Page 31 of Wolf Queen Ruin
I maintained my pleasant expression while my insides sank.“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“No?”He smiled, sharp and knowing.“The Cross House has certain traditions.Certain expectations for their bloodline.A permanent alliance with a former shifter would be unprecedented.”
“Maybe unprecedented is exactly what the situation calls for,” I said.“Times change.”
Marcel chuckled.“Indeed they do, but I wonder if Elliot knows exactly what his protégé is hunting here tonight.”
I didn’t care for the implication, but I kept my expression blank.“We’re admiring the artifacts, like everyone else.”
“Of course.”His eyes gleamed with amusement.“Just as I am.Though certain items might be of particular interest to those with specific medical concerns.”
And there it was.He knew.He definitely knew about the Shadow Fang and that the clue to finding it was here.There was no question if he was after it himself or not.You’d have to be a foolish tomb raider not to want to find such a valuable item, and foolish tomb raiders were dead tomb raiders.
Had he really hired somebody to follow me so I’d lead him right to the Shadow Fang?
“What exactly is your interest here, Marcel?”I asked.“Beyond making cryptic comments and interrupting my evening with my fiancé?”
He laughed, seemingly delighted by my bluntness.“I like you, Luna Rookwood.So refreshingly direct compared to the double-speak most of us engage in.”His expression sobered.“My interest is professional.Certain clients are very eager to acquire healing artifacts of significant power.The competition for such items can be intense.”
“I wouldn’t know,” I said.“I don’t know of any healing artifacts.”
“Ah, but if you heard of an especially rare artifact,” he countered, “your extraction skills are quite legendary.”
“You trying to hire me?”
“Not at all,” Marcel said with a predatory smile.“I’m simply acknowledging that we might have more in common than you realize.Perhaps we could even be cooperative rather than competitive.”
Yeah, no.Like Damien, I didn’t trust Marcel at all.Never did.
A hushed murmur spread through the gallery.Heads turned toward the main entrance, where Selene had appeared.She glided forward, the stars in her gown twinkling as she moved to the center of the space, where a platform rose from the floor to meet her.
“Distinguished guests,” she began, her voice carrying effortlessly, “I’m pleased to present the centerpiece of tonight’s exhibition.A rare artifact of extraordinary historical and magical significance.”
With a graceful gesture, she summoned a display case that descended from the ceiling.Inside, resting on what appeared to be a cushion of pure light, was a carved wooden box inlaid with silver.
The exact item from the photo Damien had shown me.The container for the skin map.I was sure of it.
How were we going to get close enough to examine it?The security around the central platform was even more intense than at the gallery entrance.Plus, there were too many damn supernaturals around.
“This cartographic marvel,” Selene continued, “dates from the First Convergence period, thousands of years ago, a time when the boundaries between supernatural races were still being defined.Created by an ancient shifter queen, it represents one of the earliest examples of cross-species magical collaboration.”
I sought out Damien across the gallery.He had positioned himself closer to the central platform, Vivienne glued to his side.Our gazes met briefly.A range of emotions stormed in those blue eyes of his, none of them good.
My pulse quickened.
“The skin map within,” Selene explained, gesturing to the closed box, “was crafted from materials considered mythical even by our standards.Its magic remains active after millennia, a testament to its creator’s extraordinary power.”
Marcel leaned closer to me, his voice a whisper.“Worth killing for, wouldn’t you say?”
“If you mean me killing you for talking while I’m listening, then sure,” I muttered.
But really, though, what an odd thing to say.
“As is tradition,” Selene announced, “qualified scholars and collectors may request a private viewing of selected artifacts following the exhibition.Simply register your interest with my assistants.”
Perfect.A legitimate way to get closer to the map without arousing suspicion.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I murmured to Marcel, “I should find my fiancé.He’ll want to register us immediately.”
