Page 48 of The Duplicity of Thieves

“Cool,” I say nonchalantly.

He looks bewildered. “Cool?”

“Yeah. That’s cool. It’s a shiny rock box. What am I supposed to say?” I chatter nervously.

He shakes his head slightly, eyes wide with confusion. “You are insane.”

“Excuse me? I’m not the one who touched some ancient rock in a place that is pretty clear that you shouldn’t touch ancient rocks.” I flip my hair.

“I didn’t touch it,” he argues.

“The sentiment is the same.” I cross my arms and pop out my hip.

“You touch it then,” he dares me.

I get an uneasy feeling. The scars on my body have that phantom burn again. He’s watching me, taunting me, and I can’t give up a challenge. Plus, I’m curious and that’s always a dangerous thing to be. I reach over, pull off the glass cover, and right as my hand is reaching in, someone shouts. I step back quickly and the shimmering gold that had begun to surface fades immediately.

“What are you doing? Stop!” It’s the guide from the tour. Shit.

Before the guide can seize me, Aedon takes the glass from my hands and carefully places it back over the rock box. Then he takes the lapel of his button up shirt and lifts it, flashing a gold pin. The crest of the fucking palace: Cerberus the three headed dog. Shit.

The guide's eyes bulge and he straightens. “I’m so sorry, sir.”

I feel like I’ve been struck by madness. Things click into place. The Alibi, which is associated with non-Rems. David’s boyfriend, a liaison of the king. His comment that he’s well connected. I don’t know who he is in Hades’ organization, but I want to hate him that much more.

Hades is a natural enemy of my people. He stole Remnant land and named himself king. He initiated The Burning of the witches. The Underworld was ours before it was his.

“When they said you would be visiting, I thought you would be taking a private tour. I’m so sorry,” the guide continues.

“Really, consider it forgiven,” Aedon soothes him. “We should be on our way anyways, right, love? Things to do. Places to see. You’ve got a fine exhibit.” Aedon grins and whisks me away before the guide can say anything else.

The group is still fussing over some femur with carvings or something when we rush past. Aedon doesn’t lose hold of me the entire way back to the entrance. He navigates the maze of hallways with ease. Once we’re on the front steps, I dig my heels into the ground and tear my hand away.

“Are you trying to get me thrown into a dungeon or something?” I growl.

“Is that what you think happens to people who get into trouble?”

“I don’t know. People have been killed for less.”

“I thought it was just a ‘shiny rock box’?” he points out.

I redirect the conversation. “When were you going to tell me that you work for Hades?”

“Do you like tea?” he interrupts.

“Why were you here?” I change the subject back.

“Coffee, then?”

We’re at a standoff. He knows he has the upper hand. I’m sure he could deflect for days, and I have no more cards left to play. It’s midmorning and I’m tired after discovering the contents of the duffel last night. I couldn’t sleep. I stared at the book for hours instead.

“Fine.” If I can corner him, then maybe I can trick him into answering my questions.

He leads us to some little coffee shop that looks sleek and modern, and sits me at a table in the corner before going to order. I guess he learned his lesson about ordering last time. I’m honestly grateful because I don’t know the first damned thing about coffee. My sister always hands it to me, or I have to drink it bitter and black.

It’s not long before he returns with two papyrus cups. Little wisps of steam emit from the small hole on the lip. I catch a hint of hazelnut, and it smells delicious.

“If you had wanted to meet me again you didn’t need to stalk me to the museum, little devil. I’m not that hard to find.”

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