Smuggler’s Contubernium (Mea Lupus Series Book 1) Page 9

  We had met Gaius soon after and were the first members of our pack. We carried the fear of losing our future mate to birth with us. However, as each new member saw our pack grow in size, that fear was replaced with a new fear. Would we ever have a mate to worry about?

  “Where are you headed to first?” Gaius the Elder asked. Looking at him was like looking at Gaius in the future. Gaius’s father looked like Alexander the Great had stepped right out of a fresco from Terra. It was downright uncanny. There may be some odd threads of silver in his longer hair and a wrinkle here and there, but he was definitely Gaius’s biological father.

  “To the Senate,” Gaius answered. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and drank some juice to clear his throat. His father grunted in understanding and drank his own juice quietly. “Purni, you want us to drop you off at the Forum?”

  “Not the Forum!” Sputtered Lucius. Calpurnia rolled her eyes.

  “It’s a place where open discussion can flourish equally with all those who attend,” Calpurnia sounded as if she was repeating something by rote. I rumbled a laugh as her father scoffed.

  “More like dissent and blasphemy,” Lucius shook his head disapprovingly.

  “Have fun,” smiled Julian toothily. Lucius gave his pack mate a scathing look, but before he could lay into Calpurnia, she was wisely already moving to the door with an all too willing Gaius. Kastur and I shoved what food we could in our mouths and quickly drank down juice before running after them.

  “Thanks you guys,” she giggled and grabbed her waiting satchel. She tapped her own civilian comm bracelet and looked over her schedule for the day.

  “Just make sure you’re careful,” Gaius warned, “As much as you dislike our father’s opinion on the Forum, he’s not entirely wrong either.”

  “Gaius not you too,” she groaned.

  “He’s right, Purni. We’ve had to do some pretty nasty investigations there ourselves. It’s open but that’s also an opportunity for bad people as well,” Kastur’s unusual seriousness made her stop and really consider what he said for all of us.

  “Understood,” she nodded and got in her family’s personal transport drone ahead of us. After we dropped her off we sat for all of two seconds before Kastur couldn’t keep silent any longer.

  “So what memory did you get?” He asked eagerly. Gaius’s lips thinned in irritation, “C’mon, I can already tell you got something.” When Gaius sat there impassively for a few beats more Kastur added in a softer tone, “We were all exhausted. Don’t beat yourself up for not keeping the pack link perfectly clear.”

  “I know,” Gaius seemed to deflate a bit, “I just didn’t expect to be hit with a barrage of Adohi’s manic data tracking memories.” He rubbed his eyes and pinched his nose.

  “Well that’s significantly less sexy than the memories we got,” Kastur patted Gaius on the back, who looked at him in irritated disbelief. He turned to me and smiled, “Now I don’t feel so bad that you got the full sex memory and I only got how amazing Kara tastes.” He winked for good measure but all his teasing did was make sure he missed the punch to the gut Gaius gave him.

  I laughed as he wheezed for a full minute straight. Gaius’s ability may not be our own increased strength, but he still knew how and where to place a punch for the greatest efficacy. While my brother gave him a dirty look, Gaius simply raised an eyebrow in question. Telling him all the details of both our unintentionally shared memories from Quintillus made him frown.

  His frown gave me pause as it seemed more contemplative than disapproving or disappointed. Maybe he was starting to wonder more about this woman that had captured the attention of all five of our pack mates. I know I was.

  The transport drone slowed down as we joined the common lanes passing through New Rome’s sky. Signs of the current emperor’s massive restoration and beautification project of New Rome were everywhere. Construction drones carrying both materials and people hovered around buildings like bees around a hive. Artisans and engineers alike rubbed elbows as they tried new conservation techniques or applied fresh design principles to older work.

  I had never met the man, but I had always admired Emperor Aurelius. He would never live long enough to see the completion of his life’s work. His restoration and beautification project started with New Rome, but wouldn’t be complete until every historically or culturally significant structure throughout the solar system was lovingly attended.

  The colossal statues of a back to back Menrva and Caesar standing between the four assembly buildings never failed to catch my breath. Menrva faced the Mea Lupus Assembly and Caesar faced the Assembly of Centuries. The General Assembly and the Senate were perpendicular to the Divine Couple and across from one another. All transport drones who had business in the political centre of the Imperial Union swirled around Them in a de facto roundabout before heading to their destination’s docking station. At the Divine Couple’s feet was the massive shared garden space that paid homage to the Field of Mars where in millennia past citizens would gather in their pens for voting.

  The modern Field of Mars below was a horticulturalist’s dream. And a spy’s wet dream. More clandestine meetings sprouted there than flowers. No one called it by its official name, everyone just called it the Whispering Field or the Whispering. The trading of secrets wasn’t the only reason for the nickname. If you stood there, as I had many times, the tens of thousands of drones overhead stirred the air into a kind of murmuring white noise.

  Aurelia’s sympathetic comment earlier rang out again in my head. We were headed to the Senate first because we all knew it would take the longest. I cringed. I was not looking forward to answering a thousand and one useless and usually politically motivated questions.

  Looking down and to my right at the General Assembly, mainly full of lower level leaders and representatives, I channeled my inner Lucius and sent up a quick prayer of thanks to the Divine Couple. Senators may play games with our reporting, but at least they knew when enough was enough. If we had to report to the nest of snakes that was the lower class worlds we would never leave the building. I respected their tenacity, since they didn’t really have much power individually, but that didn’t mean I wanted to be dragged down into their trenches or die on their constantly shifting political battle lines either.

  “We’ve got 5 senators to meet today,” Gaius double checked our schedule on his gauntlet, “Staring with Senator Avidius.” Kastur rolled his eyes and groaned loudly.

  “What?” I couldn’t help asking, my brother’s outburst seemed more honest dismay than dramatics.

  “Avidius is the same one who kept staring at my crotch the last time we were here,” Kastur shuddered at the memory.

  “That was 10 years ago,” I rolled my eyes right back at him.

  “I accept that objectification is part of the job,” Kastur batted his eyelashes coyly but there was something about his humorous deflection that didn’t match the flash of unease that flitted across his eyes, “But that guy gives me the creeps.”

  “Well creepy staring aside, we just have to suck it up and get it done,” Gaius’s frown from earlier had taken over and conquered the rest of his face, “We need to wrap this up as quickly as possible so we can get back to the rest of our pack on Castra 3.”

  “You’re worried about them,” I didn’t mask my surprise, I knew we were safe to speak freely in his family’s personal transport drone.

  “Yes,” Gaius’s quiet confirmation had me making eye contact with my brother. We shared a mutual look of concern. “Quintillus is usually the steady reliable one. Falling for a Mortal...” His lips thinned, his words trailing off.

  Popular media loved the Divine Mate trope about as much as they loved the Mortal/Mea Lupus romantic plot twist. Mea Lupus and the average human didn’t produce children, but that didn’t stop people from falling in love. Slowly watching the person you love get old and die while you remain young sounds like an epic love story. The reality, however, often caused the Mea Lupus to become a s
uicide risk.

  With nothing but centuries of life stretching before them, and their heart buried in the soil or ashes on a solar wind, they often lost the will to live. Not every Mea Lupus had a pack to help mend their bleeding heart. With all five of our pack mates focusing on this woman, who would be there to temper them in their obsession?

  We all remained silent as the transport drone docked at the Senate platform. Gaius would send it home since we would probably be spending the next sixteen hours here. Affluent didn’t begin to cover Gaius’s family wealth, even compared to our combined contubernium pack wealth. That didn’t mean he would waste the fuel or space his transport drone would use when he could just send it home then recall it when we were done.

  “Let’s do this as efficiently as possible,” we nodded at Gaius then stepped out onto the landing platform. We walked one step behind him shoulder to shoulder. From this moment on we were a united front. Aides and those with visitor passes hurried all around us. Pairs of regular legion and Mea Lupus legion guards stood at regular intervals. It was time to stare into the jaws of the beast.

  Gaius

  “Ah, Gaius! Good to see you, young man,” I smiled indulgently at Senator Flamininus. It didn’t matter that I was his senior by at least a full century, he always treated me as the mid 30s man I looked like.

  “Marcus, filling out in your old age I see,” I teased. I hadn’t seen him in a little over a decade, which would make him now in his late 50s.

  “Hey watch it now,” he put his large hand on his softer but still muscled stomach, “we can’t all be blessed to look young forever!”

  “Who’s blessed? You’re the sexy silver fox in the room,” complained Kastur good-naturedly. Marcus blushed and laughed softly. He had always had a crush on Kastur but never crossed that line with him. Kastur wouldn’t have spurned his advances, as he was always up for any kind of fun, but Marcus was more a relationship man.

  “As long as my husband still agrees with you then I’m a happy man,” Marcus laughed. We joined him in his laughter, and spent a few minutes catching up on friends and family. “It’s already so late in the day, I must be your last appointment.” Pollux shifted a bit in his seat next to me uncomfortably. All day he and Kastur had been switching out as they did their own intel gathering rounds. Each time they had returned to check in or join an appointment they came back more and more on edge. We had such a full schedule that I hadn’t had the time to speak with them privately.

  “We did save the best for last,” I smiled kindly, “but our first appointment with Senator Avidius had to be postponed until later in the day so we have him after you.” Marcus’s lips tipped down slightly at the edges. He was friendly with us but he knew how to keep his thoughts private. That little slip up spoke volumes.

  “Yes, well,” Marcus cleared his throat and sat up straighter in his chair, “he does seem to be quite busy these days.”

  “So we’ve heard,” added Pollux, “I wonder what’s got him so tied up.” It was shameless fishing on Pollux’s part but it had the desired effect. Marcus’s face got slightly paler and he shifted his eyes away. He calmly stacked some papers on his desk before looking up again.

  “Marcus,” I narrowed my eyes slightly. It wasn’t exactly a command or a request but I needed him to share whatever he wasn’t saying. Mea Lupus weren’t allowed to hold any kind of political office except in the Mea Lupus Assembly. Add that to our longer lives and we could easily miss important political machinations in the Senate. Mortal affairs were to be left in Mortal hands.

  This was part of the agreement struck between the Divine Couple and Emperor Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. It was also why no emperors were ever born Mea Lupus or Chosen Mea Lupus. A rare example of this agreement being enforced was with the Emperor Marcus Aurelius who had been born Mea Lupus.

  As a young boy he had suddenly lost his ability to shift, which had shamed his family. It was seen as the Divine Couple taking their Divine Gift away from someone unworthy. A week later, a messenger arrived saying that he had been named successor to Emperor Antoninus Pius the same day he lost his ability to shift. No one knew why the emperor chose him, only that Menrva had kept Her word by making Marcus Aurelius a Mortal. He and his adoptive brother Lucius Verus held the title of co-emperor until Lucius’s passing during the Antonine Plague.

  His reign showed that while the Divine Couple held back from overt interference like when They revealed Themselves, They were also still watching. Emperor Marcus Aurelius’s reign was considered the last of the Divine Centuries, or the Duo Romana, as it was the last example of obvious divine influence.

  Menrva was the Goddess of Knowledge, She could have directly intervened with the plague, instead She made sure that those who could best handle the situation were in positions of power. Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the famed healer Galen kept the plague from spreading and destabilising the young Imperial Union. The cultural impacts of his placement and its results still reverberated to this day.

  “I have heard only bits and pieces of rumours,” Senator Flamininus said cautiously.

  “As have we,” Kastur encouraged.

  “All I know is that it’s some kind of collaborative program with the Mea Lupus that’s being proposed,” Marcus hedged. He spread his hands upward and leaned back in his chair.

  “Those happen all the time,” I nodded. I could smell his fear from here. He could mask his face and control his heart beat but the fear was already leaking from his pores.

  “What has you so frightened, my friend?” Asked Pollux gently. Marcus’s head whipped towards Pollux and he inhaled a sharp breath through his nostrils. He was spooked.

  “Avidius is working with the Daughters of Menrva,” his cheek twitched.

  “They run thousands of programs,” I schooled my face and voice to one of nonchalance, “Maybe it’s another religious or educational expansion?”

  “Really, Gaius?” Marcus snorted, “You look young but I know you’re not that naive.” He shook his head and looked out the window, quietly he added, “The Divine Couple haven’t rescinded Their Divine Gift from anyone in centuries but that doesn’t mean all wolves are good people.”

  “Fair enough,” Kastur nodded reassuringly.

  “Thank you for telling us, Marcus,” I said gratefully.

  “I’ve always liked you and your pack,” he smiled and his eyes held a nostalgic glow, “I still remember you visiting my father in this very office and giving me candies on the sly.” We all laughed and it seemed to clear away the previous tension. “Now let’s get your report cleared away, shall we?”

  Going through a decade’s worth of reports went significantly faster with Marcus than anyone else we met with today. Mostly due to the camaraderie that already existed between our two families. Prominent Mortal families tended to mingle with Mea Lupus more often than the average citizen if only because of work or trade. These bonds had spanned generations on both sides.

  An hour later and we were convening in a small cafe stall on the same floor as Marcus’s office. Each of the 100 floors of the Senate had a designated space for merchants. The spaces and stalls were leased on 1 year contracts only, drawn and given out at random from those who applied to the fair lottery. It made for an interesting assortment of shops and stalls. It also kept everyone both honest and on guard.

  We sat on the rickety wooden stools the chai vendor had set up in his space. He may have been snubbed for business compared to the fancy coffee shop across the way but I was sure his chai was far superior. Kastur and Pollux had no compunction about purchasing the questionable meat filled buns sitting in their basket steamer. The three of us were easily making this vendor’s day because he kept refilling our cups for free. Mea Lupus were famous not only for our high sex drives but our high metabolism. We were most likely going to eat everything he had baked for the whole day’s sales in one meal.

  “Report,” I telepathically linked just the three of us but outwardly we all appeared to be focused
on eating.

  “Avidius bumped us because the Daughters showed up to speak with him unannounced this morning,” Kastur was all business. He was taking Marcus’s demeanour seriously. Pollux snorted as Kastur smiled and stole one of his brother’s dipping buns.

  “Marcus isn’t the only one distracted and worried about whatever program the Daughters are in discussions with Avidius about,” added Pollux. He took a slow sip of his chai and continued, “Whatever it is, Avidius’s supporters have been gathering to present a united front of support.”

  “My lords, I can have more food brought from my shop or something special made if you like,” the vendor asked. He didn’t know he was interrupting our conversation so I smiled.

  “There’s always room for dessert!” Laughed Kastur. He was faster to adapt to the situation. I pitied anyone who confused his joviality or strength with a lack of mental sharpness.

  “Yes, my lords! Savoury sweets, sugary sweets, tart or simple fruity...,” the man seemed genuinely excited for a willing audience and an opportunity.

  “What is your name, sir?” The man seemed to fluster at my polite question. Depending on the kind of people he had met here he wouldn’t know whether he found himself in trouble or if I was being kind.

  “Ahmed, my lord,” he pulled his shoulders back with dignity and poise. I smiled to let him know I approved of his choice to be courageous.

  “Ahmed, we only get to come back home to New Rome every ten years,” Pollux nodded along with me as he kept eating, “I’m glad we chose your stall. The chai is amazing and the food is even better. We’d love any kind of desserts you’d like to provide.” Kastur mumbled an approving ‘mmhmm’ around a mouthful of meat and rice stuffed flatbread.

  “Thank you, my lord!” Ahmed turned quickly to get started on our desserts but not before I saw him wipe away a tear. I felt my heart soften a bit for the man. I respected hard work and perseverance.

  “If you don’t leave him a giant tip, I will,” Kastur added mentally, “Seriously, we need to find out where he’s set up because this was the best food we’ve had so far—that wasn’t from your family’s villa that is.”