Then, I stared at the illustrations side by side.
Burial Ritual? Sex in the earth. . .lotus blossoms. . .what else?
A slow shiver hit me.
I need to know more.
My hand tightened on the edge of the book.
I closed my eyes and let the image of the spider-shadow settle behind my lids. Its fangs in the enemy's throat.
Nyomi sees my dragon-shadow. The hairstylist can see Rin’s serpent-shadow. Then. . .it’s all real. . .
I opened my eyes.
And if this is real. . .is there a possibility that Rin and I could use the shadows?
This could all be old mythical bullshit or it could change everything in this war.
Please, God. . .Mom. . .show me. . .I don’t want to bury any more men. . .
I spent the rest of the day reading the book, but nothing touched back on that Burial Ritual. I ended up calling Reo, letting him know about the page, and having him put a team into researching it.
Surely, my Roar thought I was crazy, but he would never question me.
When the light outside my window had begun to turn gold, signifying the beginning of sunset, I stopped reading and searched for my Tiger again, taking the book with me.
She wasn’t in the kitchen.
I checked with my Roar, and he said she was in her office. I headed that way and bumped into a long line of women outside the private theater.
What is happening here?
It must have been at least twenty women walking in the same direction. Their heels clicked. They giggled and chatted with each other as they entered the theater. Behind them, several servants pushed long garment racks draped in black sequined gowns. The fabric shimmered.
I gestured to one of the maids. “What is going on?”
One slowed just enough to meet my eyes. Her smile was small and apologetic. “The Tiger asked us not to respond if anyone asks what is going on.”
I frowned. “I am not justanyone.”
“Yes, sir. You are correct.” She bowed and then continued walking.
I watched her go in shock.
Did she just put the Tiger’s loyalty over mine?
A quiet laugh almost broke from my chest before I caught it.
Naughty Tiger. What are you plotting? Issuing orders in my house that even my staff followed over me.
I should have corrected it, but I let it pass. I wanted them to respect her, and she’d clearly gained their loyalty all on her own.
I went to her office and looked inside. She was not there. Yet, a massive cage sat inside.
What the fuck is this?
I went up to it. The cage’s door was open.
