Pandora - By Anne Rice Page 0,57
was one of the blood drinkers,” I said. “I was thirsty for blood. Listen, I am no lover of blood sacrifice. What do you know here? Does Queen Isis exist somewhere, within this Temple, bound in fetters—”
“No!” cried the Priest. The Priestess turned around, echoing the same horrified denial.
“All right, then, but you said there were legends that she did exist somewhere in material form. Now, what do you think is happening? She has summoned me here to assist this one, this burnt-up weakling? Why me? How can I do it? I’m a mortal woman. Remembering dreams of a past life does not enhance my power. Listen! It was a woman’s voice, I told you, which spoke in my head to me, not an hour ago out there in the Forum, and she said ‘It is I who summoned you,’ I heard this, and she swore she would not have me stolen from her. Then up comes this mortal man who’s more of a threat to me than anything in my head. The voice in my head had warned me of him! I don’t want any of your mysterious Egyptian religion. I refuse to go mad. It is you, all of you—especially the talented mind reader—who must find this thing before he makes any more trouble. Allow me to go on.”
I stood up and began to walk out of the chamber.
The Roman spoke behind me, most gently, “Are you really going out into the night alone, knowing full well what awaits you—that you have an enemy who wants to kill you, and that you have in your dreams knowledge that may draw this blood drinker to you?”
This was such a change of pace for me lofty mind reader, such a slip into semi-sarcastic vernacular, that I almost laughed.
“I’m going home now!” I said firmly.
They all pleaded, in different modes and tones. “Stay in the Temple.”
“Absolutely not,” I said. “If the dreams return I’ll write them down for you.”
“How can you be so foolish!” said the Roman with genteel impatience. You would have thought he was my brother!
“That is an unforgivable impertinence,” I said. “Are not magicians and mind readers bound by manners?” I looked to the Priest and Priestess. “Who is this man?”
I went out and they followed me. I hurried to the door.
In the light I saw the Priestess’s face. “We know only that he’s our friend. Please listen to his advice. He has never done anything but good for the Temple. He comes to read the Egyptian books we have here. He buys them up from the shops as soon as the sea brings them to us. He is wise. He can read minds, as you see.”
“You promised an escort of guards,” I said.
And I will be with you. The voice came from the Roman, though I did not know where he was now at all. He was not in the great hall.
“Come, live within the Temple of Isis, and nothing can harm you,” said the Priest.
“I’m not quite the woman for living in the Temple Compound,” I said, trying to sound as humble and grateful as I could. “I’d drive you mad in a week. Please open the door.”
I slipped out. I felt I had escaped from a dark corridor of spiderwebs, back into the Roman night, among Roman columns and Roman temples.
I discovered Flavius pressed against the column beside me, staring down into the stairs. Our four torchbearers were gathered next to us, very much alarmed.
There were men who were obviously Temple guards, but they stood cleaving to the doors, as did Flavius.
“Madam, go back in!” whispered Flavius.
At the foot of the stairs stood a group of helmeted Roman soldiers in full military dress with polished muscled breastplates and short red cloaks and tunics. They carried their deadly swords as if they were in battle. Their bronze helmets shone in the light of the Temple braziers.
Battle dress within the city. Everything but shields. And who was the leader?
Lucius, my brother, stood beside the leader. Lucius wore his battle tunic of red, but no breastplate or sword. His toga was doubled and redoubled over his left arm. He was clean, with shining hair, exuding money. A jeweled dagger was on his forearm; another dagger was in his belt.
Trembling, he pointed at me.
“There she is,” said Lucius. “Of the entire family, she escaped the order of Sejanus. It was a plot to kill Tiberius and somehow she bribed her way out of Rome!”
I quickly sized up the soldiers.