“Sophia, no,” I whispered, the reality of her words sinking in.

“They are already on their way, Elena,” Sophia said.

She tapped the screen one last time, and a sharp beep echoed from the wall-mounted intercom panel.

The heavy steel bolts inside the front door clicked, sliding back into their housings with a metallic groan.

“The gates are open,” Sophia said.

Luca spun around, his hand drawing his own weapon from his belt.

“Marcus, we have to move,” Luca said, his voice cracking with sudden urgency.

Through the frosted glass, a pair of headlights cut through the swirling snow of the driveway.

Then another pair appeared behind them, casting bright, erratic beams through the storm.

The engines roared, muffled by the thick stone walls but growing louder by the second.

Marcus took the remaining steps two at a time, his eyes fixed on the front door.

The hum of the approaching vehicles vibrated through the floorboards beneath my feet.

Sophia took three steps backward, opening the heavy wooden door just enough to let the freezing wind rush into the foyer.