Page 97 of The Eagle's Vault

“Brilliant.” Declan’s tone was low and urgent, excitement threading underneath his pained groans. “Brie, can we overlay the golden spiral on the image of the door?”

“Try every direction,” I said, stepping back and trying to visualize the spiral on the door. I recalled the proportions from the Mona Lisa, my mind’s eye tracing the unseen spiral’s path from the lady’s hand, over her shoulder, above her head, curling finally to her nose.

The thug on the ground let out a low moan, stirring.

Jayce said around a mouthful of chocolate, “Rav, we’ve got movement here.”

“Should we tie him to a chair or something?” I asked.

Declan approached the vault door. “Rav wants Jayce topside to help him lure the police close enough to find Pavel.”

Jayce squeezed my arm, her gaze heavy. “You good if I leave you here with the guys?”

I smiled back, grateful for her support. I had Declan. What else did I need? “I’m good.”

“Stay safe.” Jayce winked as she threw her pack over her shoulders and popped the last bite of chocolate into her mouth. She disappeared into the maze, a path lit by her headlamp.

Declan kept one arm tight to his chest, pointing with the gun at a carving about six feet off the ground. “That one’s the odd one out.”

Brie blew a raspberry, her voice a mix of annoyance and respect. “Of course Declan would get it first.”

“How did you figure that out?” I asked.

“Adrenaline.” He puffed up as a taunt, grimacing through it. “I had to beat you to something.”

“I just found the right angle,” Brie said. “If Declan picked the scorpion, then he’s right.”

Declan tucked the gun into his tool belt. “What’s next?”

Our group fell into discussion. Daniel brought up theories about the Vitruvian Man, Brie questioned the possibility of the door shifting position over the centuries, while Isaac debated whether the water model was accurate. Declan closed in on the scorpion carving, dictating every bump and edge.

The conversation swirled around me, their chatter melding into a distant hum as my mind spun.

Suddenly, a thought pierced the din, crystal clear. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a truth that was right in front of us.

“Turn back!” I blurted out.

The room fell silent, and all eyes fell on me.

“Rav and Jayce have just dropped off Pavel.” Declan swiveled to look at me. “Scarlett says someone met the police at the entrance, possibly an owner or manager. Looks like they’re coming in.”

“Turn back,” I repeated, excitement coiling in my gut, ready to spring free. “The mirror writing on the panel next to the door—it doesn’t mean go away because the contents are cursed. It means we should literally turn it back.”

“We have twenty minutes.” Declan paused, nodding. “Rav says be ready to go in fifteen.”

We had enough time. We had to. I could do this. “It’s an invitation, not a warning. The plaque says turn back. We literally need to turn the plaque back.”

Daniel straightened fully for the first time since we’d entered the catacombs. “You’re right. Look at the fresco opposite the vault door. It’s a man holding a key where the plaque is. I thought it symbolized the existence of a key, but maybe it’s telling us where it’s hidden.”

Declan waved me to the side of the door and hoisted me up so I could reach the plaque. He grunted, no doubt from the pain in his arm, his ribs, and his leg, but he insisted. Isaac handed me a small crowbar from the tool chest, which I used to pop the plaque off.

It didn’t fall. It swiveled.

“There’s a hole.”Don’t be a trap that’s going to cut off my arm.I reached in slowly, inch by inch. Nothing slammed shut and no creepy crawlies skittered over me. My hand landed on something metallic. A key! Massive, nearly a foot long.

Enzo groaned again and everyone paused, but he didn’t move.

Daniel edged closer to the rest of us. “Declan, you should put her down and get the gun out.”

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