The darkness swallowed the chapel.
For several seconds, there was nothing but silence.
Then—
CLICK.
A faint red light appeared beneath the altar.
Rafael immediately moved in front of Aria.
"Stay behind me."
Aria shook her head.
"No."
He looked back at her.
"This isn't the time to argue."
"I'm not arguing."
She held the photograph tightly.
"I'm telling you I'm not hiding anymore."
Marco's men raised their weapon and scanned the room.
"Noah?"
"I'm working on the doors."
A metallic sound echoed beneath their feet.
CLANK.
Aria froze.
"Did you hear that?"
Rafael nodded.
"The floor."
Another sound followed.Then the stone beneath the altar slowly separated.
A staircase appeared.Cold air rose from below.
Marco's expression changed.
"The underground chamber."
Rafael looked at him.
"You knew this existed?"
"Not this entrance."
Aria stared down the dark staircase.
"The message said my parents were taken."
She looked at Rafael.
