Cherion's muscles screamed under the strain as he threw his entire body weight against the heavy wooden bookshelf.
Behind him, across the quiet painting room, the brass handle of the main door completed its slow downward tilt. The heavy iron latch clicked open with a distinct, metallic sound that sent a jolt of pure adrenaline straight through Cherion's veins.
Move, damn it, move!
With a low, groaning slide of stone against wood, the heavy bookshelf panel finally gave way just enough. A gap no wider than a foot opened into the pitch-black void behind it. Cherion didn't hesitate for a single second. He sucked in his stomach, turned sideways, and forced himself through the narrow gap.
He reached back with both hands, catching the inner lip of the stone door, and pulled it shut with absolute, weightless precision just as the main gallery door swung open.
The heavy panel clicked back into its flush seam with a soft, barely audible thud.
