*02:45.*

“Bring him,” I said.

Daniel and Marcus ran back to the cell.

I stood in the dim corridor, the silence of the cellar pressing in on me.

I could hear the distant sound of the wind outside.

Then, another sound joined it.

It was a low, dull thud from above.

Like a heavy door slamming shut.

Or a footstep.

I froze, listening closely.

The estate was supposed to be locked down.

No one should be able to get past the outer gates.

“Daniel?” I called out softly.

He didn’t answer.

I heard the sound of a struggle from the cell.

“He’s fighting!” Marcus shouted.

“Get him out here!” I yelled back.

The countdown read *02:10.*

I looked up at the stone ceiling.

The sound came again, louder this time.

It was the sound of glass shattering on the first floor.

Someone was inside the house.

Not Elena. Not Lila.

Multiple people.

I heard the heavy, rhythmic thud of combat boots on the hardwood above us.

“Daniel!” I shouted, panic rising in my chest. “We have company!”

Daniel emerged from the cell, dragging Caleb by his arms.