CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Ironhold looms ahead of me in the growing darkness. The last time I was here, Selene saw through my disguise almost instantly, then had me ejected from her gathering. This time, though, I’m invited.
I haven’t dressed as a senator, but have instead dressed in a simple blue and silver dress, with a few pieces of jewelry to make it look more elegant.
I’m trying to look like I’ve dressed for the gathering, when in fact, I’ve picked it to give myself as much freedom of movement as possible.
I have a couple of daggers hidden beneath it in case this turns nasty, but if it comes to violence, I’ll be reliant on Alaric and Marcus to come to my aid.
They're moving through the dark with me, along with two separate groups of people.
Alaric is at the head of a group that includes Thalia and around twenty other members of the resistance.
Some of them are wheeling cages up the slopes towards the fortress, containing creatures that range from a collection of birds to a snapping crocodile that swishes its tail as it moves closer.
Marcus is a little way away on the other side of me, with fighters who look like the kind of men and women nobles would normally employ for their protection.
I would have preferred to have guards with us, but this kind of infiltration of Selene's gathering isn't exactly legal.
There's a good chance we might have to answer questions about what's happening here before the senate, when this is done.
Marcus and Alaric both come over to me.
“This is where we part ways,” Marcus says. He glances up towards Ironhold. “Are you sure about this plan, Lyra? You’ll be alone in there.”
“I’m invited,” I say. “It’s my best chance to get in there and see who Selene is trying to influence.”
And maybe to undo that influence. I didn’t get to train for long with Elanar, but I’ve already used the skills he taught me to influence the emotions. He was confident I can use those powers to help those affected by psychomancy. I just hope he’s right.
“Don’t do anything immediately,” Alaric says. “It will take time for us to get into position inside the fortress. Wait for us as long as you can.”
“How will I know when you’re ready?” I ask.
“We’ll try to get a message to you,” Marcus says. “But it may not be possible. You just have to trust that we’re going to be there when you need us.”
I hope they will be. If they aren't, I'll be taking on Selene and everyone around her alone. Even fighting Selene one-on-one would be difficult.
“It’s time,” Alaric says. “Remember, if you need them, the beasts will be here.”
That’s reassuring. I can feel the presence of the creatures near me, feel the power and strength that resides within them.
They feel frightened, and not just because they’re being transported in cages.
It’s as if they can sense the potential for conflict in the air, sense the danger that might be coming.
I set off into the dark alone, still able to feel the presence of the beasts, but otherwise alone.
I can’t even see into the fortress, because whatever Selene has done continues to push away birds and frighten away rats, leaving the interior of Ironhold a desert, without the eyes I need to spy on my foes.
But I can sense some things there. I can feel the gathering mass of people within, far greater than at Selene’s previous gathering. I can feel their anticipation, and the heady pleasures of a party building.
I approach the gates, and the guards look me over.
“Senator Lyra Thornwind,” I say. “Accepting Selene Ravenscroft’s invitation.”
They look surprised, but nod a second later, stepping back.
Clearly, they’ve been told that I’m to be allowed in if I come; they just didn’t think I would.
I make my way through the fortress, trying not to look around too much for signs that the resistance or Marcus’ people are moving into position.
I don’t want to risk giving away their presence.
Instead, I make my way through the fortress, heading for the celebration.
There’s no servant to show me the way this time, but maybe that’s just because Selene knows I’ll remember the way.
I go through to the quarters once reserved for nobles, and I’m surprised when I hear people, not in one of the old suites, but in a room I’ve been in many times before.
It’s a cross between a temple space and a gallery, filled with statues depicting both the gods of Aetheria and famous gladiators throughout history.
People mingle among the statues, most dressed as nobles or merchants, but there are a few senators there too.
Olivia is sitting on one of many couches that must have been brought in for the occasion, attended by a couple of servants.
There are gladiators there, standing around in their training gear, attracting as much attention as they might have in the receiving rooms of the colosseum.
One noblewoman is leaning into a gladiator, her lips brushing his neck.
I wonder if this gathering will turn into one of the hedonistic parties Olivia is well known for.
But Olivia isn't the one throwing this gathering.
Selene is there, dressed in a fine dress that mingles white, purple, and gold, mixing the colors of the Republic with those of the old empire.
It's an acknowledgement that Selene isn't planning to work with the Republic now, but ultimately intends to tear it down.
She’s talking to people, one after another, and I can feel the subtle wash of her psychomancy in the background as she influences them.
There are so many people here, so many who might be turned into loyal servants by her magic and her words.
With those in this room, added to those she’s already gained control over, Selene might well be able to take a ruling position within Aetheria.
I reach down into myself for the skills I've learned from Elanar. I can't affect people's thoughts, but maybe I can protect them from Selene, at least. I can feel their primal needs, their emotions, and their drives, and I start to reach for those.
“Hello, Lyra,” Olivia says, moving up beside me. “You weren’t embarrassed enough last time you were here?”
I reach for her emotions, feeling the power of Selene’s psychomancy within her. I push Olivia’s emotions, seeing the way Selene has tangled up her suggestions with Olivia’s deepest needs and desires. But that means I can push those desires.
“I’m here to help you,” I say. “Selene tells you that supporting her will let you get pleasure beyond anything you’ve experienced, but you can get that yourself, can’t you? Isn’t that gladiator looking your way?”
At least one of the gladiators is looking at her, because Olivia is always good at attracting attention.
I push her desires, her most primal needs, building them up until they seem to wash over Selene’s psychomancy.
Olivia turns from me, heading for the gladiator, and a moment later the two of them are leaving the gathering.
“Impressive.”
I turn and find Selene regarding me with those deep violet eyes. She does seem impressed, as if she wasn’t expecting me to be able to undo any of her work.
“I’m glad you could make it, Lyra,” Selene says. She’s just a pace away from me now. Close enough that I could reach out and touch her. Close enough that I could reach out and stab her, if I draw one of my daggers.
Briefly, I think about what Marcus and Alaric told me I should do. They both thought that I should end this by killing Selene as soon as I got close. My hand twitches involuntarily towards a dagger, but I don’t draw it yet.
“You know I’ll go to her again when this is done?” Selene says. “I’ll whisper in her ear again, and she’ll be just as she was.”
Meaning my efforts will be for nothing.
“And you’ve only affected one person. It’s impressive, but it’s not enough, Lyra. Not in the face of what’s going to happen.”
“And what is going to happen?” I ask.
Selene smiles. “I’m glad you asked that, Lyra. Now that you’re here, I can finally get around to changing the world.”
She turns from me, apparently not caring that I could strike at her from behind. She seems convinced that I’ll want to hear what she has to say… and she’s right. I don’t attack her. I stand there and watch as she moves to the front of the room, raising her hands for silence.
“My friends, fellow citizens of Aetheria. It’s time for us to talk about our city, and what we want it to be.”
I realize that this is the moment when Selene will set out what she wants, my best chance to hear her plans. And, in hearing them, maybe I’ll be able to think of a way to stop her.