The stone doorway sealed itself with a deep rumble.
On the other side, silence embraced them once again.
Anthony waited several seconds before speaking.
"I don't think they saw us."
Mercer nodded.
"William designed these passages so that even those who knew they existed could never find every entrance."
Evelyn ran her hand along the smooth stone wall.
The familiar emblem of the tree within a circle appeared again, carved every few meters.
"He left us a trail."
"He left you a trail," Mercer corrected gently.
"He always believed you would return here one day."
The passage sloped downward until it opened into a vast underground chamber.
Unlike the damp tunnels behind them, this room was warm and dry.
Lanterns, powered by old batteries, cast a soft golden glow.
Bookshelves stretc
