Page 166 of Shadow City: Silver Wolf

Bart frowned but nodded his head before he took off again.

Griffin and Killian followed me, with Julius’s hesitant footsteps several feet behind.

I glanced over my shoulder and watched my brother pause and look at every picture that he passed. Most of them were photos of me through varying stages of childhood, but then he spotted two family pictures of Mom, Dad, and me. I sensed his pain through our bond as he saw everything that he’d missed out on. And for some reason, that was what it took for me to understand even a fragment of his pain. How would it feel to look at pictures you should’ve been a part of but weren’t? To see the life you could’ve had but that someone had stolen from you? If this didn’t get him on our side, I wasn’t sure what would.

I didn’t want Bart to be alone for too long, so I quickened my pace and entered the very last doorway in the hall.

Bart had left the door open, and my parents’ made bed immediately came into view. The navy-blue comforter was wrinkle-free, contrasting with the white bed frame and the sky-blue walls.

Bart stood in front of the white chest of drawers where I’d found the hidden false bottom in dad’s underwear drawer, which had contained the picture album, journal, and letters from Griffin’s dad to mine.

The other three men entered behind me as Bart smiled and said, “This is when your entire life changes.” He reached down to where the drawer had been and slipped his hand inside at the top. A loudclicksounded, and the chest of drawers jerked.

Bart grabbed the right side of the heavy furniture piece and pulled it toward us. A large, gaping hole appeared with steps leading down to what must be the hidden room.

What was it with Dad and his fucking underwear?

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“Your dad’sunderwear has its own story.” Griffin shook his head. “At least his hint was a good one.”

Dad’s words about a person’s underwear speaking volumes about them made sense, especially now. Between the false bottom of the drawer and the button that unlocked the hidden door, his saying was obviously meant to stick with me to help me find everything. The only flaw in his plan was that I was pretty sure I wouldn’t have found the hidden door if not for Bart. “You’re telling me.”

“Um...” Bart’s brows furrowed. “I have a feeling that I don’t want to know.”

“Are we sure it’s safe down there?” Killian walked to the door frame. He peeked his head through the hole, looking down the stairs.

Bart took the first step and looked over his shoulder. “Yes, the room is safe. Most likely a little dusty and small, but safe nonetheless. There’s even a light switch, so we won’t be in the dark.”

I paused, taking a moment to collect myself. I had a feeling that whatever we’d find would alter my reality.

We don’t have to go down there.Griffin comforted me.We can head back home and come back later, or not at all.

The idea was appealing, but leaving would be the coward’s way. Whatever was down there was important, and it might answer some questions that had taken root in my mind.That’s not an option.Even if I wanted it to be.

I’ll be right here beside you,he linked as he placed a hand on the small of my back.If it gets to be too much, we can head back up.

Even if it became difficult, I’d push through. Not knowing things had been a problem this entire time. Everyone else was several steps ahead of us, and even though we were slowly leveling the playing field, time was running out. We needed something to use to our advantage instead of playing defense all the time.And I love you for being right here with me.

Bart continued the trek down the stairs with Killian right behind.

I rushed forward, following Killian before I lost my nerve. Griffin stayed close behind me with Julius taking up the rear.

The stairwell was small, even for me, and I was the smallest of the five of us. I folded my shoulders as I took each step slowly. The wood creaked underneath us but remained secure.

Dust floated around us.Dad must not have come down here for a while.

Well, if he wanted to keep it hidden, he might not have had many opportunities.

Griffin stayed so close that I could feel his body heat on my back. I had a feeling that if he weren’t with me, I wouldn’t have found the strength to come down here.Yeah, I wonder if Mom knew about it.My gut said no. She would’ve insisted that Dad tell me or would’ve shared it with me herself. The day I turned eighteen, only a couple of months ago, she’d told me that I wasnow a woman and that I needed to take my training with Dad more seriously. My excuses wouldn’t work any longer.

Unfortunately, you’ll probably never know.Remorse poured off him.But maybe whatever is down here will shed light on everything.

That was the entire reason I was making myself go through with this.

“Watch your head,” Bart said as he turned to the right, ducking.

Killian reached the bottom and laughed dryly. “You weren’t kidding about a small room.” He glanced at me and winked, but the tension in his shoulders spoke volumes. He was on edge just like Griffin and I were, but he wanted to relax me. He lowered his head and entered the room.

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