Page 40 of King's Reckoning
"We've got a leak," Reed said grimly. "Someone inside the club feeding intel to multiple parties. They know about the artifacts, about Rowan's connection to Elena. About everything."
Rowan's mind raced. "Abby?"
"No." Reed's expression hardened. "Someone closer. Someone who's been watching longer. Building trust, gathering intel..." He met King's eyes. "Someone who knew Elena."
Understanding hit Rowan like a physical blow. "Darkness," she breathed. "He said he worked with Mom back then. Said he recognized her methods in me."
"Makes sense," Reed said. "He's had access to everything. Club records, security protocols, Elena's old research. And he's been feeding it all to..."
"To everyone," King finished. "Devils, Blackwood, whoever's really pulling the strings. Playing all sides against each other while these historical secrets are unearthed."
As if in response, Barbara's equipment beeped urgently, registering significant findings from the latest artifact.
"We need to move," Reed said. "I've got brothers setting up fallback positions, but we don't know how compromised our security is. How many of our escape routes Darkness has exposed."
"The tunnels," Rowan said suddenly. "Mom's private tunnels, the ones only family knew about. She never told anyone about the secondary network. Not even Abby."
"Too risky," King argued. "If they're tracking us through surveillance..."
"They'll be tracking us anyway," Rowan pointed out. "At least in the tunnels we have the advantage. We know the layout, the hiding places, the escape routes."
"She's right," Barbara said, quickly gathering her essential equipment. "These tunnels Elena mapped, they're not just random passages. They're part of an older network that connects to historically significant sites throughout the territory."
"A hidden historical record," Rowan realized. "Mom built her escape routes to preserve access to these sites. To protect the evidence buried there."
King studied her face. So much like Elena's, but with his own determination in her eyes. "Together then?"
Rowan nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility her mother had prepared her for. "Together."
"I'm coming too," Reed said firmly. When they started to protest, he added, "Someone needs to watch your backs while you deal with these artifacts. Besides..." His eyes met Rowan's, warmth flickering in their depths. "I've got my own reasons for keeping you safe."
The memory of their night together hung between them, unspoken but powerful. Rowan felt heat rise in her cheeks, even as Barbara tactfully focused on packing her equipment.
"Multiple vehicles approaching," Barbara reported, checking security feeds on her laptop. "They're moving into position around the property."
"Time to go," King said. He gathered the artifacts while Reed helped Barbara secure her essential equipment. "Rowan, you're on point. You know these tunnels better from your mother's notes."
Rowan nodded, mentally reviewing the escape routes Elena had documented. Whatever came next, they would face it as a family. The way Elena had always intended.
As they moved toward the hidden entrance, Reed's solid presence at her back provided silent support. His hand found hers briefly, squeezing gentle reassurance.
"Together?" he asked softly.
She thought about her mother's letter, about carefully calculated partnerships and unexpected love creating something stronger than mere strategy.
"Together," she agreed.
Outside, vehicles pulled up around the property as multiple forces converged on their location. But Rowan remained calm as she led her family deeper into the tunnels' protective darkness.
The time for running was over. Now it was time to uncover the truth Elena had died protecting. No matter who tried to keep it buried.
The ancient tunnels stretched before them as Rowan led their small group deeper underground. Historical markings dotted the walls, their intricate carvings remarkably preserved despite the centuries. Behind her, Reed and King carried the artifacts while Barbara documented everything with her monitoring equipment.
"These readings are fascinating," Barbara whispered, her instruments casting shadows in the dim light. "The mineral composition of these walls is unlike anything I've seen before. Almost like they were deliberately selected for preservation properties."
"They probably were," Rowan said quietly. She traced a finger along one of the carvings. "Mom didn't just find these tunnels. She studied them extensively. Figured out how they were designed to protect what was hidden here."
"Smart woman," King muttered. His voice echoed in the confined space. "Always thinking ten steps ahead."
