“We have to get back to the vault,” I said.

We moved down the hallway as fast as we could.

Outside, the sound of gunfire grew louder.

Multiple rifles were firing now.

We reached the pantry door and slipped inside.

I locked it behind us.

We hurried down the wooden stairs into the cold cellar.

The basement was silent except for the hum of the emergency batteries.

I pushed the vault door open.

Daniel was standing near the brick shaft, his gun drawn.

Nora was holding Lila tight.

Clara was sitting on a crate, her eyes wide with fear.

“We have to go,” I said, helping Marcus onto a chair.

“Caleb is distracted, but his men are everywhere.”

“Did you sign?” Nora asked.

“No,” I said.

“The power went out.”

“Someone is attacking them from the outside.”

I looked at Lila.

She was whimpering, her face buried in Nora’s neck.

I went to her and knelt.

“It’s going to be okay, sweetheart,” I said.

I reached out to comfort her, my hand wrapping around her small shoulder.

My fingers brushed against the silver pendant again.