Page 43 of Forever a Thief

“Don’t even think about it,” Voss says as though reading my mind. “There’s nowhere you can run that I won’t find you. Because you, my little bookworm, are going to help me find The Heart of Azure.”

Hmmm. We’ll see about that.

I wisely bite my tongue and do the only thing I can—I wait. Sitting down on the edge of the couch, I find comfort reading through the dog-eared pages copied from my favorite story, hoping the magic will allow me to escape my current prison.

As always, I get lost in Alice’s adventure. Eventually, Voss says it’s time to go, and he ushers me back out the door. More than anything, I’m beyond ready to see Rhys. I can’t stop thinking about him. I know now that leaving him was a mistake. I’m still not sure how he feels, but if we get out of this alive, I’m going to tell him I’m falling for him. So damn hard. The short amount of time we’ve been apart feels like forever. All I want to do is throw myself in his arms and feel them wrap securely around me.

The ride to the Basilica Cistern doesn’t take long. The only way in is through a discreet entrance on Yerebatan Caddesi Street, and I’m not sure how Voss plans to get inside the historical site. But when Tweedledum works some magic on his laptop and the door unlocks, color me impressed. Guess he’s not so dumb after all, and I’m going to keep an extra close eye on him.

It’s late, and the cistern, located in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square, is quiet. We sneak inside the small, unimpressive building far too easily, and I see a staircase leading into darkness. Voss and his thugs turn on flashlights. The Tweedles also remove guns from hidden holsters, and I suck in a low breath.

Here we go. Down, down, down into another rabbit hole.

I count fifty-two stairs leading to the underground chamber, where it’s much cooler than outside and incredibly damp. Looking around, I rub the chill from my arms. It’s creepy as hell. Beyond eerie. Tweedledum must’ve hacked the system, because it’s not pitch black. Instead, the cistern glows with a moody, atmospheric lightshow that shifts in color, slowly fading between deep ambers and cool blue-greens. Submerged spotlights highlight the endless marble columns, casting dramatic reflections on the water. The sound of dripping water echoes all around, and the vaulted brick ceilings create a surreal, mystical feel. It’s like I stepped into another world.

“This way,” Voss directs, giving me a little push, and we start across a platform leading over the water.

I know it’s supposed to be shallow, but it’s hard to tell the exact depth. At least until we come to a lit-up area, and I can easily see the uneven bricks below the surface. I abruptly stop when I notice a strange rippling. Then I remember reading about the Koi fish who inhabit the water. The ripple effect is mesmerizing, almost hypnotic, and one of Voss’s thugs gives me a shove.

“Keep moving,” he grunts.

Jerking my shoulder away, I start walking again. The enormous columns, mostly sourced from ruined Roman temples, vary in style and feature ornate designs. And it occurs to me they’d be excellent places to hide behind. Same with the large Medusa heads. One is upside down and the other lies on its side. Legend has it, they were placed that way to prevent their powers from harming anyone who looked upon them. Yeah, creepy.

“Here.” Voss stops beside a large column, and I shift from one foot to the other, growing more nervous.

The constantly-changing lights give off the illusion of movement, and have me on edge. If a location can truly be haunted, I’d be willing to wager my money right here on this place.

“Where the hell is he?” Voss snaps, looking down at his watch.

“I’m right here.”

My head swivels toward the sound of Rhys’s velvet voice, and I see him step out from behind a massive column covered in what looks like…peacock eyes. It must be The Weeping Column. My heart races and I draw in a sharp breath, remembering the peacock’s weeping tail reference, and how I believe that’s the location where the necklace is hidden.

But all I can focus on is Rhys and I want to weep with joy at seeing him. Relief floods me, and I can’t help but smile.

My reluctant hero came for me.

When he sees the guns, he lifts his hands, showing he has no weapon, slowly moving closer.

“That’s close enough,” Voss orders. “Where’s the book?”

Rhys smirks. “In a safe place.”

“The deal was you give me the book, I give you the girl.”

“He’s lying,” I cry. “He’s going to kill you, Rhys. Don’t believe him.”

His attention flicks to me. “Are you okay, Savvy?” When I nod, his shoulders relax slightly.

“Keep a gun on him,” Voss orders Tweedledee, then turns to Tweedledum, “and a gun on her. It’s time to find the sapphire.” He focuses his full attention on Rhys. “Give me the damn book.”

The sound of dripping water echoes throughout the chamber. No one moves, but Rhys gives me a slight nod of reassurance then turns to Voss. “I told you, it’s in a safe place,” he repeats.

“You obviously need a little motivation to cooperate, Laurent.” Voss’s next words make my stomach sink. “Isn’t there a scene where Alice eats part of a mushroom?” He reaches into his jacket and removes the small bottle he showed me on the plane.

“No,” I respond, keeping my voice as steady as possible even though I’m shaking inside.

“Liar,” he chides, offering the small bottle. “Drink it. Or your lying boyfriend gets a bullet in the brain.”