A Trap Set in Silence

The moment Lucian's voice echoed through the heavy vault door, the air in the room shifted and Selene's pulse raced, her fingers tightening around the small detonator Eve had just placed in her hand. The weight of it was almost suffocating, a reminder that she held the power to destroy everything inside this room including the very proof of Lucian's lies. Eve's expression remained unreadable, but Selene could see the sharp focus in her eyes, the careful calculation of their next move because they couldn't afford a misstep, not now. Lucian knocked lightly again, almost mockingly patient. 'I know you're in there." His tone was smooth, and controlled, but beneath it, there was darkness. Selene exhaled slowly, steadying her nerves, Lucian wasn't going to wait forever, he already knew what they had done but the real question was, how much did he know? Eve moved first, stepping toward the shelves, and scanning the files before grabbing a handful and tucking them into the inside of her coat. 'We don't have much time," she whispered. Selene's fingers curled around the detonator. 'If we get caught, he'll take everything." Eve didn't hesitate. 'Then don't get caught." Lucian sighed outside. 'Are you really going to make me come in?" Selene forced herself to breathe evenly, they had two choices; walk out and face Lucian head-on, or find another way out a way he wouldn't expect. She turned toward Eve. 'Is there another exit?"Eve's jaw clenched. 'There's a maintenance tunnel behind the last shelf, but it's only used for emergencies."Selene's chest tightened. 'I think this qualifies." Lucian's voice grew quieter, more dangerous. 'Thirty seconds, Selene." Selene's breath hitched, he was counting down before she reached for the old wooden shelf, running her fingers along the edge before pressing against the back panel, there was a soft click, and the panel shifted slightly. Selene moved quickly, slipping through the narrow opening into the dark space beyond and Eve followed, carefully pulling the panel back into place behind them they had few seconds left before Lucian entered the vault. The tunnel was narrow and cold, the stone walls were rough against Selene's palms as they moved deeper inside, and the passage smelled of damp earth as if it had been sealed off for years. Eve led the way, her movements precise, as if she had memorized every twist and turn while Selene followed closely, her mind racing; Lucian wouldn't just let them disappear, maybe he was already ahead of them then a sudden crash echoed from behind them. Lucian had entered the vault. Selene's heart pounded as his voice was sharp this time, cutting through the silence like a blade. 'Where are they?" A guard responded quickly. 'There's no sign of them." Lucian exhaled slowly. 'Find them." Selene and Eve kept moving, their footsteps silent but swift as the tunnel stretched further than she had expected, but there was no way of knowing where it led. Eve glanced back at her. 'Once we get outside, we're vulnerable." Selene clenched her jaw. 'Then we make it count." They reached a set of rusted metal stairs leading upward, Eve took them first, her movements swift but cautious then Selene followed, gripping the railing as they ascended toward what she hoped was freedom. The door at the top was old, the wood splintering at the edges as Eve pressed her ear against it, listening, then, carefully, she turned the handle and the door opened with a soft creak, revealing a darkened hallway. Selene exhaled sharply, they were still inside the estate but in a section she didn't recognize. Eve pulled the door shut behind them. 'We need to move fast."Selene nodded, her grip tightening around the files in her coat, they had what they needed. Now, they just had to survive long enough to use it. A sudden voice broke the silence. 'You really thought you could hide?" Selene froze as she saw Lucian standing at the end of the hallway, his silhouette framed by the dim light behind him, his posture was calm, almost lazy, but his eyes burned with something lethal. Selene's pulse thundered, and Eve's fingers twitched slightly, but she remained still. Lucian tilted his head, his lips curving into a slow smirk. 'You always were predictable."Selene's hands clenched into fists. 'Then why didn't you stop me?" Lucian chuckled softly. 'Because I wanted to see how far you'd get." Selene's stomach twisted. He had let them go this far on purpose. Lucian exhaled, stepping closer. 'And now that I have my answer…" His gaze flickered to Eve. 'Tell me, which one of you do I deal with first?"Selene's breath caught. Eve's posture remained rigid, but Selene could feel the tension radiating from her. Lucian's smirk faded slightly, his voice dropping lower. 'You've been very busy, Selene." But Selene forced herself to stay still, to not let him see the storm raging inside her. 'So have you." Lucian arched his brow. 'Have I?" Selene lifted her chin. 'You've spent so much time trying to keep me here, trying to keep me in check." Her fingers curled slightly. 'But you never stop to consider what happens when you lose control." Lucian's jaw tightened just barely. Selene inhaled slowly, he didn't like that. Eve took a slow step forward, her voice level. 'We're leaving, Lucian." Lucian exhaled softly. 'Are you?" But Eve didn't respond, Lucian's smirk returned, but this time, there was something darker behind it then, before Selene could react, he moved and in a flash, he was in front of them, too fast and precise. Selene barely had time to register the shift before Eve was thrown against the wall with a sharp gasp escaping her lips as she hit the stone hard, her body crumpling slightly from the force. Selene's stomach dropped as Lucian turned toward her, his expression completely unreadable. 'Your mistake," he murmured, 'was thinking I'd ever let you go." Selene's breath shook. Lucian tilted his head slightly. 'Now, what am I going to do with you?" Selene's fingers tightened around the detonator. She still had a choice and she wasn't about to let him win.