At least now Elanar had shown me how to reach for the gifts of animals at a distance.
“I’ve slipped another few in as bodyguards to nobles attending the gathering,” Marcus says. “If it comes to a fight, they’ll be there.”
I hope tomorrow won’t turn into a fight. Even with Alaric’s followers and Marcus’ supporters, I’m not sure we would have the strength to take on a whole fortress’s worth of guards.
“Remember, we’re going to gather information,” I say.
Alaric nods. “But if the opportunity comes to stop what Selene is planning, we must take it.”
“For once, I agree with Alaric,” Marcus says. “There may come a point tomorrow where you have a chance to stop Selene, once and for all.”
“You’re talking about killing her?” I say.
Marcus nods.
“There must be a better way,” I insist.
“If she’s planning to take the city, and she has the power to turn anyone to her cause, she’s too dangerous to leave alive,” Marcus insists.
“Is that what you think?” I ask Alaric.
“I think it’s your choice,” Alaric says. “But if you can end this threat, Aetheria will be safer for it.”
They’re talking as though I’m going in there to assassinate Selene. I don’t know if that’s something I can do, even for the sake of the city. There must be a better way. I just hope that, whatever that way is, I can find it before Selene puts her plans into action.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Ironhold looms ahead of me in the growing darkness. The last time I was here, Selene saw through my disguise almost instantly, then had me ejected from her gathering. This time, though, I’m invited.
I haven’t dressed as a senator, but have instead dressed in a simple blue and silver dress, with a few pieces of jewelry to make it look more elegant. I’m trying to look like I’ve dressed for the gathering, when in fact, I’ve picked it to give myself as much freedom of movement as possible. I have a couple of daggers hidden beneath it in case this turns nasty, but if it comes to violence, I’ll be reliant on Alaric and Marcus to come to my aid.
They're moving through the dark with me, along with two separate groups of people. Alaric is at the head of a group that includes Thalia and around twenty other members of the resistance. Some of them are wheeling cages up the slopes towards the fortress, containing creatures that range from a collection of birds to a snapping crocodile that swishes its tail as it moves closer. Marcus is a little way away on the other side of me, with fighters who look like the kind of men and women nobles would normally employ for their protection. I would have preferred to have guards with us, but this kind of infiltration of Selene's gathering isn't exactly legal. There's a good chance we might have to answer questions about what's happening here before the senate, when this is done.
Marcus and Alaric both come over to me.
“This is where we part ways,” Marcus says. He glances up towards Ironhold. “Are you sure about this plan, Lyra? You’ll be alone in there.”
“I’m invited,” I say. “It’s my best chance to get in there and see who Selene is trying to influence.”
And maybe to undo that influence. I didn’t get to train for long with Elanar, but I’ve already used the skills he taught me to influence the emotions. He was confident I can use those powers to help those affected by psychomancy. I just hope he’s right.
“Don’t do anything immediately,” Alaric says. “It will take time for us to get into position inside the fortress. Wait for us as long as you can.”
“How will I know when you’re ready?” I ask.
“We’ll try to get a message to you,” Marcus says. “But it may not be possible. You just have to trust that we’re going to be there when you need us.”
I hope they will be. If they aren't, I'll be taking on Selene and everyone around her alone. Even fighting Selene one-on-one would be difficult.
“It’s time,” Alaric says. “Remember, if you need them, the beasts will be here.”
That’s reassuring. I can feel the presence of the creatures near me, feel the power and strength that resides within them. They feel frightened, and not just because they’re being transported in cages. It’s as if they can sense the potential for conflict in the air, sense the danger that might be coming.
I set off into the dark alone, still able to feel the presence of the beasts, but otherwise alone. I can’t even see into the fortress, because whatever Selene has done continues to push away birds and frighten away rats, leaving the interior of Ironhold a desert, without the eyes I need to spy on my foes.
But I can sensesomethings there. I can feel the gathering mass of people within, far greater than at Selene’s previous gathering. I can feel their anticipation, and the heady pleasures of a party building.
I approach the gates, and the guards look me over.
