17 Justus Scipio nodded his head without a word, then went out the door and disappeared down the street. Titus turned to his father, who shut the door with a somber look. “Is something wrong?” Titus asked, suddenly worried. “It’s Octavia.” “What about Octavia?” It had been years since Titus had seen his cousin, except from a distance and only on very rare occasions. Since she had become a vestal, he had never spoken to her. But the mere mention of her name brought back a flood of memories. “Octavia's disappeared!” said his father. Titus’ jaw dropped in surprise. Octavia? Disappeared? This was such enormous news that he could hardly believe it. “But how?” “Her disappearance was discovered this morning.” “But... but... What...?” Titus’ mind was in a jumble. He knew that his cousin had to consecrate thirty years of her life to the goddess Vesta. It was the same for all the vestals. He also knew that she was forbidden to meet any man and must remain chaste throughout that entire time. Any vestal who broke her vows did so on pain of death. And what a terrible death: the young woman would be buried alive. How could Octavia have run such a risk? “There’s talk of a kidnapping,” his father then explained, as though reading his mind. “Her abductor, or abductors, would have taken advantage of the storm last night.” “But who?” asked Titus. His father shrugged his shoulders. “Anything’s possible. Perhaps it’s the act of a madman, or a man in love.” “Which would mean...,” Titus said worriedly.
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