I go after Senator Octavio. I wouldn’t call him a friend. I’m not even sure how many friends I have on the senate, now that I’m no longer with Marcus, but at least Octavio tries to be fair. He cares about the law, and about doing the right thing in the city. I use small animals within the colosseum to locate him, heading for one of the boxes. I rush after him, borrowing alittle speed from some of the birds around the arena so I can move faster. I’m certainly moving quickly compared to the aging senator, who doesn’t exactly hurry at the best of times, but now seems to be moving almost like a sleepwalker, ambling along at a sedate pace.
It means I catch up to him before he reaches his box. I don’t even know why he’s going back there when the fights are done for the day.
“Senator Octavio,” I say. “May I speak with you?”
The senator turns to me, smiling. “Yes, of course, Senator Lyra, what can I do for you?”
“I was wondering what you were discussing with Selene Ravenscroft,” I say. It’s a direct approach, but I hope Octavio will appreciate that directness. He’s never been someone to enjoy the political games some senators play.
“I’m not sure if I should say,” Octavio says.
“It’s just, I never thought the two of you were allies,” I point out. “You’ve always been so interested in the laws of the Republic, and she’s its enemy.”
“But, as she points out, she hasn’t actually broken our laws,” Octavio says. “In fact, she’s theembodimentof the laws. You know, I don’t think she’d mind me telling you. We were discussing whether a way could be found to give her a place in the senate and end this nonsense of her fighting to the death.”
That catches me by surprise. “But isn’t this what the law requires?”
Octavio looks blank, hesitating for a moment or two as though unable to remember what he was about to say.
“Oh no, it can’t be,” Octavio says. “After all, Selene would never ask for anything that breaks the law. She’s theembodimentof the law.”
“Yes, you said that,” I say, starting to feel a gnawing worm of worry rising within me.
“The embodiment of the law,” Octavio repeats, “which is why a place should be found for her on the senate. I’m sure you agree.”
That repetition could just be Octavio’s age. He’s nothing if not rambling when he addresses the senate. But his mind is also sharp, with a clear knowledge of all Aetheria’s laws and customs. For him to talk this way is more than strange, it’s actively disturbing.
I need to talk to Olivia as well.
“Thank you for your time, Senator Octavio,” I say, hurrying away from him. I go to try to find Olivia, and the birds above show a gilded palanquin bearing the symbol of her noble house heading back in the direction of her villa within the city walls.
I rush from the colosseum, not caring that there are still duties to undertake there, plenty of details to oversee as the day winds down. I run through the streets instead, pushing through the crowds making their way from the colosseum back to their homes, or more likely into the entertainment district to continue carousing into the evening.
Olivia’s home is an opulent villa in the middle of the noble district, a place decorated with painted statuary that depicts gods and monsters on almost every available surface. The outer walls are painted in vivid colors and even the pillars in front of the house have been gilded. Olivia lives for ostentation, pleasure and subtle influence.
A servant opens the door to me and looks me up and down in surprise, obviously knowing who I am. I’m the last person who would normally visit Olivia’s home, but I need to now.
“I must speak with Senator Olivia,” I say, and the servant nods.
“Of course, Senator, let me show you through.”
He leads the way into the house, to a space where Olivia is lounging on a couch, surrounded by a mixture of wealthymen and women attended by servants and entertainers. She's currently being fed grapes by a bare-chested young man. She looks up from her couch as I approach.
"Lyra, this is a surprise. Finally, come to take up my invitation to a party?"
Her parties are notorious for their hedonism and licentiousness. Just the thought of what I could have walked in on if I’d been a little later to get here makes me blush.
“I needed to talk to you,” I say, moving closer.
She gestures for me to sit on the couch next to her, and I do so, uncomfortably. The young man with the grapes doesn’t go anywhere. “What about?”
“About whatever you were discussing with Selene.”
“Oh,that?” Olivia says. “She was just explaining how much more pleasurable things would be if she got a seat on the senate. I must admit, I’m inclined to agree. Aren’t you?”
Her fingers brush my shoulder.
“No,” I say.
