My Godfather's Secret Lover
The dust from the ancient stone wall settled onto my damp, sweat-sheened skin.
Every muscle in my body felt heavy, vibrating with the residual aftershocks of the frantic, possessive encounter that had just wrecked us against the bones of the dead. But as my eyes stayed locked on the weathered bas-relief—on the black crescent moon and the names Arturus and Viviana—the post-coital warmth evaporated, replaced by a skin-crawling dread.
Arthur stood rigid beside me. He had already buckled his tactical vest back over his chest, his matte-black rifle raised, but his hands were trembling. The silver light from his flashlight illuminated the ancient carvings, making the letters bleed shadows.