The muddy footprint ended at the far wall.
Adrian crouched beside it.
The sole pattern was sharp.
Fresh.
No dust had settled inside its grooves.
“They weren’t here weeks ago,” he said quietly.
“They were here recently.”
Victor stood motionless in the center of the ruined chamber.
His eyes moved slowly across the empty shelves.
Whatever had once been hidden there was gone.
“They knew exactly where to look.”
Evelyn folded her arms tightly.
“They always do.”
Elena still held the brass camellia key.
She refused to believe they had come this far only to arrive too late.
“There has to be something left.”
Adrian looked toward her.
“Elena”
“No.”
Her voice surprised even herself.
“We keep finding rooms.”
“We keep finding secrets.”
“Our mother never hid only one thing.”
Victor
