Then the plain wooden box with the broken latch labeled asLurra: Do Not Open.Iyana shuddered, remembering how, not that long ago, she had likened the angle of the broken lock to that of a fractured neck.Images of Talon sprawled in Zane’s lap, his own neck at an unnatural angle, flashed through her mind before she could shove them back down.It did not escape her notice that none of the other artifacts carried a warning.Even the most sinister of them all—Khollo’s Downfall—did not caution anyone away.
The deep black orb hung suspended within the case, absorbing all the surrounding light and casting its corner into dark shadows.Evil emanated from the apple-sized relic.
So, of course, Kaz stopped by it and said, “This one.”
Iyana looked at her incredulously.“Really?Thisone?Out of all the ‘vibes’ you could have picked?”
“Yup!”Kaz chirped.
Iyana could only roll her eyes.“Well, before we go about breaking it free from that case, how about we research it more?”
The shifter pouted.“That’s no fun.I want to see what it does.”
“Kaz…”
“What?”Iyana stared her down, and she finally let out a long-suffering sigh.“Okay, fine, we’ll doresearch.”
Hourslater,theyallsat around the same table with their noses buried in books.Well, everyone except Kaz, who again slept on the rug, snoring lightly.After Iyana and the shifter had returned, they delivered the news that they wanted to learn more about Khollo’s Downfall.And, on an impulse, Iyana had added the Lurra to that list as well.
They had all eaten lunch without conversation, the only sounds around them those of a sleeping leopard, flipping pages, and the rustling of owl wings.Zane glanced up from his book, staring at the wall opposite him, but not seeing.He was obviously deep in thought, and the three of them stopped their own reading to see what he would do.Without a word, the emperor stood and strode away from the table, his gait determined.Iyana peered at Talon, who simply shrugged his shoulders and returned to his book.Zane would return in time, hopefully with some worthwhile answers.
Although Iyana was enjoying the relative quiet of the library, it was almosttooquiet.Her thoughts had more freedom to roam within the silence, and she found herself dwelling on things she desperately wished to forget.
Uther and his shadows.
A man bleeding out from a wound she had inflicted.
Talon, dead, in Zane’s lap.
Altair standing over her, an expression of disgust on his face.His words ricocheted through her mind, causing pain and chipping away at her resolve whenever they landed.
You were a decent fuck.But now that I possess all your magic, I’ve no further need of you.
I had ample opportunity to steal you back.I needed you angry.I needed you to want revenge.
You really thought I would fall in love with a human?That I would offer youimmortalityto spend forever with me?I’d rather die than stoop so low.
I am a god.What need does a god have of a human?
“Hey.”A warm touch started on her shoulder then ran down her arm, raising goosebumps.Iyana looked over to see Emmeric gazing at her, concern and pity shining in his eyes and through their bond.Godsdamn this connection between them, allowing them to know what the other is feeling.She wished he would let her drown in peace.
But that wasn’t what she actually wanted at all.
“Do you want to take a walk?”Emmeric asked softly so that the others wouldn’t overhear.Iyana shook her head and returned to her book, the words appearing as simple black lines striking out the pages.
Almost twenty minutes after he’d left, Zane reappeared with a giant book cradled in his arms.The leather-bound edges were well worn, and the pages boasted notes sticking out at all angles.There was no title on the cover.He dropped it to the table with a loud thump, making Iyana jump.
“What do you have there, Your Majesty?”Kaz asked, still sitting on the rug with her knees tucked to her chest.
Zane’s emerald gaze cut her a glare before he opened the book and rifled through the pages.“I think you’ll be happy to know,Your Highness, that I found a ledger for the library.”
“Oh, has the pretty prince come out to play at last?”Kaz purred.“Come back to my room if you’re feeling frisky.”
It was Talon’s turn to glare at the shifter.She rolled her eyes.
“Relax, red, I’m kidding.”A maniacal grin lit up her face.“Mostly.”
Emmeric cleared his throat and gave her a pointed look, telling her toshut up.Shockingly, Kaz actually listened and prowled to join them at the table.
