Isabella was just stepping outside the temple when she spotted Octavius exiting another part of the building, conversing with a priest named Amycus, who was the one who had led the prayers that morning. Isabella headed over to them, hesitant to interrupt. But luckily, Octavius saw her approach and said a goodbye to Amycus, who headed back inside. "Priestess Isabella. How is Emilia?"
"She is thriving here," replied Isabella. "She loves everything we do, from prayers to helping the community."
"I am glad," Octavius said in relief. "To be completely honest, I was not sure if this was the best place for her, but I'm extremely happy this worked out for her."
"We all protect her like our own daughter," Isabella said. "Or sister. Eunice especially."
"Amycus has just been telling me something, actually," Octavius said. "About a priest named Erebus."
At that name, Isabella felt a stab in her chest and her stomach twisted slightly.
"What about him?"
"He has been acting creepily," Octavius replied thoughtfully. "According to Amycus."
"Actually, speaking of Erebus, Emilia seems to have been acting a little skittish whenever he's around," Isabella thought aloud. "Whenever we all get together for prayers, she keeps looking over at him."
"They aren't…in a relationship, are they?" Ocatvius asked, dread settling in his stomach.
"Heavens no." Isabella looked shocked. "When she looks at him, it's usually with wariness."
Again, a stab in her chest. She couldn't help feeling that something was wrong…
"I think Emilia's in danger," she said aloud. "Sir…I think she's in danger."
"How?" Octavius asked worriedly. "How do you know?"
"I just…have a feeling in my stomach that won't go away. I feel like it's something to do with Erebus…"
Octavius opened his mouth to say something else but Isabella said, "Hold on." She turned to the outdoor hearth that had not worked in years. "Vesta, goddess of the hearth and home, if Emilia is in danger, please send me a sign."
A few seconds passed with nothing. Then, with a burst of blinding light, the hearth, that had not been lit in years, burst into flames. Isabella's heart froze and she turned to Octavius, who had also seen that. Her horror was reflected on his face. Before he could react, Isabella drew her concealed dagger and raced back into the building, towards Emilia's room. When she got there, she forced the door open and burst in.
Erebus was standing by the bed with his back to Isabella, his tunic lifted. Emilia was on the bed, curled up inside her robes, looking absolutely terrified.
Isabella acted.
As Erebus turned to face her, she charged forwards and brought her dagger down.
The punishment for rape or attempted rape of a Vestal Virgin was having the testicles crushed between two stones. However, Isabella did that job herself. Except she didn't crush with two stones. She sliced with her dagger.
Emilia started screaming in terror as Erebus staggered to the side, screaming in pain. Isabella delivered a flying kick to his chin, knocking him out.
As Isabella rushed to Emilia's side, Octavius burst into the room. Surveying the scene briefly, he addressed Isabella: "Is she okay?!"
Isabella sat down on the bed next to Emilia and brought her into a soft and gentle hug. Emilia clutched Isabella's robes and started sobbing uncontrollably, letting all her fear out. She seemed to be physically unharmed.
"She's not hurt," Isabella replied. "Emilia, did he do anything to you?"
Emilia frantically shook her head. "I'm pure!" she croaked. "I p-p-promise I'm still p-pure!"
Octavius's heart broke. Because of the selfish and monstrous actions of one man, Emilia could have lost her entire life. If Emilia was no longer a virgin, whether by her own choice or otherwise, she would be kicked out the Vestal Virgins, and she had nowhere else to go.
Looking over Erebus, Octavius started forwards angrily, before spotting the pool of blood on the floor. He automatically winced, his pelvis tightening. But he shook down the uncomfortable feeling and looked down at the priest, who was now conscious and clutching his bleeding private area.
"S-S-Sir," Emilia croaked from the bed. "Th-This isn't the f-first time he's d-done something like this."
"WHAT?!" yelled both Octavius and Isabella at the same time.
Forcing herself to look into the hate-filled eyes of her abuser, Emilia said, "Since I was fourteen, he has been touching me in inappropriate places. Like…" She trailed off, embarrassed to say the word in front of the general, and simply gestured to her chest area.
Octavius turned back to Erebus. "You've been…abusing my cousin…for over two years?!"
Erebus's eyes widened even more in panic. "Sh-She's your c-c-cousin?!"
"Half-cousin," Octavius said dismissively. "But that's not the point. You've been abusing her for two years?!"
Erebus wisely shut his mouth.
Emilia buried her face in Isabella's robes and broke back into distressed tears at the horror that had just almost happened to her. Her body was trembling as Isabella held her tightly, rocking her like a baby. "It's okay," she whispered gently. "I'm here, Em. I'm right here."
Octavius was more than enraged by what this asshole had done and almost done to his cousin. His sixteen-year-old cousin. Nobody deserved this, but a sixteen-year-old girl whose only life ambition was to stay a virgin forever?!
"Erebus," he said softly, his voice shaking with fury. "I arrest you for the sexual assault and attempted rape of a Vestal Virgin and sentence you to death without trial. You will be executed within the week."
Hearing this, Emilia felt great relief surge through her. The awful man would never be able to hurt her again.
She was finally safe.
Vesta, Diana, thank you.