The Wolf Den

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The Lupanar in Pompeii had two meanings for the Romans – both brothel and den of wolves, just as the word Lupa could mean both prostitute or she-wolf.

She holds her hands up as if in prayer, steam evaporating from her skin. The water laps at her neck as she lies back into its warmth. Laughter and female voices surround her, a confusion of sound echoing off the stone. She filters it out, focusing on her fingers, turning them, watching the water drip down, the steam rise. They could be anybody’s hands, she thinks, they could belong to anybody. But they belong to Felix.

Then another’s fingers interlock with hers, breaking her reverie. Victoria drags her upwards, out of the water.

“Amara! You’re getting your hair wet! You can’t lie back like that!” Victoria’s nails pinch her skin as she tries to revive the curls now plastered to Amara’s shoulders. “They’re like rat’s tails. What were you thinking?”

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