Chapter 6: A Touch of influence

Lysandra straightened her shoulders as she approached the great oak doors of the main hall. The guards positioned on either side glanced at her with newfound curiosity, word of her special position had already spread throughout the household. With a deep breath, she nodded at them, and they swung the doors open to reveal the buzzing activity within.

The main hall of Theron Blackwood's estate was designed to impress. Tall windows along the eastern wall allowed morning light to illuminate the polished marble floors and the tapestries depicting Blackwood trading ships conquering distant shores. A massive chandelier hung from the coffered ceiling, its hundreds of candles creating a soft glow that complemented the natural light. Today, servants scurried about, arranging refreshments on side tables while Theron stood in the center, entertaining half a dozen men in expensive attire.

Lysandra paused at the threshold, taking in the scene. These were not just any men, these were members of the Merchant Consortium, powerful traders whose collective influence rivaled that of minor nobility. She recognized a few from previous gatherings: Lord Cassian with his scholarly spectacles and meticulously groomed appearance, always compensating for his unremarkable features with extravagant displays of wealth; Baron Eldric, corpulent and jovial, whose shipping enterprises kept the empire's northern provinces supplied; and the Voss brothers, twins whose matched appearance in contrasting colors, one in deep blue, one in burgundy, made them instantly identifiable.

Theron spotted her immediately, his eyes lighting up in a way that made Lysandra's skin Prickled with both power and disgust. His obsession had grown stronger since that night, and handling it required constant vigilance.

"Ah, here she is," Theron called out, extending his hand toward her. "Gentlemen, this is Lysandra, the servant I mentioned. She has a remarkable mind for detail and will be assisting with documentation of our meeting today."

Lysandra crossed the floor with measured steps, aware of every eye on her, particularly Ravenna's. The lady of the house stood halfway up the grand staircase that curved along the western wall, ostensibly supervising the arrangement of flowers by a nervous maid, but Lysandra felt her calculating gaze follow every movement.

"My lord," Lysandra said with a perfect curtsy as she reached Theron. "How may I be of service?"

"Take notes of our discussions regarding the Nevaros trade route," Theron instructed, his fingers lingering on her arm as he handed her a leather portfolio. "Every detail matters."

"Of course, my lord." She accepted the portfolio, allowing her fingers to brush against his deliberately. The effect was immediate, his pupils dilated, and his breathing quickened slightly. Her power had indeed grown stronger; now just a touch was enough to intensify his fixation.

As the men moved to the long table positioned beneath the largest window, Lysandra took her place at a smaller desk nearby, arranging parchment and inkwell while covertly studying each man. If she was to navigate this new world of power, she needed to understand how different men might respond to her gift. Velmira had said intent mattered, what better opportunity to experiment than a room full of influential merchants?

Lord Cassian was the first to approach her desk, ostensibly to request fresh parchment, but his eyes lingered on her face a moment too long.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced," he said, his voice carrying the refined accent of the capital's elite universities. "You must be new to Theron's household staff."

"Not new, my lord," Lysandra replied, "merely reassigned." She handed him the parchment, allowing her hand to rest against his for a heartbeat longer than necessary, focusing her intent on curiosity, not desire, not manipulation, just interest in how he might respond. "I hope the documents meet your requirements."

Something flickered in Cassian's eyes, not the immediate obsession she'd seen in Theron, but a definite interest, a sudden awareness of her presence that hadn't been there before. He blinked, as if trying to clear his thoughts.

"Yes, quite suitable," he murmured, then hesitated. "Perhaps you might assist me with organizing my personal notes later? I find myself... in need of someone with your attention to detail."

From across the room, Theron's head snapped toward them, his expression darkening. The jealousy was surprising, and informative. Lysandra filed the observation away for future reference.

"I serve at my master's discretion, my lord," she answered carefully, then lowered her voice. "Though I'm certain arrangements could be made, with proper... incentives."

Cassian's breath caught, and he nodded before retreating to the table, throwing glances in her direction as the meeting commenced. Different indeed from Theron's reaction, more measured, more intellectual, but still influenced. She had much to learn about the nuances of her power.

The meeting progressed with discussions of tariffs and shipping routes, expansion into Lyramar's exotic markets, and strategies to manage increasing competition from Solarian merchants. Lysandra recorded everything with precision, but her mind worked on a deeper level, plotting moves in a game far more complex than trade agreements.

When the Voss brothers approached to review some figures, she decided on another experiment. To the one in blue, Gareth, she believed, she offered a warm smile and a brief touch to the wrist when pointing out a calculation, infusing the contact with an intent of trust and reliability. To his twin in burgundy, Aldric, she maintained professional distance, keeping her manner coolly efficient.

The results manifested within minutes. Gareth began deferring to her judgment on interpretations of the numbers, while Aldric grew increasingly irritated by his brother's attention toward "a mere servant." The contrast was fascinating, same blood, different responses. But neither showed the intense fixation that characterized Theron's reaction.

"The spice routes through the southern isles remain problematic," Baron Eldric announced, spreading a map across the table. "The local chieftains have increased their demands again."

"Perhaps a show of force is needed," one of the merchants suggested.

"Or marriage alliances," another countered. "It's worked before."

Lysandra kept her eyes on her notes, but her mind Wandered. Here were men accustomed to wielding power through wealth and connections, casually discussing the fates of entire regions. Yet she now possessed the ability to influence them with a touch, a glance, a carefully chosen word. The responsibility of that power sent a shiver through her, not of fear, but of possibility.

From her vantage point on the stairs, Ravenna watched the subtle dynamics unfolding. Lysandra felt the woman's scrutiny like a physical touch. When she glanced up, their eyes met briefly, and Ravenna's lips curved in the faintest of smiles, knowing, challenging, almost amused. Then she turned and ascended the stairs, disappearing into the upper reaches of the house.

The interaction left Lysandra unsettled. Did Ravenna understand exactly what was happening? Was she allowing it to continue for some reason of her own? The questions multiplied, and with them, a gnawing sense of urgency. She needed to master this power quickly, before Ravenna decided to act against her.

As the meeting drew to a close, Theron approached her desk, standing too close, his voice pitched low. "You've impressed my colleagues, Lysandra. Particularly Cassian." His tone carried a strange mix of pride and jealousy. "He's requested your assistance with organizing his personal records."

"And what did you tell him, my lord?" Lysandra asked, keeping her expression carefully neutral while her heart quickened. This was an unexpected opportunity, Lord Cassian was well-connected in the capital, with ties to the palace itself.

"I told him I'd consider it." Theron's fingers brushed the back of her hand, and she felt his growing obsession like a tangible force between them. "But you belong here, in my household."

Lysandra looked up at him through her lashes, a technique she'd learned long ago. "I serve where you command, my lord. But perhaps Lord Cassian's household might offer... advantages for your business interests?"

A flash of calculation crossed Theron's face, battling with his possessiveness. "What advantages?"

"He mentioned his connections to the royal household," she said carefully. "Information from such quarters could be valuable to a man of your ambition."

The struggle in Theron's eyes was almost painful to watch, the logical merchant warring with the obsessed man. Finally, he nodded slowly. "A temporary arrangement might be beneficial. I'll discuss terms with him."

As he walked away, Lysandra allowed herself a small moment of triumph. The first piece had moved on the board. If she could enter Cassian's household, she'd be one step closer to the palace, to real power and protection.

As the merchants departed, Lysandra gathered her notes and prepared to return to her quarters. She needed to tell Saren about these developments, together, they could plan their next moves. But as she reached the door, a tall figure blocked her path. It was Nikolai, captain of Theron's household guard, a stern man with a reputation for absolute loyalty.

"The lady wishes to see you," he said, his expression unreadable. "Immediately."

Lysandra's heart sank. Had Ravenna decided to confront her directly? Was this summons the beginning of her downfall? She nodded, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead. "Lead the way, Captain."

As she followed him up the grand staircase toward Ravenna's private chambers, Lysandra surreptitiously brushed her hand against his arm, infusing the touch with an intent of friendly compliance. His only reaction was a slight frown, his pace never faltering.

The lack of response landed like a punch to Lysandra's heart. She remembered Velmira's words about men born during the Eclipse of the Sister Star, those who carried immunity to her power. Could Nikolai be one of them?

Before she could process this discovery, they reached Ravenna's door. The captain knocked once, then stepped aside. "Enter," came Ravenna's melodious voice from within.

Lysandra crossed the threshold into the unknown, her mind reeling. The game had become more dangerous, the stakes higher. Between Ravenna's knowledge, Theron's obsession, Cassian's opportunity, and now the discovery of an immune man in the household.