Page 55 of The Umbra King

She looked around the office with newfound determination. Running to the bookshelves, she pulled books to look behind them. When she pulled out a book on a smaller shelf, a button sat against the back of the wood.

She couldn’t move. Whatever this button went to could lead her to her sister’s soul, and as much as she wanted to find the jar to free Cora, the bright pink trapped within the glass would be another reminder that her sister was gone.

She jabbed the button with her finger and yelped as the bookcase slid sideways to reveal a long hallway. Her tentative steps carried her through the door, and when she found another button on the wall, she pushed it and watched the bookshelf slide back in place.

She jogged through the corridor, looking for another door, and when she arrived at a set of stairs, she groaned.

Once she reached the top, she was pouring sweat, and when she pushed open the door, she stepped into the sky room. Her jaw dropped, and she spun around to look at the door. It was another bookshelf.

Pulling out books, she looked for the button to close the door, and when she found it, she watched it close. “I’ll be damned,” she whispered. Her head tilted back to look at the illusion of a setting sun above her.

“Why would this room lead to his office?” she mused. It must be the queen’s chambers, she realized, frowning. “Why wouldn’t his queen share his room?”

Sighing, she crossed the room and slipped through the main door. At least tonight wasn’t a complete bust. She knew, without a doubt, Caius killed her sister.

19

Caius pulledout his keys to unlock his office after hisdatewith Nina. The thought made his skin crawl.

His office was already unlocked, and his hackles rose. Throwing open the door, he stepped inside to survey the room. No one was there, and nothing was out of place. In his haste, he might have forgotten to lock it on his way out.

He ran a hand through his hair and sat in his reading chair as he replayed the night at the pond. It had only been a week, but the image of Aurora as she lost control consumed him, and it was all he thought about.

He was adjusting his pants when his door opened, and Samyaza stomped in. TheAngelwas large and stomped everywhere, and sometimes Caius thought he felt the entire realm shake.

Sam eyed the king. “You look annoyed.”

Caius sat at his desk and huffed out a breath. “I am annoyed. You’re back from Erdikoa sooner than expected.”

TheAngelnodded and took a seat. “I was lucky. Rory’s friends were at her place of employment. It took little effort to get information.”

“Rory?” Caius asked. “Who is Rory?”

Sam’s mouth pulled into a wide smile. “It is what Aurora goes by. It is much more fitting, is it not?”

“And what did these friends tell you aboutRory?”Caius rolled the name around on his tongue, savoring the taste.

Sam sat forward, leaning his elbows on his knees. “They were already looking into her victims.”

“Why would anyone in Erdikoa be looking into the murders?” Caius mused. The cases were solved.

When Sam raised his head, satisfaction blanketed his face. “Because, according to them, she was a good person.”

Caius gave a humorless laugh. “She murdered thirteen people and sewed their hands to their arms.”

Sam nodded. “So far, five people have come forward claiming Rory saved them from one of her victims, and her last victim was an undocumentedMerrowwith a room full of empty jars in his apartment. They think Rory released the trapped souls.”

Caius sat back. “Come again?”

“You heard what I said,” theAngelsaid smugly. “HerAatxefriend will keep looking into the other murders, and I suspect he will find more of the same.”

“Was theAatxeher lover?” Caius asked tightly. “He could have been trying to free her.” The thought made him want to destroy his office again.

Sam smirked, and Caius considered strangling him. “They did not say, but you and I both know Adila’s word is final.” He rubbed a large hand down his face. “I think they need to know she was not a monster, for their own sakes.”

Caius nodded, mulling over the new information. If she was saving people, why the disturbing display? He couldn’t make sense of it.

“And her mother?” Caius asked.

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