She pushed back her sunlight-streaked hair from her face. Well, well. She'd badly underestimated the young Varro, thinking that he'd be a typical rutting vampire youth, hot only for blood and sex, but with just his stare, he'd enthralled her momentarily. He'd probably heard her thoughts... and searched her out, all in this crowd.

The knowledge sobered her. If he'd snapped his fingers and commanded her to dance for his pleasure, she probably would have done it naked. And happily. At least until she'd regained her senses.

"Let this be a lesson for you," she murmured to herself.

The bluish tints in his hair glinted in the distance, as he followed Lentulus to the foremost temple of Jupiter. Lia looked down at her basket of petals and snorted. So much for wishing she could stab him, but had she tried to take her vengeance now, she wouldn't have made it a step or two before he gutted her.

Her eyes flickered up to the sun. Not too much time left - the household had turned the slaves loose only for the triumph. With Lentulus about to sacrifice white bulls in the temple, Lia had to run. They expected her to serve at the feast.

She hurried down the street Via Triumphalis. Most people were staying behind, so they could see the various trophies and largesse on display. Many bastards would be conceived tonight.

No matter how fast she walked, she couldn't escape the crowd's cries. "Hail! Hail Gaius Flavius Varro Magnus! Hail!"