A/N: And here is chapter five. The plot thickens... Thanks so much for the reviews. Reluctant Dragon: this actually is based off the Angel episode. Wesley says something about the matches in ancient Rome, and my mind took off. Anyway, everyone, please read and review. The next chapter should be up soon. Till then...

Chapter Five: Et Virtus et Vitium (Both Courage and Crime)

A bell dinged, but Rubellia still didn't move. Neither did the vampire in the ring below her; he just stared at her. The Fyarl came forward, hit him, and the spell was broken. The vampire turned to the demon, and the fight began. So did the cheers.

"This is it?" Rubellia murmured, wrenching her eyes away from the new blood spurts along the ground. "This is why?"

"Why of course!" Nero cried, reaching across and grabbing her hand. "Don't you see, darling, don't you understand?"

"Explain it."

"The games are so plebian. The masses love the smell, the slaughter. But this…" His eyes weren't on her anymore; they weren't on the fight. They were somewhere far away. "I saw you fight once. It was years ago and you were magnificent, no longer my pale cousin. No, you were a goddess. And the vampires… Titans here in Rome, but far more common. You saved my life."

She knew exactly what he was talking about. She had been hunting in the Subura, and had come upon vampires attacking a small party of revelers. She had saved them without thought, and afterwards noted the identity of their leader, disguised as he was in plain, unadorned linen. Nero had always liked to play the peasant. "I didn't know... I didn't know you recognized me."

"You never knew. I am the world's best actor."

She looked away. Lucius was on the ground, Fyarl above him, huge hands gripping his head tightly. The cracking terra cotta skin contrasted sharply with the wheat color of his hair, and Rubellia breathed in deeply. "What do you want from me? To have fun at your party? Sloppy myself with your Chian wine and place bets?"

"I don't like your tone."

The Fyarl was pulling the vampire's head. A demon such as a Fyarl could do it, and then Lucius would be dust on the ground, mixing with the little pool of his blood and making a pinkish paste. His hair was turning red- the Fyarl's claws must have broken the skin of his scalp. The crowd exploded at the sight of more blood.

"I apologize Caesar."

As she spoke, Lucius kicked. His bare foot connected with the fyarl's leg with enough force to buckle the knee, and the demon fell on top of Lucius. He shoved the demon off and sprang to his feet, kicking the hulking demon in the gut before he could rise. The demon got to his feet after letting out a groan, and barreled into the vampire, who slammed a fist- and then a foot- into the fyarl's face.

"Oh, brilliant!" Nero cried, clapping. "Petronius, he is fantastic!"

"A fine specimen, Caesar," Petronius replied, though he did not look impressed.

Nero looked at her, all trace of coldness gone. "Rubellia, I want you here, at my side. You can help me with my venture. It is a glorious form of entertainment, no?"

"You're offering me a job?"

"Who better than the Slayer to collect demons?" Nero smiled. "My men have been getting awfully good at it, you know. But they die so easily, and it's hard to find brave ones nowadays. But you… You're the Slayer. It's in your nature. It is your nature. What does it matter where and how they die, just so long as they perish? Work with me, Rubellia, and I'll make it worth your while."

Below them, Lucius swung another punch, catching the Fyarl in the jaw. Before the huge demon could react, the vampire's hand shot out, and grabbed the soft skin under the fyarl's chin. His fingers sunk into the demon's reddish throat, and pulled. The demon fell to the ground; the crowd jumped to their feet.

Nero didn't move.

She took a breath. "No."

"You have gone completely insane!"

She'd known it was coming, known since Nero's face had closed, genteel mask in place and cold voice back. Not that he had spoken to her after his refusal, except for his curt words after the "party" had ended: "You have one day to change your mind." Marcus had been furious, but he hadn't said a word since they left the Janiculum. But now they were inside, and he was ready to yell. And yell he did.

Rubellia stopped walking as he continued his rant, and threw her shawl to the ground. A servant was at her side to pick it up in an instant, but she waved him away and sighed, then continued to Marcus' study. He entered behind her and slammed the door. "It's wrong. It's wrong and you know it."

Marcus shook his head violently, his hands clinched at his side, like he wanted to shake her instead. "It's opportunity-"

She cut him off. "How do they keep the demons caged, Marcus?" she asked. "The bands on their wrists, am I right? Black magic, am I right?"

"Black magic can be used for good…"

"You're deluding yourself."

"I know very well the effects of magic," he said stiffly, face angry. Then he changed, kneeling on the floor before her, face full of excitement. "Rubellia, do you know what this means?" Marcus asked, seizing her hands. "With Nero behind us, we could finally be above all this… Above the rumors and the precarious senate seat…"

"You mean you could finally be above it. I'd still be out there, almost dying every night."

"No. Nero could help keep you safe."

His tone was stubborn, and had it been anyone else, she would have scoffed and turned away. But Marcus was the levelheaded one, not given to fancy. His green eyes were frenzied, wide with hope, and his face, just now starting to line with age and slack at the jaw, was red from his breathless speech. It was only occasionally that what he truly was was revealed: a man placed below his birth to care for her, leaving ambition unfulfilled. He was handsome and talented, and because of her, he had never risen in the ranks of the Senate, hadn't held an office since their "marriage".

She had always wondered what life would have been like, if she had never been called. It would have been happier, she was sure. Would they have children? Would she love him? She thought so, but there was no point in pondering it. It wasn't to be.

She raised a hand to his face, and shook her head. "I found him his vampire. I won't do it again."

He stood and backed away from her touch, and nodded, face expressionless. "Fine. I accept your decision."

"Marcus… It's-"

"Wrong. Yes. Rubellia, you are very noble." His voice was dead, as though she'd stolen everything from him, and she stood, reached out again. He let her this time, and her gentle fingers on his face brought an almost-smile to his face, as he leaned back against his desk. "We both can't have what we want, Rubellia. I do understand that."

She closed her eyes and nodded. "I'm sorry for the things you had to give up." She turned away.

"So am I," he murmured.

And then the world went black.