Olivia nods.“Some.But the rest will know far greater glory.And it won’t be as many as before.We have far more healers in the colosseum, after all, and the bouts will still be to incapacitation, with fighters able to beg the mercy of those in the council box.”
It will still make for a much bloodier and more dangerous spectacle than anything seen in the colosseum since the birth of the Republic.It will be closer to the death bouts Marcus holds beneath the city.
“I also propose that criminals should start to be brought out into the arena for execution,” Olivia says.“Some are due to die anyway, so whynotdo it out on the sands, where the citizens can have the full satisfaction of their death?”
Rowan starts to rise.“Such a thing would be-”
“No more than we’re already doing with Selene,” Olivia points out.
That's another part of Selene's plans: she volunteered to go into the colosseum rather than face execution, precisely so that people would get used to the idea of it as a tool of punishment once again.That is because she knew that being the only fighter to fight in bouts to death would make her a hero among those sections of the population that crave the blood and violence of the games.
“I will not allow this,” Rowan says.
The crowd in the viewing gallery boos again.
“You won’tallowit, First Senator?”Olivia asks, in a poisonously sweet tone.“Does that mean you’re declaring yourself emperor?Will you have those of us who disagree with you executed, perhaps out on the sands?”
Rowan looks angry, but he doesn't reply.He won't override the Senate.The only hope is to persuade it that this is a terrible idea.
“You’ve made your proposal,” Rowan says after several seconds.“But I, for one, vote against it.This is a terrible, evil idea.It risks us going back to the full cruelty of the empire.”
“It gives us back the glory we’ve been lacking,” a senator who wears the arm bracers of a former soldier says.“I vote for.”
“Against,” Senator Yarrow says.Probably, she’s worried about the ways this will disrupt her own illicit dealings in the slums but right now, I don’t care.We need every vote we can get.
“It fits with our ancient laws,” Senator Octavio says.“And the stones of the city must be fed with blood and power if they are to continue to pour magic into the world.The priests are clear on this.I vote for the proposal.”
I stand up and Olivia laughs.“I think we can take your vote against as read, Lyra.”
She clearly doesn’t want me to speak.In fact, I can hear a note of fear in her voice.Is she worried that I might be able to influence enough senators to change the result of this vote?
“I still have the right to address the chamber,” I say, spreading my hands, even as the gallery boos me.“My fellow senators, my friends, I won’t tell you that some here are still being unduly influenced.I know I won’t be believed.”
“Because you’re a liar!”a voice calls from the gallery.
“So, let’s talk about all the ways this proposal betrays everything the Republic stands for, instead.Those of us who were slave gladiators fought harder than anyone to overthrow the empire.We did it because we were sick of seeing our friends slain for the entertainment of the crowd.We did it because we hated seeing people condemned to die at the hands of our fellow gladiators or wild beasts, just because they spoke out.The Republic stands at a crossroads.It’s an idea that feels more delicate than ever before.Together, we’ve nurtured it, helped it to grow stronger so that it can help the people of this city.Have no doubt, a vote for this proposal today will damage our Republic, perhaps beyond repair.Thatis why I’m voting against, and I urge you to do the same.”
The air seems still after I speak.I was expecting more in the gallery to boo me as I sit down.Maybe, just maybe, there’s a chance to turn this around.
Marcus stands next.
“As you know, in most things, I stand with Lyra.I care for her and respect her.And she’s right that our Republic stands on a knife edge.The people are restless.There are pockets of corruption.And why?Because they don’t have the games they want.They’re the heart and soul of Aetheria and, as senators, I think we must consider all options for national stability, even ones we may initially find distasteful.That’s why, with a heavy heart, I must voteforthis proposal.”
I sit there in shock, simply staring at Marcus.I know he feels differently about the games than I do.He’s shown as much in running the underground fights.But if he was serious about just doing that to uncover corruption, I would have thought he’d at least vote againstthis.Especially when I know he has every reason to hate Selene.
It’s a betrayal that makes my heart ache almost to bursting as more votes come in.If Marcus had come to my side, his whole faction would have.Now, I’m left wondering if there’s any way I can get enough votes to oppose this proposal, or if Selene’s corruption has simply gone too deep to stop.
CHAPTER FOUR
As more and more votes come in, my heart sinks.I don’t have an exact count, but I can see the direction this is taking on Rowan’s face as he tallies the votes, and in Olivia’s satisfaction.I can feel it building up in the excitement of those in the gallery, and in the nervousness of senators like Yarrow, who might lose out if this plan goes ahead.
I can’t read Marcus’ expression.It’s a carefully blank mask, designed for political expediency.I’m starting to wonder if that’s true of everything about him.He becomes whatever the people around him need him to be.It’s what allowed him to survive his family’s downfall and rebuild.It’s what has brought him to one of the highest political offices in Aetheria, and to power over the city’s more corrupt elements.
Should I really be surprised he’s voted for Selene’s idea of a return to the games as they were?Marcus never made a secret of his love for the games, and he clearly enjoys the violence of them more than I do.He’s never been forced to fight in the colosseum, so he doesn’t have my visceral reaction to the thought of people being killed there.
Even so, I feel an almost overwhelming feeling of disappointment at what he’s done here, especially as Rowan stands, ready to announce the results of the vote.His expression is grim, his brows furrowed as he reads out the final tally.
“The vote is concluded.Senator Olivia’s proposal is passed.”
