Page 47 of Violet Legacy

Dante pinned Kai with a glare. “I find it hard to believe that you have suddenly become interested in the contents of the vault, outside of the crown jewels.”

Kai looked flushed. Deep red marks crossed his features as he glared daggers at her. Even his perfect bone structure couldn’t hide the ugliness within him.

“Interesting that this—” Kai started with a flourish, ignoring the accusation. “Occurred while Dr. Sinha was down in the vault, alone.”

Rieka opened her mouth to respond. She was an archaeologist, not a thief or a vandal. Or a murderer. From experience, what she had to say would make no difference. Money talked. As did bloodlines. And she had neither.

Dante didn’t budge. “Rieka wasn’t alone.”

Kai shook his head as if he didn’t comprehend what Dante had said, huffing up with indignation. “Anhur will hear about it.”

“I look forward to it.”

This time, there was no mistaking the dismissive tone as Dante turned his attention back to her. She wanted to add a snarky comeback, but she was far more frazzled than she’d been ten minutes earlier. And her brain was still comprehending what was in front of her.

The statue was missing—the only clue she had to finding out who she was. Not to mention that someone had turned the vault into a scene from a R-rated horror movie.

Dante squeezed her hand in reassurance as he whispered, “Once you return to the upper levels, Talik will escort you to your room.”

For once, she would not argue.

DantewaiteduntilRiekahad left the room before turning his attention to Kai. “What are you doing in the vault?”

He surveyed the damage. Something had torn an able-bodied guard to shreds and feasted on the body. Pieces of matte-black uniform held together by chunks of flesh were scattered throughout the area. The attacker had been extremely large and vicious and hungry. The smell of decaying flesh was faint but unmistakable. It had to have been a serpopard. He filed away the information. He would need to discuss it further with Anhur.

His watch vibrated; Talik had gotten his message. Rieka would be safe.

“I have the same right to be here as you do,” Kai said. “The guard belongs to House Mestor.” He moved to stand closer to the edge of the moat, a sneer on his face. “What was on the pedestal?”

“A statue of Vandana.”

Kai swung around to look at him, his face molten. “You brought that hybrid into the sacred vault to do what?”

“Careful, Kai,” Dante warned. He took a step closer to the bridge. Blood continued to drip from the ceiling. The guard had been slaughtered like an animal. “You still haven’t explained why you were here. As far as I am aware, only I had been given permission to access the vault.”

Kai stumbled. Perhaps he had come to the vault for a discreet rendezvous. Or perhaps something more sinister. The guards behind them moved, spreading out. They were no longer alone.

“If it isn’t my two favorite cousins,” Khalida interrupted, staring at both of them. She still wore her long black dress from the ball, but her hair was different, messier. “I am thankful that both sides of my lineage have gifted me with so many relatives.”

Dante snorted. “One of us is.”

Khalida stared at him. Her yellow eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Lord Anhur has ordered this area be restricted until further notice.”

Kai opened his mouth.

“That means you, Kai,” Khalida said slowly before turning to Dante. “I assume you have no objections?”

“No.”

There was no reason he needed to stay. The statue was gone and standing around within the vault would not help him find it.

Someone else wanted the statue. And they were willing to kill for it.

Chapter 28

Lucien stared at the dying Australian sunset. The landscape was cast in a myriad of colors until the sky bled into the red sand. The silence was unnerving—not another living creature dared to disturb him. Not even the snakes that often sought him out. Out here, he could pretend to be the last living being left on the land. It was why he had made the desert his home.

But the beauty of the sunset wasn’t what held his undivided attention. Electricity ran through him.

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