“I'm saying this is proof that Domitian is planning to stage a coup in Aetheria.”
There is brief uproar around the room, but Rowan raises his hands for silence.
“You're certain of this?”he asks.
“I've been getting closer to him over the last few months,” Marcus replies.“It was inevitable when he sought influence over the games.Domitian saw that the renewal of the games provided him with an opportunity to meet with people and influence them.They provided a distraction for the masses and allowed him to present himself as a key public figure to them.At the same time he knew you would never attend, Rowan.He encouraged the people to forget about you and think of him as the city's leader.”
“That's just the start,” I add.“All of this, all of his attempts to make the games more violent, have been about manipulating unrest within the city, while trying to make it seem natural that it should return to being an empire.”
The senators are looking at me with confusion, as if they want to refute my words but it's obviously hard for them to do so when Marcus is standing next to me, saying the same thing.
“Why, though?”Octavio says.“Why would Domitian do such a thing?Isn't it more likely that he simply wants power and influence through the games?”
I take a breath.“He's working with Selene Ravenscroft.Part of the reason he shut down all the discussion of her was that he didn't want anyone to see her coming.He's preparing the way for her return.”
Senators are on their feet now, all talking at once.Rowan stands.
“Enough!Silence I said!”
Finally, they fall silent, letting him speak.
“The documents I've seen prove Domitian is corrupt and that he's working against Aetheria.That should be enough to bring him in for questioning.We'll find out the truth.”
“Where is he?”Marcus asks.“I expected him to be here.”
So did I, and his absence worries me.I reach out with my powers, looking through the eyes of birds flying over the city.As I do so, I realize we have a problem even bigger than I previously thought.
Guards march through the streets.They're carrying the old symbol of the empire, a burst of magic with a sword thrusting through it.They're moving to take control of the harbor, the gates and other key areas.
“Domitian isn't here because he's making his move,” I say.I must have spooked him with my attempt to break into his rooms, or maybe he just saw that the Senate meeting wasn't going his way before.It's even possible that he planned this from the start.Maybe that's why he left so early, why he almost caught me.“He has guards marching in the streets.He's trying to take over the city.”
“We can't allow it,” Rowan says.“Iwon'tallow the Republic to fall so easily.I'll gather every guard loyal to Aetheria.”
Marcus looks around the room.“We need to do the same.Normally we would vote, but ultimately this is about which of us will commit our power and our resources to stopping this attempt to overthrow us.I know many of you have personal guards.Some of you have connections in the gangs.You need to go to your people and get them to fight against this before it's too late.”
“You want us to summon our guards based on nothing more than the word of this beast whisperer?”Olivia says.
“Do it or don't,” Marcus replies.“But this is the moment when youchoose, Olivia.You choose whether you are committed to the Republic, or whether you're going to risk standing with Domitian, and hope that he has a place for you in his new empire.”
Olivia looks chastened, and nods.“I'll do what I can.”
Already the senators are running from the room, heading in different directions each determined to play their part.
“I need to coordinate things here,” Rowan says.
“Then I'll go out to try to take on his forces,” Marcus replies.The two of them have been at odds for so long in the senate discussions that it's strange to see them working together so smoothly.They both look at me.
“What are you going to do, Lyra?”Rowan asks.“With your abilities you could be useful to coordinate the defense, but I also know how much you could do out there on the streets.”
I have another aim in mind.
“If we need forces, then there's another group of people who will help us,” I say.“A group I’m sure Domitian wants to destroy.”
“You’re talking about Alaric and his people?”Rowan says.
“They just want to protect the city,” I say to him.“And Domitian is behind many of them being imprisoned.If we release them, they’ll help us.But I'll need more authority than just my word.”
Rowan nods grimly, grabs a sheet of parchment and starts to write.
