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“What can you see?”
“Why aren’t you answering?”
I ignored my brothers, who were making my head hurt with all their questions, and looked at the gate up ahead.
The castle-like building behind it loomed dark, the towers like silent sentries watching anyone who dared enter.
My brothers had fussed over me like mother hens while I was getting ready, clucking around me and checking that my earpiece was working. They’d tested it over and over to make sure they could hear anything that was said.
Too bad I couldn’t turn off the sound the other way so I couldn’t hear them.
“I’m here. Now shut up and let me do this without interruptions.”
“Don’t take any chances. And don’t insult them. These guys are old-school.”
Rolling down my window, I was greeted by a robotic voice. “Welcome, Master Olysses. Please proceed up to the manor.”
My brothers snorted, and I had to suppress my own grin. “Old-school indeed,” I muttered as I rolled my window up.
A butler stood outside the massive front doors that were decorated with intricate carvings, huge brass handles attached to the outside.
The gold door knocker shaped like a lion’s head didn’t even seem out of place. Its uniqueness only added to the eclectic decor of the place.
“Master Olysses. Welcome to the Forum,” he greeted me when I climbed out of my Maserati.
My gaze wandered around the curved driveway, stopping on a huge statue of a half-naked dude.
The butler cleared his throat. “If you’ll follow me.”
Once he was sure he had my attention, he stepped back inside the building.
The interior was as grand as the outside. There was marble as far as I could see and more statues scattered through the round entrance hall.
And there were snakes on every surface in the form of statues, paintings and engraved on doors and door handles.
Big ones, small ones, angry ones, and ones made out of diamonds. Someone had a serious obsession. And not in a healthy way.
Our steps echoed through the hallway big enough to drive a car through. Whoever built this must have really liked wide-open spaces.
We stopped in front of a closed door, and the butler pulled a golden rope. A bell chimed inside the room, and then the door opened. Two guards stood inside the huge theater-like room.
The only light was centered on the four hooded figures sitting on a dais in the middle of the space, snake statues lining the walk to it. I trailed a hand down a snake’s head, attaching a small bug to it.
The man on the right indicated the space in front of the large table they sat behind. “Jude Olysses. Please, approach.”
“You have been deemed worthy.”
I couldn’t make out which one had spoken, but I didn’t think it mattered at this stage.
Standing in front of the table, my arms hanging loosely down my sides in case I had to reach for my gun, I quirked an eyebrow. “Worthy of a meeting?”
“It is an honor to be speaking to the princeps. Treat it as such.” This voice sounded amused.
“State your case and don’t waste our time.” This voice sounded annoyed, and also familiar.
“Thank you for seeing me, esteemed leaders. I have requested this meeting with the hopes of joining your ranks.”
“Why would an Olysses want to join Gladius?”
