The dim light from Alexander’s flashlight barely illuminated the narrow tunnel, casting elongated shadows along the damp walls. Arabella’s breath came in shallow puffs as she pressed closer to him, every sound around them amplified in the silence. The shuffle they had heard moments ago still echoed in her ears, making her skin prickle with unease.
"Who else would be down here?" she whispered.
Alexander didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulled her behind him, shielding her as his sharp eyes scanned the darkness ahead. Jace stood a few feet away, gripping a small but lethal-looking pistol he had drawn from his waistband.
A second sound—a soft scrape against the concrete—had them all tensing.
"Jace?" Alexander’s voice was low, controlled.
Jace gave a curt nod. "I’ll check it out. St
