The iron blade felt freezing cold in Elena’s hand. Black smoke rolled through the gap in the giant doors, thick with the smell of sulfur and burned fat. Outside, Chief Elder Gideon was screaming orders, his loud voice bouncing off the high stone ceiling like iron hammers.
"Set the third charge!" Gideon yelled. "Blow the hinges off! Bring me the woman alive! Kill the rest!"
*BOOM!*
The iron doors groaned. Bright orange sparks shot across the white marble floor, lighting up the glowing glass cases. Dust fell from above, coating the kids' hair in fine white powder.
"Elena!" Clara screamed, grabbing Leo and Maya by their coats and pulling them further behind the stone pillar. "Don't do it! Don't cut yourself!"
"Queen, step back!" Vanya barked, her broadsword raised high as she stepped bet
