An inexplicable urge to defuse her unease prompts me to interject, “Regardless of recent world events, I find it hard tobelieve the UN would give Kurt a blessing for such blatant aggression.”
“Two years ago, Kurt presented a document to the UN that he claims to have retrieved from the Vatican archives,” Von Dietz begins. “It contains a sunset clause stating that Mount Evor’s sovereignty ends exactly one thousand years after the signing of the addendum.”
“And someone believed him?” Eva asks, eyes wide.
“Unfortunately,” Von Dietz replies. “A corrupted commission of Swiss, French, and Italian forensic archaeologists authenticated his forgery.”
I do some mental math. “But our supposed expiration date has come and gone, and we’re still here.”
“We protested, obviously,” Von Dietz says. “The royals, our top diplomats, our allies among other European monarchies. The UN gave us until January 1 of next year to open the Impenetrable Vault and produce the original addendum.”
“And if it matches Kurt’s,” I ask, “or there’s nothing inside?”
Von Dietz pauses. “Then the principality ends.”
Silence.
The door swings open. A man in black steps in and whispers something into Von Dietz’s ear. He blinks and rises.
“Stay here,” he says and disappears down the corridor.
I glance across the table. “What do you make of this?”
Eva’s eyes stay on the door. “It’s terrifying. Like being locked in a room with a ticking bomb.”
“That’s an apt metaphor,” I admit. “Perhaps a touch overdramatic but fitting.”
She looks surprised at my compliment.
The door bursts open, and Von Dietz rushes back in, eyes bright and jaw set.
“We have a visual,” he declares. “The sniper was caught on CCTV trying to steal a car here in Pombrio. All police, special forces, royal guard, and MESS units have been mobilized.”
I straighten, ready to offer help, though I’m unsure how to assist.
“The roads are blocked,” Von Dietz adds. “Full lockdown. No movement in or out of the city until further notice.”
Eva peers at him. “What now?”
“Briefing’s over, Your Grace,” he replies. “My PA is booking rooms at the Royal Pombrio for you and Monsieur Castellane as we speak.”
She frowns. “I can’t return to Rohinn? But my daughter?—”
“I’m sure she’s not alone at Fort Vauclairt, and you can call to reassure her in a moment,” he interrupts. “If we’re lucky, you’ll be able to leave tonight. But if the sniper’s not caught by nightfall, you’ll have to stay in Pombrio until the lockdown is lifted.”
He hands us each a thick folder. “The dossiers as promised.”
Eva and I thank him.
“Happy reading,” he says, escorting us to the exit. “I’m afraid you’re in this now whether you like it or not.”
6
ALEX
The air outside the basement at MESS feels colder than it did inside. It isn’t exactly chilly; just crisp enough to bite, which I welcome wholeheartedly. It clears my head.
“I’m going to walk to the hotel,” Eva says. “I need air.”
