"I am here on my authority as a judge in Rome!" Brutus said. "Thus, no written orders are needed. My charges are legal. You know that as well as I do."
Crispus glanced at me and nodded very slightly. His options to save Radulf would be limited.
So Crispus tried a new approach, one that required a calmer voice. "Surely, there is no need to bring a wealthy man like General Radulf to the prisons. Under the law, he is entitled to remain in the home of a friend who will guarantee his appearance at trial."
Brutus laughed. "And who is that? You?"
Crispus stood taller. "Why not? Aren't I a Praetor now?"
"You may look like a Praetor, but you do not think like one." Brutus's eyes narrowed. "I know you hired a carriage to take this family out of Rome. Indeed, I believe I heard that carriage arrive only a moment ago, no?"
I looked over at Crispus, who lowered his eyes. Yes, the carriage had come. Livia was probably already inside it.
"I will pay any re
maining debt for the freedom of Nic and his family," Crispus said. "Release his mother to me."
"I will not sell her," Brutus said. "But if it avoids a fight" -- he raised a finger -- "I will offer Nicolas a fair choice." He nodded behind him, and men dragged Radulf from his room, looking even weaker than I felt and wearing heavy chains that must've made standing that much harder on him. "Will you save this evil man, who left you to die in the mines, nearly killed you in the arena, and once imprisoned you here in this home?" He arched a brow, amused with himself. "Or the loving mother who bore you?"
Beside Radulf, my mother tried to pull free from the Praetors who were still holding her, but it did no good. Then she looked at me and shook her head.
I wouldn't let her be taken away from me, not again. But I was also determined not to fall into Brutus's trap. "I'm offering you a better choice. In exchange for my mother and grandfather, I'll let you leave this home with both of your arms still attached."
He smiled. "Reach for my arm, then. Let's see what happens next."
"Test me," I said. "I'm ready for you."
His smile darkened. "I have surprises here that you cannot possibly anticipate, especially with your lessened strength."
"I will collapse the rest of this home if I must!" I yelled. "You saw what I did to that temple. Do you think I need nearly that much strength now?"
"Collapse a home with your family and friends inside it?" Brutus shook his head. "I rather doubt you will."
It was my turn to smile. "As I said, Brutus, test me. See what I can do."
"Enough!" Radulf mumbled. "Take your mother and sister and leave Rome." When I only stared back at him, he added, "Do as I say."
Brutus turned his attention to Radulf. "How weak you must feel, General. How useless you are without magic." Then he looked at me again. "Your choice is simple. Will you save your mother or your grandfather, a known traitor of the empire? Is this really so difficult?"
I raised one arm and shot out magic toward the men holding my mother. It collapsed part of the wall behind them, but when they released her to protect themselves from the falling plaster, she took the opportunity and started toward me. However, she didn't get far before Brutus grabbed her again and pulled her in front of him, using her as a shield against me.
"You're making things worse!" Brutus shouted. "And I promise you, they can get even worse still."
"They will only get worse for you!" The anger rising in me was hard to control. "Release my mother. She is not part of this fight!"
"There are too many Praetors here," my mother said. "They're hiding everywhere, Nic!"
"Take someone down who has a weapon I can use," Aurelia whispered. "I'll help you."
I felt stronger now, and if Aurelia could get a weapon, then I had a fair chance in a fight. But whatever direction I might aim, I had to choose between my mother, who was being pulled toward my left side, and my grandfather at my right.
"Stop this!" Radulf's voice boomed through the atrium, though it was noticeably weaker than usual. "I like my home. I have no wish to see it destroyed. Nor a few of the people in it." He glared at Brutus. "You will also have to survive, I see. How unfortunate."
"I will not choose between you," I said to Radulf. Both of my hands were raised now.
"The choice is mine." Radulf nodded his head toward Brutus. "Release Nic's mother. I will go with you."
Brutus's eyes drifted from Radulf to me; then he released her arm. She ran toward me, but I only angled her toward the door as I said, "Go get in that carriage. Tell the driver to leave immediately, as fast as he can go. We'll catch up to you." She nodded at me, then hurried outside.