Chapter 9 - The Descent
Ethan led the way, his hand on the door handle as he waited for the patrol to pass. The corridor was quiet, save for the distant, muffled sounds of the estate’s staff.
He moved with a predator’s silent grace, gesturing for Emma to follow him down the dimly lit hallway. They bypassed the grand staircase, heading deep into the west wing where the older, disused portions of the mansion were located. The air grew cooler, the opulent cream-and-gold walls giving way to dark wood paneling and historical portraits.
At the end of the corridor, behind a heavy tapestry, lay a small, iron-bound service door. Ethan used a brass override key, the lock opening with a soft, metallic click.
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They stepped onto the narrow, spiral stone staircase, their footsteps echoing faintly in the damp, enclosed space. Emma held Leo tightly, her breath hitching as the door clicked shut behind them, plunging them into a shadow that felt both protective and terrifying.
“Watch your step,” Ethan whispered, his large hand supporting her elbow as they descended into the underground utility tunnels that ran beneath the massive estate.
