Nobody moved.
The darkness inside the tunnel felt alive.
Heavy.
Breathing.
Camille could hear water dripping somewhere nearby and the uneven sound of her own heartbeat pounding inside her ears.
Then Dante's hand found hers instantly.
Strong.
Warm.
Grounding.
"Stay behind me," he said quietly.
The command came naturally to him now.
Like protecting her had become instinct.
Another metallic click echoed through the darkness ahead.
Not one gun.
Several.
Victor's voice lowered through the phone speaker.
"That's definitely not good."
"Your commentary is useless," Adrian muttered.
A flashlight suddenly flicked on at the far end of the tunnel.
Then another.
And another.
Dark figures emerged slowly from the shadows.
Armed.
Silent.
Professional.
Camille's stomach dropped immediately.
Helixor again.
Dante stepped slightly in front of her.
The stranger beside them Victor's replica tilted his head faintly.
"They adapted faster than expected."
