The smell of jasmine and wood smoke evoked memories of coming here as a child—for grand weddings, solemn pilgrimages, and joyful celebrations of the gods’ days. Beautiful singing had filled the enormous, marbled hall. Teachers from around the world had traveled here to speak and share their knowledge.
But now only a few Teachers in their long, hooded robes moved quietly among the colorful pillars and sparkling statues of the gods, tending the flower offerings and polishing the Temple.
Father no longer allowed any celebrations here. After he’d executed the High Teacher for aiding fugitives during thePravaran rebellion and replaced her with an old, bitter man—Nefteus, the Temple was used for little else than its bells and its library.
And apparently hiding stolen treasure.
Aiden motioned me toward a side door, which led to a small, plain corridor lined with other doors. He opened the third one and gestured me down a steep flight of stairs.
The scent of parchment, ink, and leather instantly made me think of Everett. My eyes widened at the rows and rows of books in the underground library. They seemed endless.
Everett would probably weep with joy if he could stand here once more. Like me, he hadn’t been here since he was a child.
A handful of desks with stools stood empty in front of the shelves. Piles of half-inked scrolls and books were stacked neatly at each one.
“Holy Four,” I breathed. “Thisis where you hide things?”
Aiden smiled a little, shaking his head. “Further still.”
I frowned. I’d never heard of a lower level to the library.
We walked past shelf after shelf of books until Aiden made a sharp turn down a row that looked like any other. We came to the end, and he faced me with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Nefteus has no idea this doorway exists. The old High Teacher claimed she had it sealed off and burned any evidence of its existence. You must swear to the Four never to reveal what you are about to see.”
I mimicked his stance. “Must I?”
“Yes, I had to as well.”
“Aren’t you breaking that vow by telling me?”
“I had to get special permission.” He quirked an eyebrow. “Well? Do you swear?”
“I swear to the Four I will not reveal what I’m about to see,” I echoed him.Unless keeping it secret will cost a life.
Holding my gaze, he stepped on a stone floor tile, and something unlocked in the floor. He shoved the last shelf by the wall, and it swiveled easily, revealing a very narrow tunnel.
I grimaced, peering into it. “For someone who hates being underground, you sure spend a lot of time in it.”
“I suppose that’s what happens when someone lives most of their life in hiding,” he said dryly.
I lowered myself into the passage, using the short wooden ladder someone had propped up at the entrance. Unlike the tunnel fromThe Silk Dancer, the walls of this one were stone. Ages old from the wear of them.
Aiden clambered down behind me, flipping a latch that swung the bookshelf back over the entrance.
He nudged me forward. “It’s not far.”
I could already see a faint light ahead. Quiet voices echoed toward us. I hurried down the passage and came out in a wide room. The floor was smooth stone, but the ceiling was like a cave—craggy and dark.
Several targets were set up at the far end of the room with a collection of weapons—bows and arrows, spears, and even two swords—near me. Perhaps the Teachers used to train here, back when they were allowed to teach the skill of combat.
A group of people hovered around a few tables against another wall.
One of them broke off and ran toward me. Ruru. His beaming face made me smile as he folded me in a hug. He smelled like the sticky bread he was so fond of.
“Kiera! I’m so glad you’re here! We were just catching up on the heist and—oh! Aiden, guess who showed up?”
But Aiden’s eyes were already fixed on one of the strangers in the room. A woman.
