Ten for Dying

Chapter Forty-six

Cornelia came into the atrium crying. She wore a plain, white robe like those worn by the girls at Isis’ refuge. Felix noticed that, as was the case at the refuge, there were rows of close-set doors along the walls. Yet he knew this was John’s house.

“My apologies,” he said. “I realize I haven’t visited recently. I suddenly remembered. How long has it been? Years?”

How could it have been years since he had seen his friend? Suddenly there was hollow feeling in his chest. How could he have forgotten him for so long?

Tears streamed down Cornelia’s face as she approached. “It’s too late,” she said. “You waited too long. He’s gone now.”

“Gone?”

“It’s your fault,” she said.

“I don’t understand.”

“Read the letter.” He realized she was holding a scroll out to him, although he had not noticed her holding it before.

He reached out and noticed then that the scroll was glistening red, dripping with blood.

Felix awoke with a start, lying on his back on the concrete floor of a cell. He stared up numbly, without comprehension as his dream dissipated in the shadows squirming across a low, whitewashed ceiling. It took him a little while to remember that the cell belonged to Isis’ girl, Lallis. It was not locked or barred. Unlike the emperor’s dungeons it was devoted to denial of the flesh rather than the flaying of it.

He had had no trouble denying his flesh since Lallis had ushered him in. She had not suggested they resume their former affair-or business relationship, if he were being honest. Perhaps she had actually changed her ways and not just her clothing.

And neither John nor Cornelia were in Constantinople any longer. They were both on a ship to Greece. And both were perfectly safe, weren’t they?

Felix rolled onto his side.

Lallis was sitting on the bed, her legs drawn up under her chaste robe, staring at him as if he were some exotic creature. “I haven’t had a man in here since Isis converted her establishment to a refuge.”

“I should hope not.”

She gazed down with big, brown, dog-like eyes. He had always thought her eyes expressive. Had it just been the way she’d outlined them in kohl?

“I thought I would like my new life. So much easier. But…I’m so bored.”

“If you’d had the excitement I do, you’d wish you could be bored again.” Though it seemed a wise thing to say, he wasn’t so certain it was true. Anastasia seemed to revel in excitement. Was that why she was involved with Felix, because she was so bored?

Lallis’ thin lips tightened into an unattractive pout. “It’s all right for Mother Isis but she’s practically dead. When she had some life in her, she had a lively time of it. How many prayers can a girl say? How many hymns can a girl sing?”

She bent suddenly and came at him with a kiss. He must have misjudged. She hadn’t changed much at all. He moved his head and she got a mouthful of beard. He put his hands on her shoulders and held her away from him, uncomfortably aware of her warmth.

“Oh, Felix, don’t you remember?”

“I recall what you charged.”

She drew away. Her mouth trembled.

“I’m sorry,” Felix said. “Yes, yes, it was more than that. Certainly. But we can’t resume. It’s impossible.”

“Another woman!”

“No. Or, rather…well, it makes no difference. You have a good, secure life here. One that doesn’t include lovers.” He didn’t feel capable of arguing.

Lallis looked at her lap and smoothed down the robe which had ridden up her legs. “I suppose you’re right.”

“And I know your life isn’t all prayers and hymns, Lallis. Isis still has business interests. She owns shops. Surely you work outside this place frequently?”

“I know things aren’t the same, Felix. But since you’re here and no one knows, it wouldn’t hurt, would it?”

“But it probably would hurt, Lallis. Some way or another it always ends up hurting. As it is, it’ll be difficult enough if I’m found with you. If I cause you trouble…” He shook his head wearily. “I would never have imagined Isis would turn me away. She’s a different woman.”

“I know why she threw you out.”

“Obviously, because she’s a good Christian now.”

“It’s not that. It’s because of that relic you were telling her about.”

“You were eavesdropping?”

“I overheard. You told her you were being hunted by men smuggling relics. So needless to say she had to get rid of you as fast as possible.”

“Why?”

“Because she’s part of it! She’s helping the smugglers.”

Felix stared at the girl. “Not Isis! She wouldn’t do that!”

“Selling relics is part of the way she supports the refuge. If you don’t believe me, I’ll show you. This is the day they’re delivered, which is probably why she turned you away at once. She couldn’t risk you staying even a single night in case of what you might see or hear, and later reveal if you were caught and questioned. The messenger arrives just before dawn.”

She rose, opened the door a crack, and looked up and down the hallway. “It’s all right,” she whispered. “Isis doesn’t require us to do early morning devotions, thank the Lord.”

She motioned for him to follow. The hallway was empty, illuminated by a lamp on a wooden table at one end. Lallis crept silently in the opposite direction, into deepening darkness. Felix tip-toed nervously behind, past the closed doors lining the walls. Gone from beside them were the lewd mosaic plaques illustrating the pleasures available within. He thought of the rows of stalls beneath the Hippodrome. Each door here opened onto a bare, utilitarian box like Lallis’ cell, equally suited to serving man or God.

At the end of the hall she stopped, put a finger to her lips, and waved him forward to peer around the corner.

He was looking down another long gloomy hallway. Felix recognized the door at the end as the back entrance which in the old days had been used by tradesmen and discreet high court officials. An orange light spilled feebly into the hallway then grew in intensity until Isis came into view, holding a clay lamp. She set the lamp in the niche beside the door, then slid back the bolt.

Felix felt a pang of guilt to be spying on his old friend.

But then, she’d coldly refused to help him, hadn’t she?

And Lallis claimed…

But how could he believe that Isis was smuggling relics?

Isis pulled the door open. A figure stood in the darkness outside. No words were exchanged. The caller handed Isis a small sack. She opened the top and looked in. Apparently satisfied, she closed the sack. Coins flashed in the lamp light.

Then from down the hall came a shriek. “Lallis has a man with her!”

Felix heard doors opening and more loud comments from Isis’ girls.

Isis heard the racket too and whirled around. The sack slipped from her grasp and hit the floor. Bones rattled out and skittered into the walls, as if invisible hands were playing knucklebones.

“Mithra! Just my luck!” cursed Felix, and ran after the caller.