As Reyna followed Frank towards the Senate House, she felt like her heart was actually going to beat out of her chest. She didn't know what was going on, and it scared her. Everything was moving too quickly. Prisca was telling her to deny everything, and it wasn't like Reyna had any other choice. If a member of the Senate learned that Reyna committed patricide, it would destroy Reyna's world.
"Frank, what is going on?" Reyna asked. She quickly matched Frank's pace and tried to keep her thoughts clear. That didn't work, as worries flooded her mind. What if this was all some kind of set up? Prisca could just be trying to get close to her and find some physical proof to give to the Senate. Was Reyna just being paranoid?
"A goddess called a Senate meeting," Frank answered. Reyna nodded and looked at Frank. She tried to keep her face clear but struggled to. Frank seemed to study her, and a small frown came to his face. "I didn't recognize her though. She just appeared in a bright light, and a few of the Senators seemed to recognize her. I have no clue who she is."
"Great," Reyna muttered. Her gut twisted, and she felt ready to vomit. Reyna could feel that she was going to start hyperventilating. She took a few deep breaths and counted backwards from ten. When Frank had traveled with the other seven to save the world, did he run into Venus? If not, that would explain why he didn't recognize her. Was Venus the one who called the meeting? Was this revenge for what Reyna did to Piper? "Do you know why she called a meeting?"
"No," Frank answered. Reyna nodded and kept trying to calm herself. The two of them stepped into the Senate House, and Reyna slowly moved her gaze across the room. She could see that most of the Senators were already gathered. A few of the ambassadors were there as well. As Reyna scanned the room, she found a lone woman standing by herself.
The woman was no doubt the goddess that had called the meeting. She looked young and almost naive. The goddess had brown hair and kind but somehow piercing brown eyes. It wasn't Venus, but Reyna wasn't quite sure who it was.
As Reyna watched Nerva and Prisca move to the woman's side, the answer came to her. Reyna's gut twisted, and she stared at the ground. Frank spoke, "Is that Veritas?"
"I think it is," Reyna answered. She sighed and could feel the familiar weight of the world on her shoulders. The only difference this time was that it was her world and her life on her shoulder. There was no one who could help her.
Why was Veritas the one who called the meeting though? She had never visited Camp Jupiter before, not when Reyna was there at least. What changed now? Reyna could guess the answer to that, and she slowly looked at Nerva. A small smile was on Nerva's face.
"Frank," Reyna began. She knew this was the end. All of her hard work was going to go up in smoke and flames because Nerva had some kind of vendetta against her. Reyna didn't even know what she did, but she was going to pay for it soon. Reyna looked at Frank. "Whatever happens, you're a good praetor, and I think you're ready to lead this camp by yourself. Don't let anyone tell you different."
"What's going on?" Frank asked. Reyna didn't respond. It was getting harder to breath, and she could feel that a panic attack was about to start. She needed to calm down though. "Reyna, is something wrong?"
Reyna didn't trust herself to answer, so she just looked at the Senate. Her gaze focused on Arria, and when Arria met her eyes, she gave Reyna a small nod. Reyna felt herself relaxing slightly, and she was able to breath. Arria would be there for her, and her friends would as well.
"Reyna, you're kind of freaking me out," Frank admitted. Reyna slowly looked at him. It wasn't fair to force him into this kind of situation where he had to choose between duty or a friend. It would be good practice though, even if it was at Reyna's expense. "What's going on?"
"I'll explain everything later, if you'll hear me out," Reyna promised. Frank studied her for a few moments and finally nodded. Reyna slowly walked towards her chair. Her two dogs had been curled up in the chair, but as she walked near, they moved to her side.
Reyna slowly sat in her chair, which was a good thing since her knees were starting to shake. Her two dogs pressed against her legs. Frank sat in the chair next to her, and the last few members of the Senate filed in. Reyna saw Nico slip into the room, and he moved to Arria's side.
"Is everyone here?" Veritas asked. Her voice was a quiet calm. All of the whispering immediately ceased, and everyone focused on the goddess. Veritas slowly stepped into the center of the room and seemed to study all of them.
"Everyone is here," Frank answered. Reyna slowly looked at him. Frank probably looked a lot more calm and collected than Reyna did. "My lady, why have you called us together?"
For a few moments, Veritas looked directly at Reyna, and any panic that Reyna had been suppressing calm back like a tidal wave. Veritas spoke, "I have heard a very disturbing rumor, and I have come to see if it is true. I believe you were the one investigating this, Frank Zhang."
"I was," Frank answered. He glanced at Reyna. Frank lowered his voice. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this."
Reyna stared up at Frank. She was certain that no one else in the Senate had heard what Frank said. That didn't make her feel any better. Did Nerva tell Frank what Reyna had done? Was he investigating her? What kind of cruel irony was that?
"And, what was it that you were investigating?" Veritas asked. Frank studied Reyna for a long moment. She studied him back. Frank finally stood and walked towards the middle of the Senate House. Everyone had their attention on him.
"I learned of a grave crime," Frank answered. Reyna closed her eyes and felt her heart drop to her stomach. This was the end. She just hoped that she wouldn't be judged too harshly and that she could get away with her life intact.
The panic came back in full force, and all Reyna could do was hope that everything would turn out favorable. It didn't even have to turn out great. She just needed something to go her way. That was all Reyna wanted.
"I learned that Inquisitor Nerva is bribing my fellow praetor," Frank said. Reyna's eyes slowly opened, and she blinked a few times. She repeated those words in her head. Then, her gaze moved towards Frank. He was looking right at Nerva. "I learned about this recently, but I wasn't sure how to tell you Lady Veritas."
Reyna's eyes slowly moved around the Senate. Everyone was staring in what looked like shock. Her gaze moved to Arria. There was a small, almost disbelieving frown on Arria's face. Prisca had one eyebrow raised and was looking at Nerva with a small smirk.
"He's not serious, is he?" Prisca questioned, loud enough for the rest of the Senate to hear. Nerva studied Reyna for a few moments. There was no emotion on her face. "Praetor Zhang, the Inquisition does not bribe people. Our masks don't allow it."
Why would Prisca tell Reyna to deny everything but also work against her? Reyna just stared at the scene and knew it was best to keep her mouth shut. If she said anything, it would probably come out in a panicked stutter.
"My mark does guarantee virtue," Veritas said. Prisca nodded her agreement. Reyna just stared down at the black, steel mask that hung from the belts of Prisca and Nerva. She knew the mask was marked by Veritas. It allowed the Inquisition to see through the Mist even more than a normal demigod could. It allowed them to see other things as well.
The mask also seemed to drain their emotions, which was indicated from how gray their eyes were after taking off the mask. It took a few days for them to go back to their normal selves, which was when their eyes would return to their normal color. The most important thing about the mask was that it kept them from lying and doing anything that Veritas didn't order them to do.
"This crime was committed when Nerva's mask was not on," Frank stated, and he didn't back down from Prisca's silent challenge. "There is more crimes than Nerva just bribing my fellow praetor. She also endangered my fellow Romans when they went to investigate a Roman town."
"That is a very serious accusation, praetor. Do you have any proof?" Veritas stated. Frank's eyes moved to Prisca.
"I looked through the reports of everyone who was in the small town, and I even received a letter from the mayor there. He told me that those mortals who caused all of the issues had no clue how they got there. They didn't remember doing any of those things and seemed like they were under some kind of spell," Frank explained. "The Inquisition set them up, and I know that Nerva and Prisca were there. They can tell you the truth."
"They will tell me the truth," Veritas said. Any kindness in her voice was gone. Reyna slowly glanced up. Nerva was glaring at her with pure hatred. "Inquisitor Stremluk, what involvement did you have in that town. Did you endanger the Romans there and how?"
"They were never going to be hurt," Nerva answered. Whispers ran through the Senate. Nerva slowly looked around and kept the anger on her face. "Praetor Ramirez-Arellano is evil. She committed a grave crime when she was younger, and it is only a matter of time until she does much worse."
"Inquisitor Stremluk ordered me to go to the small town and use charmspeak to tell the two mortals what to do," Prisca explained. "We poisoned the cake that the two was using to celebrate, and when the demigods from Camp Jupiter came, we poisoned them as well. The same happened to the Greek demigods who investigated on their own. I was told the town was the site of a possession that had spilled out into the other camps. I did not realize what we were actually doing."
"I was gathering evidence on the praetor's crime," Nerva stated. "None of those people were going to be truly harmed."
"Which crime were you going to accuse Reyna of?" Frank asked. He lifted a stack of files from the table. Reyna frowned. She had seen him with the files earlier in the day but thought it was just paperwork that he forgot. "Let's see. There is a couple of good files in here, and all of them are filled with false information. There's one for funneling funds to the Amazons, one for receiving bribes to promote certain legionnaires to centurions, and there is even something about patricide. All of these are lies."
"I only built a case against the praetor for one thing," Nerva said, but her voice was quieter than normal. Veritas slowly looked at Nerva. "My lady, I only sought evidence towards the true crime."
"Lady Veritas," Frank began. As the goddess looked at him, he seemed to hesitate. He then nodded to himself and walked towards Veritas. "If you look through these, you will find the cases that Nerva has built. I believe she was going to find what sounded the most damning and bring it to the Senate. I can already tell you that everything in here is a lie or a half truth."
"Praetor Zhang, you searched my private quarters?" Nerva demanded. Her eyes slowly moved towards Reyna. "Or, did you drag your fellow praetor down with you to hide your crime?"
Reyna just remained silent. She stared into Nerva's eyes. Reyna was completely stressed about what was going to happen, but she appreciated Frank. He was trying to defend her, even if he didn't know the whole truth. His plan was a solid one though. He was trying to discredit anything that Nerva brought forth before she could even bring it up. With a goddess of truth in the same room, would it even work?
After a few moments, Veritas grabbed the files from Frank and started to go trough them. Nerva quickly spoke, "My lady, they tell you lies. Surely, you can see that. There was information in my room that I should not have, but it was part of the proof that I needed. I did not have that many papers."
"Are you accusing one of us of planting evidence in your room?" Dakota asked. Reyna shot the centurion a look, but he was standing angrily. "Hazel almost died at the town, and you're telling me the Inquisition set that up. Now, their leader is trying to discredit our senior praetor."
"Your senior praetor killed her father," Nerva snapped. Reyna tensed, and she watched the Senate break out in whispers that quickly turned into full blown protests and a few shouts. All she could do was stare at Nerva and try to keep herself from freaking out. Her greatest secret was just thrown out there by Nerva. The inquisitor was going down, and she was going to take Reyna with her.
"Enough," Veritas said. She raised a hand, and the entire Senate fell silent. Veritas slowly looked at Reyna. "Praetor, did you murder your father?"
Was this Reyna's trial? There was no evidence that was going to be shown. There would be no way for her to defend herself. Reyna would answer the question, and she would condemn herself that way. Prisca told her to deny everything though, no matter who asked.
Was all of this a trap? Did Nerva and Prisca want her to lie to Veritas? Or, did Prisca want to help her. Reyna stared into Veritas' eyes. While it felt like an eternity, she knew only a second or two had passed. Anymore hesitation would only make her look guilty. Reyna spoke, "No. I did not murder my father."
"You speak the truth," Veritas said after a long pause. Reyna was glad she was sitting, considering her knees went weak at the words. Veritas believed her. She just lied to the goddess of truth. Wait. How did she lie to Veritas? "Praetor, I am sorry that my lead inquisitor has tried to ruin your reputation and has made moves against this camp. She will be punished appropriately."
"My lady," Nerva began. Veritas gave her a cold look, and Nerva looked down. "My lady, I do not lie. Reyna committed patricide. You have to see past their deception."
"Prisca, you are in charge of the Inquisition, effective immediately," Veritas stated. "Learn the extent of the damage that you have caused and report back to me. We will discuss your punishment then."
"Yes my lady," Prisca answered. She bowed her head and stared at the ground. Veritas grabbed onto Nerva's shoulder, and she started to glow. Reyna looked away, and when the bright light disappeared, she forced herself to look at Frank.
"Everyone go back to your barracks. My fellow praetor and I will discuss this with Prisca, and we will discuss this first thing in the morning," Frank said. Reyna could tell the Senate wanted to ask plenty of questions, but they slowly filed out.
"Thank you," Reyna whispered, and she looked at Frank. He looked at her and smiled slightly. "How did you know?"
"Prisca approached me," Frank said. Reyna turned her head to look at Prisca. The inquisitor had made her way towards them but was staying a respectable distance away. "I couldn't have figured this out without her help."
"Thank you," Reyna said. Prisca nodded and walked to the their side. "Why would you help me though?"
"I did not realize what we were truly doing at the town until it was too late," Prisca answered. She looked down and shook her head. "Nerva was a great leader, until we captured that witch. Ever since Nerva interrogated Felika, Nerva changed. She has been abusing her powers, and I knew we had to put a stop to it. I am sorry that you got dragged into the middle of this."
"Thank you," Reyna repeated. She slowly stood and stared at the ground. "I don't know what I would have done without you two to help me."
"You have friends in unexpected places, praetor. Just stay true to yourself," Prisca said. She glanced at Frank. "May I speak to Reyna alone for a moment."
Frank seemed hesitant, but when Reyna nodded, he stepped away. Prisca stepped closer and spoke, "Murder is different than what you did, praetor. Veritas knows this. That is why she said that you did not lie. I am sorry about what happened, but we will make it up to you."
"Veritas said she would punish you," Reyna began. Prisca nodded. "I can't let her do that, especially since you helped."
"I will accept whatever punishment comes my way, praetor. Nerva may have lost her loyalty to truth, but I have not. We should compare stories about the town and find out everything that Veritas needs," Prisca said.
"Thank you, Prisca. I owe you," Reyna whispered. Prisca looked at her and shook her head. Reyna wanted to argue, but she finally looked down. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, praetor. You should also retrieve the son of Pluto and the centurion of the fifth cohort. Their testimonies will be valuable as well," Prisca said. Reyna nodded. She took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. In the end, everything had worked out for her, but Nerva was going to be punished by Veritas.
There was also the matter of Arria and Nerva's relationship. Something told Reyna that Arria was part of the reason that Prisca had helped her. If Nerva learned about that, there was no telling what her reaction would be. For now, all Reyna could do was get all of the facts of the city. Then, she would find an excuse to go to Camp Half-Blood and apologize to Piper. After that, she would figure out how to get back with Arria.
