Page 56 of A City of Hearts and Feathers

On the furthest wall was a colossal marble statue of a woman sitting on a throne. She had a thick body of a mature mother, with large breasts and hips. In her lap was an overflowing cornucopia of flowers, fruit, and grains. At her feet sat a lion and sphinx, as well as offerings of fruit, flowers, grains, and wine.

A woman stood in front of the statue, and the only word that sprang to Zoe's mind was voluptuous. It had to be Lydia. She was statuesque, heavily curved, with her long dark hair threaded with a crown of golden flowers.

"Zoe Kartal, it is an honor to finally meet you," Lydia said and stepped towards them. She could have been aged between thirty and fifty. Her face had a soft, ageless appearance that didn't match her dark eyes. "Arslan! I didn't expect to see you tonight. My sources claimed that only your favorite dog was watching Zoe."

Arslan stepped forward and kissed Lydia's hand. "High Priestess, it has been so long since I had the honor of standing in your presence. I didn't want to miss the opportunity."

Lydia chuckled softly. "You old charmer." The priestess didn't bother to say hello to Kahil which irked Zoe to no end. He didn't need her defending him. Kahil had made it clear enough that he didn't give two shits about what Lydia and her followers thought of him.

"Step forward, girl, and let me have a look at you," Lydia said and beckoned to her.

Zoe forced herself to smile and walked up to her. "Hello."

"You are quite pretty, aren't you?" Lydia said, studying Zoe's face intently.

"Ah, thanks? I don't see why that matters."

"Take the compliment, child. For some reason I imagined you would take more after Oman with his nose or brows. You look like your mother. Definitely got her hair and thick build," Lydia said, laughing prettily again.

Zoe started to realize exactly what Azize had meant by Lydia being the worst. She was the kind of person who was always soniceto everyone and was ready to give people advice on how they could better themselves. Whether they wanted it or not. It wasn't said maliciously. Never that. Her criticism would be for Zoe's own good.

"Is there a reason you wanted to see me?" Zoe asked, moving away from her and back to Kahil.

Lydia smiled, and it was warm as sunshine. "I wanted to ask you about the Sais Codex of course. The whole of Istanbul is still in such a flutter over it. I don't want there to be any conflict over a trinket like that. I would pay you whatever you wished for it."

"It's not about money," Zoe said, crossing her arms. She didn't want this woman looking at her anymore. She creeped her out on a deeply visceral level. It was like she looked inside someone and started to calculate all the ways to make thembetter. Or her version of it anyway. "What would you do with it if you had it?"

"Why, keep it out of the hands of the evil ones of course! Those that would use the magic in it to create armies."

"And you wouldn't?"

Lydia shook her head. "I wouldnever. This country had so much bloodshed and violence over the centuries. If I had the codex, I would only use it to do good, like heal people who deserve it. To make them better people in every way."

People who deserve it. Zoe forced her jaw to unlock. "And you would be the one to make that decision, would you?"

"Of course. I'm the leader of the light, Zoe. Who would be better qualified than me?" Lydia said, reaching for her again. Kahil was suddenly beside Zoe, knocking Lydia's hand away.

"No touching what doesn't belong to you," he said sternly.

"Get out of my way, dog. This conversation doesn't concern you," Lydia replied, her tone turning imperious.

Arslan cleared his throat. "Actually, Lydia, I apologize, but Kahil is right. It is stipulated in the contract that no one is allowed to physically or magically touch our client. Rules are rules, you understand."

The venom in Lydia's eyes vanished instantly. "Of course, Arslan. I didn't realize."

Zoe had read her contract, and there was no such rule. Arslan was being more diplomatic than Kahil, but neither wanted this woman anywhere near her. She was going to hug the crap out of both of them when they got out of there.

"I'm sorry, Lydia, but the codex will be sold at an auction, as per my father's wishes. I look forward to seeing you there," Zoe said, wanting very much to leave the creepy, dark caves.

Lydia raised a perfect brow. "You're dismissing me, child? Bold of you. We are not done yet."

"What else could you possibly want from me?" Zoe asked.

"The sphinx wants to see you."

Zoe frowned. "Anactualsphinx?"

"Of course. Your family are soothsayers, are they not? All of the oracles in Istanbul must present themselves to the sphinx."

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