Elias moved fast.
He kicked the door open with a sharp crack, his revolver steady as he scanned the dimly lit hallway. The flickering overhead lights cast jagged shadows, making it impossible to tell if someone had just stepped back or was waiting in the darkness.
Silence.
Then—
A figure lunged from the side.
Elias barely had time to react before a gloved hand grabbed his wrist, twisting the gun off its mark. A knife slashed through the air, missing his throat by inches.
Trained. Precise.
Whoever this was, they weren't some common thug.
Elias shoved back hard, breaking free just as another attacker emerged from the shadows. This one had no hesitation—he struck fast, aiming for Elias's ribs.
Elias twisted, the blade catching his coat instead of flesh. He fired once, the gunshot roaring through the narrow hallway. The first man staggered back, clutching his shoulder.
Behind him, Evelyn yanked Damien down, taking cover as she reached for something inside her bag. "Elias!"
The second attacker pressed forward, relentless. Elias barely got an arm up before a fist crashed into his ribs, knocking the air from his lungs. He staggered back—
And then Evelyn moved.
A bright flash exploded from her hand—pepper spray, aimed perfectly. The man screamed, clutching his burning eyes, and Elias took the opening. A solid punch to the jaw sent him sprawling.
The first man, still clutching his wounded shoulder, turned and ran.
Elias fired again, but the attacker was already gone, disappearing down the hall. The only sound left was the distant echo of retreating footsteps.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Elias exhaled, rolling his shoulder. "Well. That was subtle."
Evelyn shot him a glare. "You're welcome."
Damien, still crouched by the desk, looked like he was about to pass out. "Who—who the hell were they?"
Elias reloaded his revolver. "People who don't want us finding that door."
Evelyn locked eyes with him. "Which means we're close."
She was right. Someone had killed Calloway to stop this investigation. Now they were coming after the rest of them.
Which meant one thing.
They had to find the door first.
Elias grabbed the blueprint from the desk. He studied the twisted hallways, the circled archway. The shape was familiar, but now—after the attack—he saw it with fresh eyes.
And then it clicked.
He turned to Evelyn. "I know where this is."
She frowned. "Where?"
Elias looked at the sketch again, his pulse quickening.
"It's beneath the city…
But before that—I need to meet with someone."