. Oh gods protect me. The man folded his hands, a polite smile on his face. "I understand this is unexpected, but I assure you there is nothing to fear."

Endymion peered at the car. The windows were tinted but not overly dark. The man didn't seem to have anything in his grasp other than car keys. Cato would tell him to run, that whomever wished to see him could find him without the dramatics. Bastian would jump right in, highly aware car keys could do a lot of damage; if Nasica Scipio could kill one of the Gracchi with a chair leg, anything was possible.

He wet his lips, fingers fidgeting with his suspenders. With one last frantic look around, Endymion finally said, "Alright."

The chauffeur smiled again and opened the back door. "You don't seem like a liar so I won't bother with I.D. this time around. But if you're not who I think you are...well, my master will deal with you."

The man gestured toward the car again. "Please, make yourself comfortable Brutus."

Endymion sucked in a breath and scooted onto the cool leather seats. Before he could even consider backing out, the driver swept into the front seat and the engine buzzed to life. That's when the locks clicked and the car sped forward. "Whoa!"

The senator grunted as his head smacked into the sunroof, the car not-so-gracefully lurching up and out of the pothole riddled road.

"You'll want to strap in, sir!"

Endymion yanked a seatbelt across and gulped as the familiar click! came. Thank the gods. I'd be getting brain damage by now.

The car's tyres screeched as the chauffeur flung them around a sharp corner, the poxy pop music blasting from the speakers having drained any ounce of self awareness. I'm going to die in here.

Another teeth-chattering turn. Endymion's hands were white as he gripped the leather desperately.

"Oh yeah, there should be a bottle of Cherie rolling around back there - you're free to endulge yourself!"

"Uh, no thank you." With the day Endymion had suffered he couldn't risk turning to the bottle. He didn't have space in his mind to worry about drunk calls he might've made to Bastian. That fire doesn't need any more fucking fuel.

Endymion didn't attempt to make conversation. Sure, the driver seemed nice enough but most assholes in Rome seemed like that at first. Besides, he had failed to be helpful in offering the slightest explanation of how he managed to find the youngest Brutus.

The drive down from the hill felt swifter than usual. Probably because Endymion wasn't trapped with his- with Bast and his betrothed. That or the chauffeur simply had no care for speed limits. The latter.

Soon enough the soft darkness turned to bright billboards, shouts of rowdy partygoers as they set out to dance the night away.

No doubt the younger senators would be prancing about like proud peacocks, Clodius at the head. Maybe with an appearance from Bastian if Cassiel took him out (unlikely). Endymion smiled to himself, eyes illuminated by the vibrant signs of the night clubs.

On Endymion's eighteenth birthday he and Bast went dancing. He had just worn comfy jeans, tucked t-shirt and his new red jersey. Bastian... The image still formed sweat on the back of Endymion's neck.

There his friend had stood as if Endymion's world had not tumbled over and over. Loose white dress shirt, messy black tie, pleated black trousers, hair all loose and perfectly wild. And eyes shining with warmth as he took Endymion by the arm and into the night.

The partners in crime were radiant as their bodies had joined the mass of jiving people. For one song Endymion had been swept into Bast's strong arms. In the pulsing light they had swayed, breath mingling. At that point Endymion's hair was all askew and drenched with glitter. Sweat smeared his forehead and during the night beer had spilt on his trousers. So undoubtably, Endymion had been at his most undesirable.

Yet Bast had still grabbed his waist, led him into shadows behind the dance floor. Everything pumped around them as Endymion felt his friend's fingers brush his thigh. Bastian was looking down at him, lips parted and eyes wide. His voice was clearer than the blasting music.

"Sometimes I wish it wasn't like this."

The car swerved down onto the streets of the wealthiest villas. Endymion sat up, blood running cold.

"You're taking me home?"

The driver snickered and risked a brief glance at his passenger. "No sir. I assure you, we are almost there."

They rolled slowly down the street, Endymion's heart stuttering with each slight stop.

They passed the villas of a few Scipios, all tall hedges and marble fountains. Then they drove past the sleek wide-windowed abode of the formidable Catos.

Endymion sunk into his seat as the home of Bastian rose ahead, the lights inside glowing a warm yellow. His throat closed up as a silhouette appeared in one of the windows. He flashed his eyes away and gripped the seat.

"Um, have you gone past?" Endymion said, brows knit as they came upon the last few villas. The chauffeur laughed softly.

"I assure you sir, we have almost arrived."

Almost arrived? Endymion pressed his lips together. There were almost no villas left. There was one more Scipio home, two others too insignificant to remember and one that would be empty for a few more days at least.

The car turned onto that very home's driveway. Endymion's mouth dried out as the tall black gate encasing the villa opened with light clanging. He was glued to the spot as the car crawled inside, rolled to an awaiting car park. The driver pulled on the handbrake and turned.

"Caesar is waiting for you in the office."