Ava POV
The door opened before I finished speaking. Lucas stood there, his face tight with worry. Behind him, I could see the hallway stretching long and empty. No Marcus. No Damien.
"Where are the others?" I asked.
"Marcus is checking the perimeter. Damien's in the kitchen." Lucas's eyes dropped to the cassette player on the floor, then to the tape still in my hand. "What is that?"
"A recording." My voice sounded strange, even to me. Flat. Hollow. "I found it in the air vent. Hidden."
Lucas stepped inside and closed the door. "What's on it?"
I shook my head. "Not yet. I need everyone here. I can't say it twice."
He studied my face for a long moment. Then he pulled out his phone and typed something. "They're coming."
We waited in silence. I didn't move from the floor. My legs felt
