“But the two are bound up with one another,” Marcus insists.“The rioters were calling for their return, like I said.”
“So we should just give them what they want?”Octavio says, sounding doubtful.
“It might help to quell them,” Marcus insists.He gestures to me.“Lyra, you heard it too.You heard the things they were shouting.Tell the others, please.”
I stand, feeling the eyes of the others on me.“Some were shouting that they lost their jobs because the colosseum no longer runs the games.Others were saying that the streets were safer when criminals were thrown into the arena.”
“Exactly,” Marcus says.“We’ve taken something essential from Aetheria by ceasing to hold the games.They were crucial to our system of justice, to our economy, to the whole of life in the city.They provided a distraction for the people, but not just that.They fit into life in a thousand different ways.Stopping their cruelty was necessary, but stopping them entirely has left the city with an open wound.”
“So what are you asking for?”Rowan asks.
Marcus spreads his hands.“I’m simply asking to put a proposal before you in the morning.Something that will show how the games could be put on in a safe way, without death or serious injury.Lyra, I know you have concerns about the games.Will you help me work on that proposal?Will you look at ways the games could be made safe with me?”
I hesitate, put on the spot again.
“Yes,” I say, because I don’t know what else I can do.If there’s a chance to make sure the games are safer, I can’t just reject that opportunity.
“Very well,” Rowan says.“Come up with your proposal.Put it to us tomorrow.Then we’ll vote on this once and for all.”
“That’s all I ask,” Marcus says, and the meeting of the senate starts to break apart.I head through to the rooms beyond where the senators talk with the public and each other.
Aleric is waiting for me there, his face tight with anger.
“How could you agree to help put together a proposal to bring back the games?”he asks.
“To have some control over this,” I say.“If I’m not involved, I can’t make sure it’s safe.”
“It will never be safe,” Alaric says.“You’re just… you’re just being deceived by Marcus.You’ve let him get too close to you.You need to stay away from him, Lyra.”
“I can’t,” I say.“Not when I need to work with him on this.”
“Work with him, or is it more?”Alaric demands.“I see the way he looks at you.”
“You need to trust me,” I say.“With Marcus, and when it comes to the games.”
“How can I, when you’re working to put them back on?”Alaric says.“I wish… I wish I’d never come here.I thought I’d come to Aetheria to help you, but instead, you’ve just found ways to hurt me.”
“That’s not what I’m trying to do,” I insist.
“That doesn’t matter,” Alaric replies.“I can’t… I can’t be around you right now, Lyra.I’ll go to stay with my family.Please, just promise me you won’t work with Marcus.”
It’s a promise I can’t make, not when it’s the only way to stop the most dangerous versions of the games from coming into being.I hesitate, and I do so just a second too long, because Alaric’s face flashes with pain, and he turns from me.
“I guess you’ve made your choice,” he says, and walks away.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: KAI
“Kai, Kai, Kai!”
I don't think I'll ever get used to people chanting my name, particularly not the small horde of them who are currently crammed into the old warehouse, the fights have moved to, perching on every available surface to get a good view of the fights.
It’s in a spot in the slums that seems to serve as neutral ground between the gangs.At least, half a dozen of them seem to be working together to provide security for these fights, turning away anyone who might be with the city guard, making sure everyone pays their debts, keeping people back from the ring who don't belong there.
And, of course, bringing their shady businesses along with them.Cut purses work the crowd, but only the ones authorized by the gangs.Bookmakers call out odds on the fights.Pretty young women and handsome young men entice those with the coins to pay for their services, while wine and stronger substances flow freely.
Mostly, the crowd is just an undifferentiated scrum of people, but here and there, important people have staked out spots by having hired muscle keep people back.One has brought an ornate couch with him and is currently being fed grapes while he sips wine.
“Kai!We love you!”
