“They’re going to kill us all, Adrian,” Caleb said, his voice rising in panic. “If you don’t let me talk to them, we’re dead.”

“They don’t want to talk to you,” I said. “They already got what they wanted.”

The phone in my pocket stopped vibrating for a fraction of a second, then immediately began to ring again.

The screen lit up through the fabric of my trousers, a persistent blue beacon in the darkness.

Outside, the first heavy blow struck the cellar door, sending a shower of ancient mortar crumbling down from the archway.

Another heavy thud shook the oak door.

Dust rained down from the ceiling, coating my shoulders in grey powder.

The phone in my pocket buzzed again, vibrating against my thigh.

I pulled it out and stared at the screen.

It was an restricted number, flashing in the dim light of the cellar.

“Adrian, they are through the first gate,” Daniel said, his voice tight.

He stood near the stone archway, his hand resting on his holster.

Nora leaned heavily against the damp stone pillar behind him.