Chapter 52. Vampire?

VESTA

“What do you mean by this, Great King?” Livia asked, leaning forward. “Claudius is…” She paused. “He is dead. You heard his nephew say it the other day at court, didn’t you?”

She glanced around to make sure no one was nearby. “Surely, the king hadn’t hallucinated? As we all know he was a friend more dear to you than a brother. Grief tends to do to people quite unimaginable things sometimes.”

“I know what I saw, Livia.” Caesar shot back, clearly offended that Livia would even question his sanity.

“Forgive me, my lord. Perhaps you saw a ghost,” Livia continued, risking her head. “Your thoughts must have been so centered on him that you started seeing his ghostly self.”

“And I suppose the boy was a ghost as well?” He shot Livia a look that said, I dare you to question my sanity one more time.

Livia heaved a tired sigh and looked back at him with an intensity that shook even myself. Her face had switched instantly from surprise to ice cold serio