The Mausoleum's Bait

In the fractured city of Velar, still smoldering from the Mausoleum Riots over the tomb of the ancient conqueror Zafir, a series of ritualistic murders targets radical activists on both sides. Inspector Rivan Ashford, a historian turned detective, crafts the ultimate reverse-sting: he transforms into a provocative online agitator to lure the elusive killer. But as he engages in a dangerous intellectual dance with a brilliant and seductive suspect known only as The Chronicler, the line between predator and prey blurs. Rivan plunges into a forbidden obsession, unaware that the truth buried beneath the ancient stones will wound him deeper than any blade ever could.