Page 135 of Coordinates of Death

Even if it meant her death. She would become who God wanted her to be.

A light for Him.

She raised her hands in the air. “I leave my life in Your hands, Lord. Use me. Protect Kordell, and show me how to escape the clutches of evil.”

Footsteps echoed in the corridor seconds before the bolt slid against the wood and the door opened. Jade and Dale stepped into Aurora’s prison, holding a tray of food.

“Your last supper is ready.” Jade smiled and placed it on the small table. “Enjoy. Not to worry. We’re keeping Kord’s warm for him.”

An alarm pierced the dungeon.

Dale withdrew his cell phone, tapping on the screen. “Ah, just in time.” He raised the screen in Aurora’s direction.

She gasped.

The camera revealed Kordell’s vehicle approaching the front gate.

“He couldn’t have timed it better.” Dale pocketed the phone and retrieved his gun from the back of his waistband. “Time to greet our other guest, sister.”

The twins left, clanging the door shut.

A vise gripped Aurora’s heart at the terrifying thought of losing the man she cared for.

Father, save Kord.

Kordell tensed as the wrought-iron gate screeched open, his presence obviously known to the inhabitants of the estate. Fog clung to the snow-covered laneway as the low-lying branches draped over his vehicle like skeletal hands reaching out to swallow him whole. A chill, despite the sudden unusual warm air, shot through his body, and he gripped the steering wheel tighter. He drove along the twisty lane deep into the wilderness.

Turning a bend, the castlelike building rose out of the snowy forest like something he’d seen in a horror movie—haunting and beautiful at the same time, if that was even possible. Dead vines clung to the stone walls, weathered with age. A single turret jutted skyward, its menacing silhouette stark against the snowy sky. Surrounding pines leaned inward, branches sagging under their icy covering.

A single candle flickering in the turret window added to the creepy atmosphere, leaving Kordell wondering if anyone actually lived on the estate.

Or was it simply used to imprison the Shadow Box Killer’s victims—including Aurora?

He parked close to the front door and cut the engine. Kordell realized there was no going back. A trap lay ahead, but he couldn’t leave Rory alone and defenseless. Little did SBK know, his team and Aurora’s lurked nearby waiting for his signal. He had met with the squad and devised a plan, which included a personal locator device hidden inside the sole of his boot and an alarm in his belt buckle. The alarm would signal the team to move in.

His boot sank into the snowy ground as he stumbled forward and analyzed the trees. Somewhere out there, Hayley was probably high in a tree. Kordell studied the mansion’s windows and discovered a large one on the west side, perfect for a sniper shot—if needed. He tucked that information away and crept toward the entrance, alert for any movement. He wouldn’t be caught unaware. Too much was at stake.

Kordell trudged up the snow-covered steps as the heavy oak door creaked open a crack. He uttered a silent prayer for protection. God, if You’re listening, I could really use Your help. Rory needs You. Please don’t let her die.

Right now, his only concern was Aurora’s safety, not his own. He stilled. Was that what it felt like to be truly in love with someone? How could he have fallen so quickly?

Kordell marshaled strength and courage into his body as he edged his way inside the mansion. Lights flickered on at his presence, illuminating an eerie glow throughout the structure. A steep spiral staircase on the right led to the second level. Furniture adorned the living room to the left. An upright piano stood on the far wall like a relic from earlier days, weathered with scratches and names written into the dark wood. A hallway led into the depths of the building.

Not sure which way to go, Kordell inched down the corridor and tried a door. Locked. Then another. Locked.

A light blinked on at the end of the hall.

He approached slowly and tried the knob.

Unlocked.

He eased it open, and a yellow glow from below revealed stone steps leading into a basement. Figures. Why did everything have to be on the lower level? His inner voice screamed Don’t go down, but he had no choice.

Kordell descended, the dampness chilling his bones with each step despite his parka, terror icing his veins. Water dripped somewhere in the distance like an annoying leaky faucet, but he ignored it and continued his descent. He reached the bottom and paused, doubts plaguing him. Doubts about whether he and Aurora would make it out of the mansion alive.

Doubts rose about the brave persona he liked to project to others, but deep down he had to force his leadlike legs to move. You can do this.

You have to do this.