Chapter 13 - The Ghost in the Tunnels
The next day, Adrian and a team of trusted security specialists descended into the deep cellars of Sterling Manor. Armed with ground-penetrating radar, they scanned the heavy stone floors until they found the anomaly—a hollow void beneath the northern foundation wall.
Using industrial drills, they broke through the decades-old concrete. A cold, damp draft rushed out of the dark opening, smelling of stagnant seawater, rotten timber, and old secrets.
Adrian held a tactical flashlight, illuminating the smooth stone arches of the hidden tunnels. Catherine followed close behind, her hand gripping his sleeve.
"My father never told me about this," she whispered, her voice echoing in the darkness. "He used to tell me stories about pirates when I was a little girl. I thought they were just fairy tales."
"They weren't pirates, sweetie," Adrian said, his eyes scanning the ground. "They were monsters. And one of them is already here."
Adrian stopped his light. On the damp ground of the tunnel were fresh footprints, the heavy treading of tactical boots. A few feet ahead, a state-of-the-art electronic surveillance node was attached to the stone wall, its tiny red light blinking rhythmically.
The Lupos hadn't just threatened them; they had already breached the perimeter. They had been using the tunnels to spy on the manor from directly beneath their feet.
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Suddenly, a metallic click echoed from the shadows ahead.
"Get down!" Adrian roared, throwing his body over Catherine as the dark tunnel erupted in gunfire.
