Page 30 of Violet Legacy

Aadya opened her palm. It sparkled like fireworks as an image appeared. Rose-gold armor appeared as the figure of a woman materialized. The statue of Vandana, made of flesh and blood. Dark red hair, the color of dried arterial blood, blew in the wind. Black streaks marred her darkly tanned skin.

Dante stood transfixed. The almost-forgotten whispers had been true.

Flame-colored eyes looked through him, burning with the intensity of a flame.

Rieka’s eyes.

Chapter 19

DanteDelacroixwasgoingto be the death of Rieka.

The Atlantean had burrowed beneath her skin, and every time she closed her eyes, she felt his emerald gaze on her as if he was marking her.

The rosy fingers of dawn lightened the sky, sending the world into a Technicolor rainbow. Rieka looked back at the journal and touched the soft leather. Unable to sleep, she had spent the last two hours going through it, trying to find a clue she may have missed about the tomb. But so far, all she knew was that the tomb wasn’t in Turkey.

She flung herself back on the four-poster bed. The white canopy glittered in the morning light; it belonged in a fairy tale. Better suited to Cleopatra than a simple guest room. Rieka stifled a laugh. The Atlanteans did nothing in half-measures. But even ostentatious decorations suited for a palace couldn’t distract her from the silence that gnawed at her.

Or the uneasiness that surrounded her when she was alone.

She had never been afraid to be on her own, had relished the solitude, but now, she wasn’t so sure. Something was off. It wasn’t anything she could pinpoint. It was the same feeling she’d had at the archaeological site. No matter how foolish it sounded, there had been something down there with her. Something that hadn’t belonged. It was linked to the explosion. She just knew it.

Rieka flicked through the journal again. The page was thicker than she expected. Holding it up to the light, she noticed for the first time that two pages were stuck together. Somehow, she had missed it. Gently, she tried to pry the pages apart, but the distinct sound of paper ripping echoed loudly.

“Damn it.”

Rieka’s breath hitched. Something slipped out and landed on her lap. A photo of her mom and her. She must have been about nine years old when it was taken.

Lilian stared at the photographer. Her flowing black hair danced in the wind, a half-smile spread across her face. Lilian’s skin was a shade darker than Rieka’s, and it made her pale blue eyes appear white. In the background, Rieka made out the columns of the Basilica Cistern. They had been in Istanbul, Turkey.

A hint of sadness shone through Lilian’s gaze, a weariness that Rieka as a child—or even as an adult—never truly understood. She hadn’t thought about the trip in two decades, but that didn’t stop the memory from slamming into her as if it had only happened the day before.

“Come on, Rieka. I want to show you a secret.”

Rieka didn’t need any extra prodding. She followed her mother as they approached the locked door to the Basilica, ignoring the do-not-trespass sign.

“Are we allowed to be here?” Rieka whispered, hiding in the shadows. There were no signs of guards, but her heart raced anyway.

“No one will ever know.” Lilian winked. “If they didn’t want us in here, they wouldn’t have made it as easy to get in.”

Rieka nodded. The argument sounded fine to her.

“Come on.” Lilian ushered both of them in before shutting the door behind them.

Darkness surrounded Rieka, and she stifled a cry. She could not see in the dark, not the way Lilian could. Before she took another step, Lilian grabbed her hand. “Mama.”

“The darkness can’t hurt you, little one. But if you are ever worried, search for the brightest star. Even in the darkest moments, it will always shine on you.” Lilian moved. “Wait here.”

Rieka obeyed and was awarded with flickering lights. It was still dim, more atmospheric than practical. Lilian tugged at Rieka’s hand, and she followed her down the stairs.

Rieka stood, watching the red light illuminate the columns until it looked like they were in another world. Lilian pushed Rieka forward a couple of steps, but pulled her back as they reached the edge of the pathway.

She wasn’t looking in a mirror. It took her a second to realize it was water. So still, it looked like glass.

“We are just going to get a little wet.”

Lilian dropped her into the cistern. The cold water rushed up to her waist, lapping at her. She gasped at the iciness as it swallowed her body whole. She kicked out, her lungs screaming in protest before she was dragged up.

Lilian slid into the water, taking her hand. “A long time ago, before the Romans built the Basilica over the ruins, this was an ancient Temple.”

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