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“The Jimourt will showcase only a handful of these pieces. Most will come from the upstairs collection. The scholars rotate the selected pieces, and this year, there are a substantial number of objects that have previously not been exhibited.” Idris’s voice interrupted the comfortable silence.

Rieka nodded as she slowly trailed behind Idris. Four days would never be enough time. “How do you choose what artifacts to showcase?”

Idris laughed. The sound was contagious. Idris evoked an utterly distinct feeling from what Dante did. She had known Idris for mere minutes, but it felt like they had been friends for decades.

“They have given me the privilege of making the final selection and deciding on the theme,” answered Idris. A tinge of sadness edged his words. He looked at Dante. “The role is only passed to the next generation when the curator can no longer conduct their duties.”

Death. And she thought human academia was harsh.

Idris’s eyes sparkled. “But for now, the council has granted you access. Thanks to Dante.”

She didn’t need to be told twice. “How long do I have today?”

“However long you want.” Dante carefully watched her. His expression gave nothing away.

Her heart raced.

The lights started to flicker as she moved deeper through the vault. The crystals, reminded her of veins running through the wall, pulsed from red to violet to blue before they settled back to red. It took all her self-control not to race through to the end, but she was a professional. And had no idea where she was supposed to go. Dante and Idris lingered a few feet behind her. She followed the light, finally noticing that they all appeared to be pointed in the same direction, acting like a spotlight.

Vandana’s statue.

The red hue looked like dried blood on the rose-gold armor.

It hadn’t been a dream.

No bigger than half a foot and encased in glass on a black marble stand, the statue of Vandana stood overwatch. Vandana wore armor and a helmet. Her sword dangled from her left hand. It was exactly like the mosaic in the temple.

Up closer, the light appeared to cast Vandana in a multitude of colors. Rieka needed to touch it, but it was just out of her reach.

Her pendant went ice cold. She was almost there. Just a couple more steps.

Hands grabbed her as she was lifted off the ground, colliding with a hard chest.

“Watch your step.” Dante’s breath tickled her ear as he slowly lowered her to the ground.

Rieka struggled for less than a second as she registered Dante’s words. There was a giant gaping hole between her and the statue. “What?”

An artificial moat surrounded the pedestal.

The drop was at least forty feet to the ground. The walls appeared unnaturally smooth. Silver-tipped spears lined the ground, their points angled upward. Even for an Atlantean, it would mean death.

“Thanks,” she whispered as she took a step away from the edge. She followed Dante’s gaze. Black jagged rocks covered the dome ceiling, each piece protruding at least a foot out. Smooth and shiny and as sharp as a knife, they had clearly been put there to stop someone from climbing across.

Rieka didn’t know what she’d been expecting when Dante had told her she would have access to the vault. It hadn’t been this. A hidden museum that turned into a death trap.

“A moat within the vault?” Dante dryly asked as he looked up. “What were they trying to keep out?”

“Or in?” Idris countered. A hint of wonder entered his voice. “This part of the vault hasn’t been opened for more than fifteen hundred years. Only four other Atlanteans are aware that it exists, including Anhur.” Idris’s eyes twinkled. “This isn’t the only secret the vault has been keeping.”

Rieka wasn’t ready to move away from Dante. Not when his warmth and sheer presence were like a security blanket. The practical part of herself told her she should move and put some space between them. “How do I get access to the statue?”

“You wait.” Idris moved to the edge. “The entire area is on a pressure plate that will collapse on itself if anything bigger than a rodent lands on it or touches the glass.”

Rieka was in shock. “Someone booby-trapped the vault?”

“It has inbuilt stabilizers that will initiate at midnight tonight. The room also appears to be soundproof,” Idris finished. He shrugged as he looked over the moat. “Someone wanted to protect the statue at all costs.”

Tonight. Rieka rubbed her clammy hands on her pants. Dante had hired her to see if it was authentic. She wasn’t so sure she could give him an answer. Or wanted to.