Page 64 of Dig Your Grave

I stared, goosebumps on my arms.“You mean the brand of the Skulls is about more than tradition?They want to alter or enhance certain bloodlines?”

Dr.Lansing hesitated, clearly conflicted about revealing secrets.“Listen, I was hired for legitimate research—CRISPR gene therapy to fight rare genetic diseases.But the Dean demanded we shift focus to ‘heritage-based augmentation.’She claimed it would secure Edenvane’s future.I…didn’t ask many questions at first, but now I regret it.”

A swirl of dread.My mother’s strange mention of me having “Edenvane eyes,” the genealogical record that hinted I carried Edenvane blood.Could they plan to use me for these tests?

I forced a calm tone.“Why tell me?”

She glanced toward the door, voice trembling.“Because Sophie’s meltdown means someone changed the formula.It might be another faction within the Skulls.Or an outside group.If this escalates, they’ll tear each other apart and blame me, or you, or anyone vulnerable.”

My mind reeled.Toccara’s murder might have been a power move or cover-up.Now a sabotage within the Skulls themselves?

Dr.Lansing grabbed my wrist lightly.“Take care.You’re close to Captain Edenvane.His father is a major investor in this research.Don’t trust anyone.”Her eyes flicked over my shoulder, spotting a faint silhouette: Anubis lurking outside.She swallowed.“Not even him, if it comes to that.”

Anger flared.“Anubis has risked everything for me.He’s not the threat.”

She sighed, releasing me.“I hope you’re right.But these people…they’ll discard any bond to protect their power.If you have evidence of wrongdoing, gather it quickly before they bury you with the secrets.”

Footsteps crunched outside.Dr.Lansing stiffened.“I have to go.Good luck.”

She darted out a side door, leaving me breathless, mind spinning.Sabotage from within the Skulls.Possibly two factions jockeying for control.And the Dean’s twisted gene therapy might revolve around ensuring the ‘purity’ of the Edenvane line.Fear coiled in my belly.

Exiting the greenhouse, I found Anubis stepping into the path, worry etched on his face.“I saw someone run off.Are you okay?”

I nodded.“It was Dr.Lansing.She claims the formula was sabotaged.The meltdown might be an internal Skulls conflict.”My voice quivered with the weight of revelations.“They’re apparently aiming to ‘strengthen’ the Edenvane legacy through gene editing.She warned me not to trust anyone.”

Anubis listened, features tightening.“Including me?”

“Yes.”

“Do you believe her?”

“No,” I said firmly, placing a trembling hand on his chest.“I trust you.But her warning stands.The Skulls play for keeps.If they suspect we’re working against them, we’re dead.”

He drew me into a protective embrace, the night breeze ruffling our hair.My brand throbbed, reminding me of the forced vow that bound me to their twisted agenda.Yet Anubis was the one anchor keeping me from drowning.

Under the moonlight, our foreheads touched.“We have to keep going,” he whispered, voice raw.“We have enough leads.Toccara’s death, sabotage, gene therapy.If we can piece it all together—”

“—we can blow the Skulls open,” I finished, a surge of determination fueling my shaky limbs.

He held me, and for a heartbeat, I let myself sink into the warmth of his presence.

In that quiet moment, we shared a soft, desperate kiss, the hush of the moonlit garden holding them in fragile serenity.The darkness around us only sharpened our need for each other, a spark of hope in a world of secrets.As the wind carried the scent of greenhouse flowers, we clung to the possibility of forging our own destiny together, no matter what the Skulls demanded.

Eventually, the chill forced us to break apart.Our plan was unspoken but clear.We’d gather every scrap of evidence we could, about Toccara, about sabotage, about the Edenvane lineage project, and find a way to get it to Harry and Kate’s Undercurrent or the Howler.

We left the mansion through a side exit to avoid the main crowds, cutting across the lawn toward Anubis’ parked car.The night had grown quiet.The marquee lights at the mansion’s entrance faded behind us.My heart throbbed with the sense that we were being watched.

“Let’s just get to the caretaker’s cottage,” Anubis murmured.“We can regroup there.”

But as we approached the car, a shape emerged from behind a tall hedge.My muscles tensed, preparing to run or fight.Then the figure stepped forward, a tall man with a black coat, hair slicked back.I recognized him as one of the watchers from our initiation, the same one who’d escorted us to the crypt.

He regarded us with a solemn gaze.“Captain Edenvane.Nubia.”

Fear spiked, but Anubis spoke calmly.“It’s late.What do you want?”

The man pressed his lips into a thin line.“A friendly caution: The brand on your shoulders isn’t just a mark of belonging.It’s also a target.Some within the Skulls question your loyalty.They suspect you of double-crossing after the library sabotage fiasco didn’t yield full access.”

My stomach lurched.So, they knew we’d faked the library infiltration?

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