Free Lights of Aurora (The Stone Legacy Series Book 3) by Theresa Dalayne

hand shook as she pressed her palm over the wound.
    When Zanya was finally able to force herself to a sitting position, Sarian’s posture had changed. He stared out at the ground, not reading, not moving. Zanya followed his gaze and spotted Contessa strolling through the genocide as if nothing were happening. Why would Sarian’s ex-lover leave the comforts of her quant home in Moscow to come to the underworld? When Contessa was involved, the outcome was never good. Either she’d showed up just in time to watch Sarian finally get what he wanted, or she was up to something. The latter was Zanya’s first bet.
    Contessa didn’t make any effort to pick up her gown or avoid stepping in puddles of scarlet as she strutted toward the temple. She twirled a strand of hair while passing the lifeless underworlders as they were dismembered and pulled beneath the earth. The roots were now plump with blood, pulsing and writhing above the surface. As if they’d had their fill, they dodged Contessa’s light footsteps.
    “Hello, lover .” Contessa’s voice was like silk. She stopped at the altar’s base. Her stance was wide, and she tapped her index finger against her bottom lip.
    Deepening creases around Sarian’s mouth gave away his disbelief.
    “What? Not happy to see me?” Contessa looked at Zanya, whose muscles tensed. “Oh dear.” She ticked her tongue. “I see you aren’t doing very well.” Instead of climbing the steps, she stood in place, her emerald eyes gleaming. “Allow me to make an educated guess.” She tilted her head to the side. “Stabbed? Luckily for you it wasn’t through the heart.” She turned back to Sarian. “And you .”
    Sarian glanced around the quiet city. “This wasn’t part of our agreement.” Zanya might not have heard the quiver in his voice if she hadn’t been so close.
    “It may not have been part of your plan, but it was part of mine all along.” She swayed her hips side to side, as if she were a playful child telling a story, delighted to be the center of attention. “You couldn’t have honestly believed I would give up the lock of the guardian’s hair so you could better control her stone. Why? Out of the kindness of my heart?” She paused. “Oh, wait. I don’t have a heart any longer. You pierced it. ”
    “We agreed on a price, and you will get what you want as soon as I am finished with the book.”
    “Yes.” Her smile vanished and her expression turned to stone. “You can be sure I will get everything I want.”
    Sarian closed the Popol Vuh and scooped it under his arm. He shifted his weight. Zanya had never seen him look so nervous. “Stop playing games, Contessa.” He scanned the bloodstained valley. “Where is he?”
    “Who, pet?”
    “The king. I assume you are here because you’ve informed him of my plans. Or are you here for another reason?” His shoulders relaxed, and he leaned on the altar with a smug grin. “A second chance at earning my good favor, perhaps?”
    “As much as it would please you to have me groveling at your feet for an opportunity to claim the throne you once promised me, that’s not at all why I’m here.”
    A shadow fell over Sarian—the first shadow Zanya had seen in this realm. It loomed over him and stretched across the altar, then down several of the stone steps.
    Sarian stood up straight, his brows furrowed.
    Contessa smiled widely. “I merely came to watch.”
    Zanya froze, her eyes wide and her breath stalled as Sarian slowly turned, finding himself face-to-face with a beast. Its muscular legs quivered under sleek black fur as if it had just learned to stand. Probably thirsty and weak like the others, it was most likely drawn there by the scent of blood.
    Zanya pressed harder on her wound, but her hands were already coated in scarlet. Perhaps hers would be lost in the scent of the rest of the other blood.
    The beast bared its teeth. The pads of its paws flattened against the stone when it took a step forward. Its breath