“The Republic is corrupt,” Selene says. “The wrong people hold power from the shadows. There is no sense of law. Thesenate tries to act for the benefit of the people, or at least, some within try to, but they can never succeed. Not with the city as it is.”
She seems to be looking at me as she says it, as if to remind me of all the ways I haven’t been able to achieve what I want within the senate. I’ve tried to control the games, tried to make the lives of the ordinary people better, tried to rein in some of the corruption or excesses I’ve seen.
Can I really say I’ve succeeded? The games become more dangerous with every event. There are underground death matches in the city, run by the man I’m engaged to marry. A man who’s deeply embedded in the corruption of the city, ostensibly so he can then excise that corruption. Gangs still control much of the slums, and there are those senators who openly manipulate the city for their own gain. Trying to change anything seems almost impossible, some days.
“We’ve all seen this,” Selene says. “Which is why we need to tear things down and start again. We need to create a system that works, one that reflects the true pillars of Aetheria, and which allows it to be great.”
“Martial might and magical power?” I say. “Will those truly help the people of the city, Selene?”
She smiles. “The city can only be good for all its people when it is powerful. It needs wealth to spread that wealth among those who need it. It needs power to keep everyone safe. If we have skilled warriors, none will be able to stand against us or harm us.”
“So youarejust trying for a return to the empire?” I say. I step forward, and I find myself standing beside a statue that’s usually half hidden in the room. A statue of a woman rising from a wave of ferocious beasts: Valerian, the most powerful beast whisperer of the arena in ancient times. I wonder if it’s beenplaced more openly specifically so people will associate me with the most ferocious aspects of my kind.
“I told you before, Lyra, I want somethingbetterthan that,” Selene says. “The empire said it was about its precious twin virtues, but magical practitioners were forced to fight to the death, and were used by those who were born to the right blood.” Selene looks around the room pointedly. “That’s going to change.”
She stretches out her hand, conjuring a purple glow of power that flickers there in her palm like a flame.
“Magical power is what makes Aetheria special. Oh, other nations have their practitioners, but the stones beneath our city pulse out magic on a scale most other places can’t hope to match. More people here are born with the talents of an adept than anywhere else in the world. We have wonders in Aetheria, given to us by our magic. We have strength and safety, because of our magic.”
There’s a murmur of approval in the room.
“Isn’t it right that position in Aetheria should be based on that ability, rather than on birth?” Selene says.
“Don’t the games give us that?” a noble asks.
Selene shakes her head. “The games were always a way for noble families to gain control of those with true power. We took magical practitioners from around the empire and threw them into the colosseum, so that they wouldn’t be out on the empire’s fringes, threatening to rebel with their powers. Those who survived were coopted into noble families or given positions of honor in the army and administration… but that was just another way of controlling us!”
She raises her voice now.
“We with magic are special. A man can become more educated, can train to make himself stronger or better with arms. He can marry into the right family or learn to praise thegods. But if he’s a null he will never overcome that, never have the ability we possess to reshape the world.”
Has she invited no nulls to this gathering, then? Is this her plan?
“We will reshape the way the city is run,” Selene says. “We will place magic at its heart more than ever. We will create a city where becoming a part of the city’s elite will be about the magic you have to offer Aetheria, not just which family you were born into.”
“With you at the head of the city as a new empress?” I say.
Selene looks around the room, her violet eyes glowing with magic. Her gaze is a silent challenge to everybody there.
“Is there anyone here who can match my magic?” Selene asks. “I have read the histories, read about the Archons who went before me. I believe I’m more powerful than all of them. More powerful than anyone who might stand against me. Yes, I shall rule, and in ruling, I’ll bring wonders to Aetheria that make everything that’s gone before look like it is mere mist, to be blown away by the breeze.”
She believes it; I’m sure of it. Selene really thinks she will make Aetheria better by ruling it. Her magic will give people spectacular things, but it will also reduce those without magic to mere peons, there to be controlled with those who have greater talents.
“And what about those who stand against you as you try to become an empress?” I ask.
Selene fixes me with a level look. “Sacrifices will be necessary to bring about a greater future. Those who can be persuaded will be allowed to return to their homes in peace. Those who cannot…”
She lifts her hand and a blast of magic slams into the statue of Valerian, disintegrating it in a show of force that leaves little more than fragments of stone, settling by my feet.
“In my final bout in the colosseum, I’m going to remove my dampener,” Selene says. “I’m going to show the people that the senate could never truly contain me. I’ll ask you all to stand up beside me. I’m sure you all will. The only question is whatyou’lldo, Lyra.”
Her attention is solely on me, now.
“I made you an offer three days ago. You’re one of the most powerful magic users in the city. You could have a place of honor beside me, and your presence would help to convince the ordinary people to go along with us without violence. You would have a chance to help the people of the city, without having to worry about the politics and corruption of the senate.”
I hesitate. I suspect Selene is sincere in her offer. If I went along with her, I would truly be in a position of power, rather than just one more voice lost in the senate. I might be able to make a difference.
But how many of the people I care about would die then? Alaric would fight, and Rowan, and probably Marcus. People I’ve worked beside in the senate would die, and ordinary people who don’t like the thought of being forced to serve adepts.
