That was a simple exhibition match, but it ended with Cesca tangled up in her opponents’ weapons, rendered helpless.If it had been to the death, she would have died right there in the colosseum.
“You say that as if I have anything to walk away to,” Cesca says.“We get paid for being in the arena, but not enough that I can simply retire.I have to offer myself to patrons, hoping their gifts are enough to keep me living comfortably.”
“And now Selene’s trying to kill you,” I say.“I’m surprised she didn’t just have you poisoned.”
“If I die in the colosseum, no one complains,” Cesca points out.“People probably even cheer.”
“Which is why you need to leave now,” I tell her.
Cesca looks at me sharply.“And go where?If I leave the colosseum, Selene will try to kill me more directly, just so I don’t tell anyone what I know.”
“Whatdoyou know?”I ask.
"I was caught up in one of her schemes.She was putting together a group to undertake a mission for her.She wanted me for my fighting skills and because I might be able to stun people quickly."
“What kind of mission?”I ask.If Selene is planning something so dangerous that she’s prepared to kill anyone who doesn’t want to be part of it, I need to know what’s going on.
Cesca hesitates.“This is the only card I have left.Once I play it, I have nothing to bargain with.”
“If you tell me what’s happening, I’ll make sure the resistance gets you to safety.You could join us.Or not.It will be your choice.We’ll keep you safe, either way.Don’t you want to be on the right side for once, Cesca?”
“I find the right side is usually the winning side,” Cesca replies.
I look her in the eye.“And when have you seen me and Alaric lose?”
Her expression is briefly filled with surprise as she realizes I’m serious.“You have a point.Every time, you seem to find a way.All right, I’ll tell you, but I want your word you’ll keep me safe.”
“You have it,” I tell her.I would have done what I could to protect her anyway, but I can’t tell her that, not if I want the information she has.Whatever Selene is planning, the resistance needs to be in the right place to stop her.
“She had us training in the catacombs,” Cesca says, “working as a team.She was talking about getting someone out of prison.I thought she just meant the prison tower, so I wasn’t that bothered, but then… she started talking about another prison.”
The emperor’s old hiding place for his enemies, the same one Rowan told me about.
“Who did she want you to rescue?”I ask, but even as I ask the question, a feeling of dread starts to build in me, because I feel certain I already know the answer.
“That’s the reason I pulled out,” Cesca says.“When I heard who it was.When I realized what it would mean for the city.”
“Who, Cesca?”I demand.
Cesca shudders.“She wanted us to rescue Domitian.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
"Can we trust her?"Alaric asks, as we both stand in the living room of what was once a merchant's house.Cesca is there, looking relieved to be away from the colosseum, while Thalia shows her around the place.
“I can’t feel any signs of deception in her,” I say.Cesca’s fear seems real, and my powers don’t catch any hints of other things that suggest she might be preparing to betray us.
“But you still brought her tothissafehouse, rather than the main one,” Alaric points out.
I nod.If I’m wrong, and Cesca decides to turn on the resistance, I don’t want her to be able to give away the location of our main safehouse.It’s better if she stays here, at least for now.
“I’m just being cautious,” I say.“But given what she’s told me, we can’t afford to just ignore her.”
Alaric looks worried, but he nods.“I want to hear her tell us all of it again.”
We go to her.Thalia is sticking close by, and I don't know if that's for support or as a guard.
“Tell me about Selene’s plans again,” Alaric says.
