"Should such coward deign to show face he would find it swiftly removed," Ilithyia answered, voice lifted as though the caller might be able to hear her, though she had long since ended the call. For a moment, she merely stood where she was, then drew in a breath and turned back to Meg.

She was prepared to offer drink when the phone shrilled again on the table.

"Jupiter's cock," she snapped, reaching for it. She fumbled briefly, then found the button that would make the call available for Meg to hear as well, then held it out toward her. A man breathed heavily over the phone, then asked, "Have you checked on your son?"

Ilithyia's expression didn't change. Her son was asleep across the room in his bassinet. The threat meant little.