In case you missed the earthquake, I’m proud to announce that In Numina is now available! Paperbacks are already live, and eBooks are due September 1st! (You can preorder right now, and start reading over the weekend 😉

Above is the gorgeous cover. I is think it’s just the snazziest thing, perfectly continuing the theme of Togas, Daggers, and Magic. And, as you might guess from the cover, the story centres around haunted houses.

To get you all excited, though, we need more than just a cover. I therefore chatted with one of the novels’ most charming characters. This young lady serves as a counter-weight to our protagonist (though both will clamour if you call her a “love interest”). She sat down to tell us about life in Egretia, that wonderful fantasy city based on Ancient Rome and Alexandria – but from a point of view other the Felix’s. I mean, he’s a lovable rascal and all that, but sometimes other people want to get a word in edgewise.

The interview is set at a time between the books, and was originally published on my other blog, dedicated to interviewing characters out of books. It reveals things that might surprise even long-time fans!

So without further ado, meet Aemilia!

---

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

I grew up in the Clivi Ulterior, in my family’s domus. If you’re not familiar with our city, the Clivi Ulterior are the highest reaches still within city limits on mount Vergu. It’s a neighborhood of rich men’s mansions. My father was Tiberius Aemilius Mamercus, a consul and a direct descendant of the T. Aemilius Mamercus.

My life, I know, was better than for the vast majority of people in our city. In matter of fact, I knew little about how most Egretian live their lives. I grew up with friends of the same social circle – sons and daughters of the Senate’s elite. My elder brother died young, but my family kept his tutor. I thus benefited for a scholarly education beyond that of most women.

Did you have any favourite toys as a child? Any cherished memories?

My brother had a couple of wooden toy soldiers, that one of the slaves made for him. One was an Egretian legionary, the other an Arbari barbarian. When Tiberius died from the ague, I kept those soldiers. I hid them under my pillow, and I imagined my brother’s spirit was still in them, that he – and they – were guarding me. I treasured them more than anything else I owned. I still have them.

What do you do now?

Trying to delay the inevitable… I’m nineteen. My mother is busy planning my wedding. I may have some little say in who I marry – or at least absolutely refuse to marry – but the outcome would be the same. Some young scion of a well-respected, old family. Probably a lawyer or a promising career military man, on his way to the senate. Me, I’d just like to experience life a little bit, before I become a show wife, sitting quietly behind the loom.

What can you tell us about your latest adventure?

Ha! A young woman of my social standing is not allowed to have “adventures”. Not formally, that is. That never stopped me. My cousin Caeso has died in some strange circumstances, and the family wanted to keep it quiet. They hired a man to find out the killers, which he did. I am thankful for him bringing peace to my uncle, even though I thought his methods dubious.

Now another uncle seems to have ran afoul of some bad property investments, his tenants claiming that his apartment blocks are haunted. We thought Felix could resolve this too, so we recommended him. But I’d love to know how he approaches this.

What did you first think when your uncle mentioned the haunted buildings?

We were all rather taken aback by it. We’ve heard of such occurrences, of course. But that’s why we have priests. It’s their civic responsibility to take care of the dead, to hold the yearly rites, to open and close the doors of the Mundus on time, so that the shades of the dead can find peace.

But my uncle was wary of the approaching the priests. They would have made a large show of it, and his political rivals at the senate would mock him, would insist he is cursed by the gods and that none should listen to him. This came at a time he was pushing for some new legislation, and so he wanted the matter investigated and resolved quietly, away from the public’s eye.

What was the scariest thing in your adventures?

Almost becoming a virgin sacrifice, thrown into a volcano. Luckily, I barely remember the events of that day.

What are the worst and best things about living in Egretia?

The worst? Our city is the best in all the lands, the greatest amongst great people. We have opportunities for everyone – learning, working, leading. If you want worse places, go see how other people live.

Tell us a little about your friends.

You’re asking about Felix, aren’t you? Well, I wouldn’t classify him as a friend. My longest friend is Junia Tertia. She’s only a year older than me. Our parents are friends, so we share many memories together. She is married now, and though her husband is nearing forty he treats her well. He’s running for aedileship this year, and she is expecting their first baby. I pray to the Magna Mater daily to look out for her and hers, and that their coming year would be blessed.

Any romantic involvement?

Err… hmm… I’d rather not say. My mother might get the wrong ideas.

Besides, there is little place in the life of a young woman of social standing for romance anyway.

Whom (or what) do you really hate?

The thing that really gets my all riled up, what raises my hackles and I find hardest to ignore, is stupidity. Either when people are such, or when they are taken as such by others. Our great city needs its legions and its masses, but we are the greatest city that ever rose! Even the poor can learn the basics of reading and arithmetic, let alone middle classes. There is no excuse for not thinking for one’s self, and no crime more deplorable than taking advantage of people’s trust.

What’s your favourite drink, colour, and relaxing pastime?

Mulsum made with grapes from my family’s vineyards and honey from my uncle’s apiaries in the Kebric Isles. Verguvian wines are the best, as anyone will tell you, but not many know – or can afford – my uncles special honey. The result has to be like the gods’ nectar.

As for pastime, without a doubt that is reading. What? You were expecting me to a be old-fashioned and enjoy loom-work? I know how to weave, of course, as I have been properly educated. But nothing beats reading.

What does the future hold for you?

A difficult question. I know what my mother would like it to hold, which is probably what will happen, even though it is not my first choice. My mother will find some nice upcoming senator for me to marry. I will be a dutiful wife, bear his children, raise them, be a respectable matron.

Could be worse. If my father was still alive, he might have married me to cement some political alliance to a man his own age. At least this way I get some choice in the matter.

Can you share a secret with us, which you’ve never told anyone else?

When I was an impressionable girl of twelve years, I found my mother’s collection of illustrated erotic poetry… I grew up a lot that summer.

---

Like what you see? Grab a copy of In Numina and start reading this weekend!

Want more? Check the excerpts!