Page 41 of King's Reckoning
"Speaking of thinking ahead," Reed cut in, "we need to consider our next move. Darkness'sbetrayal changes everything. The Devils and Blackwood's people know all our protocols, all our fallback positions."
"Not all of them," Rowan corrected. She gestured to the markings that Elena had carefully documented. "Mom kept some secrets even from her closest allies. These deeper tunnels are just the start."
Before anyone could respond, Barbara's phone buzzed with a secure message from one of her academic contacts. Her sharp intake of breath made them all pause.
"What is it?" King demanded.
"Multiple MC chapters are gathering," Barbara reported grimly. "Not just Devils. Kings Chosen, Iron Fists, Satan's Riders...they're all mobilizing. Converging on our territory from different directions."
"Darkness's work," Reed said tersely. "He's been laying the groundwork for this, turning other chapters against us. Probably convinced them we're hoarding something valuable."
"We are," Rowan pointed out. She glanced at the artifacts they carried. "The question is, how much did he tell them about what's really hidden here? About the significance of it all?"
"Enough to make them dangerous," King said. "But probably not the whole truth. That kind of knowledge...it changes people's priorities. Makes themunpredictable."
As if in response, the tunnel ahead split into multiple branches. Rowan studied the markings, recognizing patterns from her mother's journal.
"This way," she said with certainty. "There's something Mom wanted us to find."
The tunnel opened into a larger chamber, its walls covered in more elaborate markings arranged in complex patterns. At the center stood a stone table, its surface carved with imagery that Rowan recognized from Elena's notes.
"More artifacts?" Reed asked, remaining vigilant as he scanned the space.
"No," Rowan breathed. "Something else. Something older."
She approached the table slowly, examining the carvings. The designs matched symbols from all the artifacts they'd recovered, but arranged in a way that suggested a larger narrative.
"Careful," King warned. But he made no move to stop her, recognizing something in her expression that reminded him painfully of Elena.
Rowan's hand hovered over the table's surface, then she carefully traced the central design. It was a map—a detailed rendering of the tunnel system and the territory above it, showing connections she hadn't previously understood.
"It's a historical record," she said, excitement building as pieces fell into place. "Showing the original settlements, how they were connected, who controlled which areas."
Images formed in her mind—not supernatural visions but connections her trained mind made as she studied the carvings. She saw how the original settlers had discovered these tunnels, how the first MCs had formed to protect the territory, how certain families had been entrusted with keeping these records intact.
When she looked up, she found Reed supporting her gently, concern evident in his expression. King hovered nearby, watching carefully.
"I understand now," she said, her voice steady with newfound clarity. "The founding families, the creation of the MCs...it wasn't random. These organizations were formed specifically to protect historical evidence that certain interests wanted buried."
"The Devils too?" Reed asked quietly.
Rowan nodded. "Different branches of the same initiative. All connected to these historical artifacts, but protecting different pieces of the puzzle. That's why Mom..." She trailed off as new understanding hit her. "That's why she was studying the founding families. Trying to understand how they all fit together."
"Before others could use that knowledge for their own ends," King finished. His expression was haunted. "Like they're trying to do now."
Barbara's phone buzzed again, more urgent this time. "Multiple chapters have crossed our territory lines," she reported. "They're coordinating theirmovements, sharing intel. This isn't just a territorial dispute anymore. They're hunting for something specific."
"Us," Rowan said simply. "They want the artifacts, yes, but they also want what we know. The historical evidence that could rewrite property rights across the region."
"Let them try," Reed said firmly, his hand tightening on his weapon.
But King was already shaking his head. "We can't fight them all. Not directly. Even with these tunnels as shelter, they'll eventually find a way in. Especially with Darkness helping them."
"Then we don't fight," Rowan said slowly, new possibilities forming in her mind. "We negotiate."
"What?" Reed stared at her. "With the people trying to kill us?"
"With the other founding families," Rowan corrected. "The ones who don't know the full truth yet. Mom's research showed different groups protecting different pieces of the historical record. What if...what if that was intentional? What ifwe're supposed to work together?"
