Page 113 of The Light Within

“It’s shut,” Julien informed him.

“Of course it’s shut. It’s past midnight!” Malik jumped out, slamming his door.

Julien twisted in the driver’s seat. “Do we take our leave and run now? I’m sorry, Elliot, I know you two have your little thing going on, but I make a habit of not trusting Americans. I don’t fancy murdering him if he’s led us to some sort of underground torture dungeon.”

“Yes, I’m sure there are whips and chains waiting for us in between the packets of crisps,” Darcy deadpanned, before opening her door. “Come on.”

Leading the way, Malik took them around the back of the shop, revealing a narrow alleyway cluttered with discarded crates. Stale dampness clung to the air. The shadows tucked a heavy metal door into the brickwork, nearly rendering it invisible. The door had no discernible handle.

Malik paused briefly, glancing back at them with a look that offered no reassurance, before pulling out a small, sleek device from his pocket. Its subtle blue glow alluded to motetech in play. He waved it in front of the door, and with a soft, mechanical click, it swung open.

“Follow me,” Malik said, slipping into the darkness.

Julien hesitated, his gaze shifting to Elliot, who nodded firmly before stepping through the doorway. The others followed, with Julien bringing up the rear, feeling the weight of each step as they descended a narrow flight of stairs. The further they went, the darker and cooler it became, the faint hum of hidden mechanisms filling the silence.

Malik moved confidently, leading them down a series of turns that seemed more labyrinthine with each corner.

Each step frayed Julien’s wrought nerves. This frustrated him. There was no logical reason to be growing more and more tense. This nut job was probably just going to lead them to a dead end, then laugh at them. The on-the-edge feeling was very likely a continued response to their Paris trauma. Yet knowing that didn’t uncoil the tension in his gut or silence the alarm bells ringing in his ears.

“Come on,” Cinn hissed, reaching back to grab Julien’s arm, as he’d started to lag behind the group.

But he could see another door, this one far more imposing, with a panel beside it.

He knew there wassomethingbehind it.

Julien had no energy for any moresomethings.

None,nada.

He allowed Cinn to drag him along as Malik placed his palm on the panel. After a brief pause, the door slid open with a quiet hiss, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond. The atmosphere inside was charged, the air buzzing.

Julien’s heart pounded in his chest. He was too tired for this next goose chase. He should have waited in the car.

“We’re almost there,” Malik tossed over his shoulder, his voice low. “This is the last door.”

Malik must’ve led them about three floors underground, all in all. Your average grocery shop basement, this was not.

“Are you okay?” Cinn murmured into Julien’s ear, having possibly realised that no, Julien was, in fact, not okay. He hadn’t been okay in a long time. A very long time.

Unable to muster the energy to reply, Julien watched as Malik knelt down to open a wooden trapdoor, of all things. What now? Were they descending into the nine circles of Hell?

Malik sank down into the darkness first, followed by Elliot. Darcy finally had the good sense to look afraid—glancing nervously down at the ladder—so Julien pushed his way past her to go next.

As he climbed down the cold metal rungs of the ladder, the sound of machines whirring softly reached his ears, growing louder the further he descended. A faint blue light pulsed rhythmically from below, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Julien jumped the last two rungs to land on a concrete floor. The room was empty, except for a lone figure seated in the centre.

The chair slowly swivelled around.

He locked eyes with its occupant.

Now he was looking at her, Julien wasn’t sure who else he would possibly have expected Malik to lead them to.

But what hewasn’texpecting were the words that tumbled effortlessly out of Eleanor’s lips.

“Welcome to the Arcane Purifier’s headquarters.”

twenty-six

---