No one moved at first.The opening beneath the altar exhaled cold air like something ancient had finally been allowed to breathe.Rain still struck the chapel roof above, but down inside that dark slit beneath the stone, sound became different—thicker, distant, almost swallowed.Aurelia stared into the darkness.The voice had been unmistakable.Not because memory remained perfect.But because grief never forgets tone.Her lips parted slowly.“My mother is dead.”From the bell tower, Elias answered:“Yes.”Then from below, the same woman’s voice returned.“Dead things are often renamed before they disappear.”Lucian looked sharply at Adrian.“What did you keep down there?”Adrian did not answer immediately.His eyes remained on the opening.For the first time since arriving, even he looked cautious.That frightened Aurelia more than the gun had.Victor tightened his grip around Liora’s shoulder.“No one goes first alone.”Sabine stepped toward the altar.“I know this structure.”Marcus
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