That news is almost as frightening as the sight of Marcus injured like this.I can’t believe the brazenness with which Selene’s supporters would attack a senator, but the vote they’ve forced through is worse.In one act, the senate has all but undone the Republic.
It has created the kingdom ruled by those with the most magic, Selene envisions, even if she somehow loses.It means that whoever wins the tournament will have authority only because of the power of their magic.
Thalia comes bursting into the villa, running up to the couch Marus is lying on.She looks at him with obvious concern.
“This is bad,” she says.“Very bad.I...I’ll do what I can, but you need to be prepared for the worst.”
She kneels by Marcus, pouring healing energy into him, even as his eyes slip closed.I feel fear for Marcus, hoping he’ll be all right, that he’ll survive, at least.But as I see the strain on Thalia’s face, I know that’s far from certain.
“Give me room to work,” Thalia says.
Alaric moves me back from Marcus, leading me away from the room.
“Come on, Lyra,” he says.“You know Thalia will do all she can.”
I know that, but it’s hard to see him lying there bleeding and notdoanything.
“What are we going to do, Alaric?”I ask.“You heard Marcus.Selene’s won the vote.That means martial law in the city, the potential for her to take the throne.”
“I know,” Alaric says, looking troubled.“I should start getting messages to my people.We need to be prepared for what will happen if Selene takes power.”
“Prepared?”I say.
“To rise up,” Alaric replies.“Or, failing that, to get as many people to safety as possible.”
But I know there will be nowhere safe, not with Selene in power.She’ll hunt down those who oppose her.She might not be behind what’s happened to Marcus, but it’s a message, nonetheless.It’s a reminder that all those who stand against her are in danger now, and that there’s no one they won’t hurt.
It seems like forever before Thalia comes out from working on Marcus.She looks exhausted, so unsteady on her feet that both Alaric and I have to grab her arms to support her.
“Will he live?”Alaric asks.
"It's still too early to say for sure," Thalia says."I closed the wounds and repaired what I could, but...there's a lot of damage.Too much for me to heal at once.Maybe too much to heal at all.Even if he survives, he'll be badly hurt."
It’s news that hits me like a physical blow.As I’m sure it was intended to.This was a move designed to break my resolve as much as punish Marcus.Or maybe it was intended to lure me into taking blind revenge.I’m sure Olivia and those like her will have plenty of guards around them right now, just waiting for me.
But that isn’t how I’m going to avenge this attack on Marcus.No, I’m going to do it in the colosseum.I’m going to fight my way through to face Selene, I’m going to beat her, and I’m going to take the throne she wants so badly away from her.
That’s my revenge, and I’m more determined than ever to take it now.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“Don’t worry,” Alaric says as we make our way to the colosseum.He’s wearing his usual disguise as a trainer, while I have a cloak wrapped around me.“I have the resistance watching Marcus.And I have more watching us.”
I wasn’t worried until he said it.I still don’t believe Selene will have me killed out in the street, even if she’s prepared to let her followers attack Marcus like that.As soon as Alaric says it, though, I start watching for danger, using the animals around me to check for potential enemies while feeling for any anger or aggression directed our way.
I see guards on many of the corners, watching for trouble.The streets are quiet for now, but I can see burnt out buildings where fighting has been taking place.I guess the senate would cancel the games if they weren’t such a good distraction for the citizens, and if Selene didn’t need them now to secure her rise to the imperial throne.
The avenue leading to the colosseum is packed, but people move out of my way, mostly letting me pass as they recognize me.A few stop and stare, or reach out to touch my arm as I pass, but I keep moving.My eyes are on the colosseum, and what waits for me within.
As soon as I enter the main betting hall, I see that the structure of the penultimate round of matches has been changed.Rather than a series of neat individual contests, clusters of names are stacked together.
“What’s going on?”I call out to one of the bookmakers.
He shrugs.“All I know is there was a declaration from the organizers.There are going to be two free for all bouts.Whoever’s left standing will face one another in the final, later today.”
So, Selene’s compressing the rest of the games into one day.It’s a sign of impatience.She clearly doesn’t want to wait any longer to take the throne.And maybe her supporters think that some chaotic mass combat is the best way to eliminate me.
Alaric and I head down into the preparation areas, and even as I do, I hear Selene’s voice ringing out over the colosseum.
