He was looking toward the dark hallway.

“The Syndicate has already been notified that the trust is active,” Nathaniel said. “They will try to contact Valerie.”

I felt the phone in my hand vibrate again.

The screen lit up, casting a pale blue light on my face.

It was another text from the same unknown number.

I hesitated before opening it.

“They are already here,” I said, looking at the screen.

The text was short.

“The gate is open,” the message read. “We are waiting on the terrace.”

I looked toward the French doors that led out to the stone terrace.

Outside, the rain was pouring down, washing over the stone floor I had scrubbed just three days ago.

The shadows of three figures stood near the stone balustrade, motionless in the dark.

I watched them, my heart beating fast against my ribs.

One of the figures raised a hand and tapped on the glass.

The tapping sound was sharp, like a fingernail hitting glass.

I stood frozen for a second, the phone still glowing in my hand.