There are a couple of people wearing the colors of the gangs, but mostly, this is a place for the wealthy.I see plenty of faces I recognize, nobles who seek to exert influence within the senate.Each seems to have claimed a space with a gilded couch at its heart, their entourages around them and servants moving between them as they supply food and drink.
Not that all the nobles are seated.Many are standing to get a better view of a central space surrounded by pillars where I'm sure the fights are going to happen, or just to mingle with one another.They aren't wearing cloaks or masks; clearly don't care who sees them here.They've decided they're among like-minded people, and so have no reason to hide.
A serving girl moves to greet us, holding out a tray with goblets of wine.Thalia takes one but doesn't offer one to me, in a small gesture obviously designed to make it clear to the servant that I'm not of the same status.
“Allow me to show you to your couch,” the servant says, leading the way to another of the gilded couches set around the room.“Should I stay to attend to you?”
Thalia shakes her head as she sits.“If I want anything, I'll send this one for it.”
I perch on the couch beside her, leaning close to her.
“I can see so many nobles I know,” I whisper.“And the merchants are all wealthy ones as well.”
“You were expecting this to be some grubby pit fight?”Thalia says.“You saw the last one.Go see what you can overhear while I mingle.If anyone asks what you're doing, say you're trying to fetch wine for your mistress.”
It's a simple idea, but it's one that gives me the freedom to move around the space.I stand and head off, trying to fit in with the crowds of hangers on, trying to overhear anything that will tell me who's behind all this.There are doors towards the back and I guess that's where the gladiators will be warming up in advance of their bouts.
I listen in to conversations as I go.
“…telling you, Selene’s return isn't as good as everyone thinks for us.Sure, she wants some of the same things, but do you think she's going to forget who sided with the Republic?”
“She'll understand that merchants take the winning side.But maybe she does complicate things.”
I keep moving, knowing I can't stand in one spot for too long.I almost bump into a nobleman, and he rounds on me, anger in his eyes.
“Watch where you’re going.”
“Yes, my lord.Sorry.”I force myself to say it as nervously as possible.I can see the nobleman looking me over.Fear fills me.Does he recognize me?
“What are you doing here anyway?Are you part of the entertainment?”
“My mistress sent me to fetch wine for her,” I say, using the lie Thalia gave me.
“And what if I told you to join me on my couch rather than doing that?”the nobleman says.
I try to hide my anger, remind me myself that I'm playing a part.“My mistress would be disappointed in me.I’m sorry, my lord, but my time is already spoken for.”
He snorts.“Servants who say no to their betters.Enjoy it while it lasts.”
He lets me go, at least, but I find myself wondering about his words.What does he mean “while it lasts”?
There seems to be some movement in the center of the temple space, and I hurry back to Thalia’s side, guessing that things must be beginning.A woman in the robes of a priest steps into the middle, staring out at the crowd.
“My friends.Truecitizens of Aetheria.We welcome you to another set of contests in honor of the city.You here understand the virtues of Aetheria: martial might and magical prowess.You've come to see those virtues in their highest form, in contests where life and death are on the line.Here, we feed the stones of Aetheria with the blood, magic, and pain of those who fight.In doing so, we honor the old ways of our city, and we understand the importance of those ways.The senate can try to change the nature of our city, but there is a natural order to things that they cannot overcome.That order will find itself restored.”
There's a cheer from the crowd, many of the nobles looking on hungrily.
“The contests will begin in a moment,” the priestess says.“But first, I think we should thank those who have risked so much to bring these true fights back to the city.Our organizers!”
She gestures to one corner of the room as those within the temple break into applause and cheering in support of the figures there.There are a few clustered together, and I guess not all of them are the organizers because there's a full entourage there, with servants and guards.
But there's one figure who stands out to me.One figure whose presence makes my blood run cold.He stands there smiling as if there's nothing wrong with him being here, as if his very presence isn't a betrayal of everything the city stands for.He waves, taking the applause, enjoying the moment and reveling in it, delighting in being the center of attention.
It’s Marcus.Marcus stands there, identified as the organizer of the fights, not even trying to hide his presence there.So much starts to make sense for me, even as it feels my world is crumbling around me.Marcus is the one behind all this, and I… I don't know what to do next.
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
For several seconds, I freeze as Marcus steps forward.
