Lillian shook her head.“She only knew that you would have a choice.”Ethan remembered the woman’s voice from the vision.Someday, they will tell you that you were created.His fingers tightened around the Key.Marcus noticed.“You have it.”Ethan looked down.The strange Key rested in his palm.Marcus’s face changed.“That’s impossible.”“What?”“That Key disappeared.”“Apparently not.”Marcus took a step forward.Ethan immediately raised his weapon again.“Don’t.”Marcus stopped.“I need to see it.”“No.”“Ethan—”“No.”His voice became colder.“Everyone keeps telling me what I am.”He looked at Marcus.“Everyone wants something from me.”Then he looked at Lillian.“And apparently everyone has been keeping secrets.”Lillian didn’t argue.Ethan looked back at Marcus.“So here’s what’s going to happen.”Marcus raised an eyebrow.“You’re going to tell me everything.”“And if I refuse?”Ethan smiled faintly.“Then I’ll find out myself.”A sudden scream came from one of the SUVs.Everyon

Ethan wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.He forced himself to keep reading.If you’re reading this, then I’m no longer there to protect you.But if you are alive, then something went right.Ethan’s fingers tightened around the paper.Something went right?He continued.I need you to understand one thing before you learn the truth.You were never abandoned.I loved you.I loved you more than anything in this world.Ethan stopped again.His lips trembled.The elderly woman lowered her eyes.Lillian quietly watched him.Ethan took a slow breath and continued.I know you may hate me.You have every right to.You may wonder why I left you.You may wonder why I didn’t come back.The truth is that I wanted to.Every day.Every night.I wanted to run back to you.But they were watching.They knew about you.They knew what you were.Ethan froze.His eyes moved back to the sentence.What you were.His heart began pounding.He looked up.“What does she mean by that?”Nobody answered.Etha

The car disappeared into the night.The old man remained on the rooftop.His eyes stayed fixed on the road long after Ethan was gone.The woman beside him lowered the Key in her hand.“Should we follow them?”The old man shook his head.“No.”She frowned.“But he has the Key.”“I know.”“And Marcus failed.”The old man smiled faintly.“Marcus didn’t fail.”The woman looked at him.“He let them escape?”“He did exactly what I wanted.”She stared at him in confusion.The old man finally turned toward her.“Ethan needed to hear the truth.”“Which truth?”“That his father betrayed his mother.”“But that isn’t true.”The old man’s smile returned.“It doesn’t need to be.”He walked toward the edge of the roof.“Not yet.”The woman followed him.“What happens now?”The old man looked down at the city.“Now Ethan will start searching for answers.”“And when he discovers the truth?”The old man’s eyes darkened.“He won’t like what he finds.”⸻Inside the car, Ethan couldn’t stop looking at the

Twelve times.Ethan suddenly dropped to one knee.“Ethan!”Lillian rushed toward him.Daniel grabbed her arm.“Wait.”“He’s in pain!”“I know.”Ethan clenched his teeth.A sharp burning sensation traveled from his palm up his arm.The symbol on the Key began glowing.Then something appeared on the ground beneath him.A circle.Twelve symbols surrounded it.Daniel’s face went pale.“No…”Ethan looked up.“What?”Daniel stared at the symbols.“The map.”“What map?”“The map to the Chambers.”Lillian stepped closer.The symbols began moving.One by one, they disappeared.Until only three remained.Daniel crouched beside Ethan.“Three locations.”Ethan looked at the first symbol.“What does that mean?”Daniel pointed at it.“The first Chamber.”“Where?”Daniel’s expression changed.“Under the old cathedral.”Ethan frowned.“There hasn’t been a cathedral there for years.”“Exactly.”He pointed at the second symbol.“The second one is beneath the university.”Lillian looked at him.“And the

The woman looked at him. For several seconds, she said nothing. Then her lips trembled. “Ethan…” His knees nearly gave out. It was her. Elena. Alive. After twenty-one years. Ethan took one step forward. Then another. His eyes filled with tears. “You’re alive.” Elena smiled through her tears. “I knew you’d come.” Ethan rushed toward her. But before he could reach her, chains suddenly tightened around her wrists. Ethan stopped. “What the hell?” Elena’s expression changed. “Don’t come any closer!” A deep voice echoed through the Chamber. “You shouldn’t have opened that door.” Everyone froze. The old man stepped out of the shadows. Ethan’s grandfather. He looked exactly like he had on the rooftop. Calm. Elegant. Untouched by time. But now Ethan could see something else in his eyes. Possession. The old man looked at him. “My grandson.” Ethan’s fists clenched. “You took my mother.” “I protected her.” “You imprisoned her!” “I preserved her.” Ethan stepp