Then—
A faint metallic sound echoed somewhere beyond the stone corridor.
Not footsteps.
Not voices.
The unmistakable sound of a rifle being chambered.
Damien's head snapped toward the darkness.
His pistol rose.
"They're here."
The mountain answered him.
A dull...
Thud.
Stone trembled beneath my boots.
Another.
Closer.
Thud.
Not footsteps.
Charges.
Small.
Controlled.
Designed to crack ancient doors without collapsing the tunnels.
Damien's expression hardened.
"They're breaching."
The old man nodded once.
"They learned."
"What?"
"Never use the front entrance."
The third explosion shook dust from the ceiling.
Candles flickered violently.
Some went out.
Darkness swallowed half the chapel.
Damien moved immediately.
"Seraphina."
His voice was calm.
Professional.
