New Rome

53. Testimony

A/N: This chapter continues a bit of the storyline that occurred Part 1, Chapter 21, 'Sweet Ellie'. If it's been a while since reading that, you might need to give it a reread so you're not lost. Sorry for the delay between posting chapters!   

The diabolariae waited in the cold, her gaunt cheeks pinched with hunger and a tattered scarf around her hair. She was hovering outside Prince Kai's complex.

"This is private property." Barked a man, emerging from one of the maintenance doors. "Off with you." She bowed her head, flashing him a glimpse of her cleavage in the process. 

From her clothes, Sejanus was able to guess her trade. "Go back to the Lantern, there's no work for you." He dismissed. 

"I travelled at risk of my life, young master. You are too cruel if you send me away unheard."

"You have words then? Speak them. But no pretty ones or I'll not listen to them." Sejanus warned her. He glanced at the security cameras and hoped that none of his colleagues saw him chatting with a prostitute. His reputation was bleak enough already.

"Young master, are you the one they say was friends with the dead prince?"

"The dead prince?" A shiver ran down Sejanus' spine as he realised who she was talking about. "You mean Prince Guy?" 

"Were you his friend? The one who stayed always by his side, leaving it only on that day. I can only say my words to that man."

"I am. My names is Sejanus." He showed her his ID card to confirm it. "Why do you ask especially for me?"

"You're known in the Lantern. You offered coins and protection to anyone with information on the dead prince." The woman was trembling, her frightened gaze darting about.

"Why have you waited so long to step forward?"

"For fear of my life." She hissed. She stepped closer to Jay, so that she could speak in his ear. "I know my trade and station. No one will believe my words, especially if I accuse..." She hesitated.

Unable to endure the suspense, Sejanus gripped her arm.

"Yes?" He urged.

"A man with power."

Sejanus could hear his heart hammering. For so long he'd despaired of getting justice for his friend.

"No matter who this man is, I can assure you, I can protect you from him. Only speak."

The woman held his gaze. Sejanus realised that she was younger than he'd supposed and perhaps, if she ate more, quite pretty. He saw the feint traces of past scars across her jaw and forehead. "I give you my word."

"I saw it. I saw the murder. May the gods forgive me that I ran away. There was nothing I could do and I was feared I would die too."

Sejanus' grip tightened.

"Who did you see? Who killed Guy?"

"His brother, Prince Agrippa." 

The diabolariae tried to pull free from Sejanus' grip but he wouldn't let her go. Sejanus' expression was wild. Finally, after suspecting it – he finally had it confirmed. "I could not speak of it. I feared that if I did, those in power would protect the young prince and I would be... silenced."