“I mean that I’ve been working to try to stop Domitian, but the only way to do that is to draw him into something he can't argue his way out of.Ofcourse, I saw the way he was twisting the games, but I guessed from the start that it would be a part of a bigger scheme.I needed to know what that scheme was.”Marcus looks at me imploringly.“I've been playing a double game almost from the moment the games reopened.It was clear Domitian was planning something dangerous, but he's a senator.It takes more than vague suspicions to bring one of us down.The best way to learn more was to get close to him, and the best way to do that was to play along with his schemes.”
“So you've been spying on him all this time?”I say.I can't keep the disbelief from my voice.“And why wouldn't you tell me that?”
He laughs.“Because that would have put you in danger, and me.If you said the wrong thing, got caught in a lie, Domitian would know what I've been doing, and he wouldn't hesitate to try to kill us both.The only reason he hasn't tried to take your life again is because he thought I could control you, and then because I convinced him that you'd been sidelined so much that you weren't a threat.”
“But how am I meant to believe you on this?”I say.“Even if it's true, you're admitting you've been lying to me so well I haven't spotted it.How do I know you aren’t lying to me now?”
“I've been collecting evidence against Domitian,” Marcus says.“Documents.Things that show the extent of his corruption.Things that show he's plotting treason.The whole point of what he's doing with the games is to weaken the Republic, to make it corrupt and gain the support of the common people.Things that would make it easy to put a new emperor in place.”
“So why haven't you presented that proof to the senate?”I say.
Marcus spreads his hands.“I almost had enough to do so, but I couldn't work out who he was working with.I always had the sense that there was someone else behind the scenes.Now, you've told me who: Selene Ravenscroft.”
“I don't have proof of that,” I say.“It's something Alaric told me.”
“Given the disruption he's caused, people might not be willing to listen to him,” Marcus says.“But it seems he's been working to try to protect the city.”
I don't know where I stand with Marcus.He clearly isn't the conspirator I thought he was, but I'm still not quite sure who he is.He's manipulated me, as well as everyone else.But right now, that doesn't matter.What matters is stopping Domitian.
“Do you have enough proof to convince the senate?”I ask Marcus.
He considers the question for a moment, then nods.“I believe so.Especially if it comes from me.I can tell them about the meetings.You know Domitian will say that this is just you manipulating me and that you're a traitor?He’ll try to have you executed.”
“I know that,” I say.I know the stakes are as high as in any battle I've had in the arena.Alaric’s life hangs in the balance, and mine might be at risk as well.The whole city is under threat from Domitian’s plans.
It only makes it more important that we stop him before it's too late.
“You said there's another senate meeting soon,” I say.“So let's get in there and show them the truth.”
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
The Senate is already meeting by the time Marcus and I walk in, in the middle of discussions over Alaric's fate.
“What is this?”Senator Octavio asks as we walk out into the middle of the debating floor.“You're interrupting the proceedings.”
I look around for Domitian and those who might support him.He isn't there in the chamber, and that worries me.Has my attempt to break into his rooms startled him?Has it forced his hand in some way?
It doesn't matter.What matters right now is presenting the evidence we have.
“With your leave,” Marcus says.“We have a matter to bring to the attention of the senate that cannot wait.”
“We're in the middle of the session,” Olivia snaps.“Can't you wait until we've decided what to do with these rebels before interrupting, Marcus?”
I look past her, to Rowan.“This is more important.Domitian is plotting against the city.”
There's an intake of breath around the room, perhaps in surprise that I would come out and make an accusation like that so clearly.
“You would say that, though,” Yarrow says.“You and he have been at one another's throats here and elsewhere.And he's the one pushing for your lover’s execution.Of course, you would try to discredit him.”
Those words sting.More than that, they make me feel a growing wave of fear.What if the Senate simply doesn't listen to us?What if Domitian has corrupted enough of them that they'll simply ignore me and hand the city to him?
Marcus speaks then.“What about me, Yarrow?Are you going to pretend thatI'maccusing Domitian to try to save Alaric?”
“You're accusing him too?”Octavio says.
Marcus nods.He steps towards Rowan, handing him a sheaf of letters.“These letters are between Domitian and various figures in the city.They show him trying to bribe them or control them.In some of them, he talks about making sure the gangs of the slums are on his side when the moment comes.In others, he talks about making sure the harbor is going to be shut down.He discusses what life will be like when he and those he works with are in control.”
“What are you saying?”Rowan asks.
