“Senator Lyra Thornwind,” I say. “Accepting Selene Ravenscroft’s invitation.”
They look surprised, but nod a second later, stepping back. Clearly, they’ve been told that I’m to be allowed in if I come; they just didn’t think I would. I make my way through the fortress, trying not to look around too much for signs that the resistance or Marcus’ people are moving into position. I don’t want to risk giving away their presence.
Instead, I make my way through the fortress, heading for the celebration. There’s no servant to show me the way this time, but maybe that’s just because Selene knows I’ll remember the way. I go through to the quarters once reserved for nobles, and I’m surprised when I hear people, not in one of the old suites, but in a room I’ve been in many times before.
It’s a cross between a temple space and a gallery, filled with statues depicting both the gods of Aetheria and famous gladiators throughout history. People mingle among the statues, most dressed as nobles or merchants, but there are a few senators there too. Olivia is sitting on one of many couches that must have been brought in for the occasion, attended by a couple of servants. There are gladiators there, standing around in their training gear, attracting as much attention as they might have in the receiving rooms of the colosseum. One noblewoman is leaning into a gladiator, her lips brushing his neck. I wonder if this gathering will turn into one of the hedonistic parties Olivia is well known for.
But Olivia isn't the one throwing this gathering. Selene is there, dressed in a fine dress that mingles white, purple, and gold, mixing the colors of the Republic with those of the old empire. It's an acknowledgement that Selene isn't planning to work with the Republic now, but ultimately intends to tear it down.
She’s talking to people, one after another, and I can feel the subtle wash of her psychomancy in the background as she influences them. There are so many people here, so many whomight be turned into loyal servants by her magic and her words. With those in this room, added to those she’s already gained control over, Selene might well be able to take a ruling position within Aetheria.
I reach down into myself for the skills I've learned from Elanar. I can't affect people's thoughts, but maybe I can protect them from Selene, at least. I can feel their primal needs, their emotions, and their drives, and I start to reach for those.
“Hello, Lyra,” Olivia says, moving up beside me. “You weren’t embarrassed enough last time you were here?”
I reach for her emotions, feeling the power of Selene’s psychomancy within her. I push Olivia’s emotions, seeing the way Selene has tangled up her suggestions with Olivia’s deepest needs and desires. But that means I can push those desires.
“I’m here to help you,” I say. “Selene tells you that supporting her will let you get pleasure beyond anything you’ve experienced, but you can get that yourself, can’t you? Isn’t that gladiator looking your way?”
At least one of the gladiators is looking at her, because Olivia is always good at attracting attention. I push her desires, her most primal needs, building them up until they seem to wash over Selene’s psychomancy. Olivia turns from me, heading for the gladiator, and a moment later the two of them are leaving the gathering.
“Impressive.”
I turn and find Selene regarding me with those deep violet eyes. Shedoesseem impressed, as if she wasn’t expecting me to be able to undo any of her work.
“I’m glad you could make it, Lyra,” Selene says. She’s just a pace away from me now. Close enough that I could reach out and touch her. Close enough that I could reach out and stab her, if I draw one of my daggers.
Briefly, I think about what Marcus and Alaric told me I should do. They both thought that I should end this by killing Selene as soon as I got close. My hand twitches involuntarily towards a dagger, but I don’t draw it yet.
“You know I’ll go to her again when this is done?” Selene says. “I’ll whisper in her ear again, and she’ll be just as she was.”
Meaning my efforts will be for nothing.
“And you’ve only affected one person. It’s impressive, but it’s not enough, Lyra. Not in the face of what’s going to happen.”
“And whatisgoing to happen?” I ask.
Selene smiles. “I’m glad you asked that, Lyra. Now that you’re here, I can finally get around to changing the world.”
She turns from me, apparently not caring that I could strike at her from behind. She seems convinced that I’ll want to hear what she has to say… and she’s right. I don’t attack her. I stand there and watch as she moves to the front of the room, raising her hands for silence.
“My friends, fellow citizens of Aetheria. It’s time for us to talk about our city, and what we want it to be.”
I realize that this is the moment when Selene will set out what she wants, my best chance to hear her plans. And, in hearing them, maybe I’ll be able to think of a way to stop her.
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
I can only watch as Selene stands at the front of the gallery space, in a spot cleared of statues. Every eye in the room is on her, and I can feel the anticipation there among those watching. They know that something momentous is about to happen, although maybe some of that knowledge has something to do with the waves of psychomancy pulsing out from Selene.
I try to counter those waves with my own powers, determined that people won’t simply be forced to agree with her, whatever she says.
“My friends, we’ve seen so many changes in the last couple of years,” Selene says. “The empire has fallen, the mad emperor overthrown and killed. Some of you might be surprised to hear that I don’t mourn for Tiberius, or for the system he represented.”
There’s a pause as people try to make sense of her words. I suspect many of them were expecting a return to the empire as it was, to everything they remember from the time before the Republic came into being.
“But nor do I think the Republic is the right way to go,” Selene says. “Who here truly thinks that it has produced the fairer society it intended, the world it promised the people as our current rulers took power?”
There’s a rumble of discontent in the room. Clearly, Selene has picked those here carefully. Her psychomancy is pushing them, but it isn’t the only facet of her influence. I would be foolish to think that it is. Selene is surrounded by those she thinks might be receptive to her words, and she isn’t afraid to use bribery, threats, or other manipulation.
