The tunnel seemed to grow quieter after Thomas's words. No one spoke.
Even the steady drip of water from the stone ceiling suddenly sounded louder than before. Sebastian stood frozen.
"They've been watching your family... long before you were born."
The sentence refused to leave his mind.
His secure phone was still in Elena's hand, the message glowing on the screen.
MANOR UNDER ATTACK.
It wasn't a warning anymore. It was happening.
Magnus was the first to recover.
"We need to move." Thomas lifted one hand.
"Running blindly won't help."
Magnus frowned. "My home is under attack."
"I know."
"And if you rush into the trap without understanding it..."
Thomas looked directly at Sebastian.
"...you'll lose far more than a house."
The old man's voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
Everyone listened.
Samuel stepped closer to Thomas, still struggling to believe he was alive.
"I watched your funeral."
Thomas smiled sadly.
