Page 382 of Hidden Depths

Storm came back down two steps.

“The silver-haired captain?”

Nathan nodded.

“The man Thomas refuses to name?”

“Yes.”

“Why would Thomas be afraid to say his name?”

Nathan looked toward the open passage.

“Because Thomas watched Ross kill a man on the docks in cold blood.”

Elanore gripped the railing.

“My father-in-law knew him?”

“James knew his father.”

“What did they do?”

Nathan stared into the darkness.

“Whatever is beneath Blackwater began with the Ross family.”

“Then why does it require us?” Storm asked.

“I don’t know.”

The wounded guard laughed.

Nathan turned on him.

“What?”

“You still think James Sinclair built that system to protect his family.”

“He did.”

“No. He built it to judge them.”

“What does that mean?”

The guard shook his head.

“Ask Ross.”

“We will,” I said. “After we stop him from taking the sisters.”

We climbed.

The staircase spiraled upward through the volcanic rock.

Ben led.

Elanore followed with Nathan behind her.