The Temple of Indra’s Jewel: Read Online Free

lord.”
    “Either you’re lying or she’s playing a game. Why must she be so disagreeable, Enzo? Just like her father. That chamber exists somewhere in this godforsaken fortress and, by God, I will find it.”
    “You will find it.”
    “I just said that!” he snapped. “That treasure-hunting bastard Ferris. He gave that stone to the old fool to protect. If only I could find it; imagine what I could do. I’ve tracked it too long to give up now.”
    I stepped softly back from the door, turning to leave, but the next few words grabbed my attention.
    “Sapphira knows where it is. I’ve caught her disappearing into rooms and surfacing in others since she was small. Both her father and brother took her into their confidence. If only I could force her to trust me.”
    “It’s past time she had a husband, my lord,” said Enzo. “Demand her hand, and then she’ll be forced to tell you.”
    “Her brother is the problem. I’ll have to deal with him as I dealt with the old man.”
    A lump formed in my throat. Someone was now pacing, and I realized they might soon exit and catch me.
    I turned and rushed down the corridor, fighting hysteria the entire time. What was going on around here?
    Anais came out of a room just as I approached.
    “There you are.” She smiled.
    “Anais,” I said, panting. “What is the name of this island?”
    “Island? Princess, I fear you’re not getting any better. I’m going to call Monsieur.”
    “No! Why are you still calling me that? Please, Anais, I fell into the sea at Marguerite Island, and I know I’ve washed up somewhere else. I realize you could get in trouble for breaking character in this crazy play, but please tell me where I am.”
    “Monaco.”
    “Well, that makes sense.” Thank God! Monaco’s not far from the island. I just need to find a phone. I began to ponder the costumes just as Anais clarified.
    “I call you that because you are the Princess of Monaco.”
    I stared at her, dumbfounded.
    “See for yourself,” she said, leading me down the hall.
    Curious, I followed her into a room that appeared to be a library or study of some sort. Another lantern sat above yet another fireplace. Where was the electricity? My eyes darted upward above where Anais stood in front of a large gilt-framed portrait.
    She came to my side, and my jaw dropped.
    At first glance it was as though I stood in front of that mirror again at the party. The woman in the painting could have been me—well, me as I looked right now.
    “Do you remember now, Mademoiselle? This was just done at the first of the year.”
    “And what year would that be, Anais?”
    “Why, 1857 of course, Your Highness.”

CHAPTER THREE
    “P rincess, you’re awake?” Anais said.
    “What happened?” I murmured groggily.
    “You fainted, Mademoiselle.”
    My skull pounded. “I had the strangest dream.” I paused, recalling the details. “Did you say Princess of Monaco?”
    “You see,” she whispered out of the corner of her mouth, eyes darting and shifting to someone standing on the other side of me.
    “Yes, she’s really had quite the trauma. I’m afraid she needs more rest,” a man said.
    I twisted my shoulders and looked in the direction of the male voice just long enough to see a long pointy syringe coming at me.
    “No drugs.” I barely got the words out before the world went dark again.
    *   *   *
    Sleep was uneasy. I tossed and turned in the large canopy bed as snatches of the past week drifted before me like a film playing in reverse. I saw the cavern with its hypnotic glow. And then the light changed, and it was streaming through the terrace doors of our beautiful French villa, illuminating my great-grandmother Gigi’s jewels in their rosewood box. I carefully picked the necklace up and held it against my fingers, letting it shift in the sunlight. It was covered in purple amethyst and was so intoxicating that I never wore it; only the ring had ever graced my body. Shifting my hair, I took