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It’d been emptied…

And recently.

My phone trembled in my hand. And suddenly⁠—

Knox.

Blackthorn’s foyer.

Alaric leaning closer.

His voice lowered because he hadn’t wanted me to hear.

… below.

Knox looking at him.

Everything?

Alaric’s hesitation.

Then—

Everything.

The phone slipped from my fingers and hit the concrete. Light spilled wildly across the walls before settling sideways. I didn’t move. Couldn’t.

He knew.

The thought came quietly.

Alaric knew.

Not that the room existed.

Of course he knew that.

He knew I might find it.

He knew enough to empty it.

My throat closed.

I’d asked him. Standing in that security room, I’d handed him my phone. My messages. My fear. Everything.

What is he talking about?

I don’t know.

I’d pushed.

You do.

And he’d looked away.

When this is over, I’ll tell you everything.

Not yet.