I gasp. The sound echoes in the domed space, and I put my fingers over my mouth. “Verhardt is dead?” I shake my head as tears immediately sting my eyes. My lip begins to quiver, not out of love for the senator but from shock. And fear of what this might mean for the republic. “But…we just saw him last night. I don’t understand.”
“It is a difficult crime to comprehend,” Eyo says, frowning. “But I am sure the Praetorian will deliver a suspect before dusk. Verhardt’s murder will not go unpunished. We will make an example out of the killer.”
Eyo holds his chin high as the other senators nod their approval.
“May the River of Death guide him and may the underworld receive him.” I incline my head, and the Senate does the same. “May Verhardt’s good deeds outweigh his flaws to lighten his soul.”
Once I’ve recited the typical death prayer, I raise my head. “So then the conclave will be delayed until—”
“The conclave will proceed as planned, High Priestess,” Senator Terrance says in a loud voice. He straightens his aged shoulders and rubs his fingers and thumbs together, as if physically taking the reins of the Council. “We have unanimously decided to move forward, as the needs of the republic are both pressing and greater than any one man—even our beloved friend. We face enemies both at home and abroad, which brings us to why we called you here. As we will now proceed with an even number of senators, we ask you to serve as the deciding vote in the event of a deadlock at this year’s conclave.”
My mouth falls open, and I widen my eyes, glancing at the senators. What they’re proposing has never been done before. Balance is maintained in part by the fact that the temples and Senate have separation.
Bloody lies, how would my father have handled this request?
My gut response is to decline. The Faith is not supposed to intervene in the political affairs of the republic. But, of course, we have before when we sided with the original Senate after they cut down the royal family. It’s how the temple of truth has eclipsed all other faiths.
The Praetorian’s eyebrows rise. “The High Priestess is not, nor has she ever been, an elected representative, Senators.”
I side-eye him. Of course he’d think I was unqualified. Even though I don’t want to vote, I bristle at the implication that I’m unable to.
“It is my suggestion that you allow us to investigate, for the conclave to be delayed, and for everyone to remain in the capital for your own safety,” Torren continues.
For our safety? So he believes this is not a single random act but an attack on the republic?
Senator Foreau shakes his head. His scalp is shaved so clean that it shines like varnished wood. He steeples his fingers and says, “We will be safer sequestered on the mountain—unless you and your men cannot properly perform your duties.”
Foreau stares at the Praetorian with eyes as dark brown as his skin.
“Of course.” A muscle in the Praetorian’s jaw ticks. “As you wish.”
Senator Medea waves a delicate hand. “We will be perfectly safe. But back to the matter before us: will you vote at the conclave, High Priestess? There is a desperate need left by Verhardt’s passing, and we ask that you serve the republic in this trying time, just as your father did before you.”
All eyes turn to me.
Underworld, what do I do now? My mind whirls. I need time to decide, to figure out the correct answer, but I feel like I’m in a pit of vipers and one wrong move will mean a venomous strike.
I bite the inside of my cheek. I don’t know why they want to hand me this kind of power. I can’t shake the feeling that there is more going on than I can sense.
My gaze lands on Foreau’s quietly amused expression. My stomach twists. Yes, there’s definitely a hidden agenda here.
I eye Medea on his right, but her face is perfectly powdered and expressionless as she waits.
I take in the remaining senators one by one.
Senator Eyo continues to stroke his manicured beard as Suh leans his large body on his diamond cane. Suh was part of the original council that killed the king. His gray hair is as short as when he was a general, even though he resigned from the legions long ago.
I wait for him to speak, as he was a friend of my father’s. He opens his mouth, but he just coughs, his heavy jowls rippling.
An unease settles across my shoulders as I continue to stall. Senator Terrance’s mouth is puckered now as if he swallowed a lemon. His patience wears thin.
Finally, I glance to Senator Paolo, but he’s not looking at me. He’s staring at Senator Medea and spinning the jeweled ring on his left hand. He and Medea have always been kind to me. I hope I can count on them during the conclave.
I startle as I realize I’m already contemplating the senators in terms of allies and enemies.
I turn my gaze back to Senator Foreau’s and find his mouth still slightly.
They have all let me take my time because they know I have no choice.
