The ancient door beneath the estate continued opening slowly.
Metal groaned violently.
Dust and debris rained from the ceiling as the entire underground chamber shook harder with every passing second.
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Because the energy pouring from beneath the door felt terrifying.
Ancient.
Alive.
Emily stared at the glowing entrance below with widening eyes while pain continued surging through her body.
The marks spreading across her skin burned brighter now.
Golden patterns winding slowly along her arms like living fire.
Alexander tightened his hold around her immediately.
"Don't look at it."
But Emily couldn't stop.
Something deep inside her was pulling her toward that door.
Calling her.
The masked man stepped closer to the opening almost reverently.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"After all these years…"
Lucien's expression darkened sharply.
"You're insane."
The masked man ignored him completely.
