"No."
He looked disappointed.
"Open it carefully," I said. "I want the records intact. Don't let anything explode for fun."
"Fine. Fine."
Violet light seeped into the runes. The panel shivered followed by a click, then another, then a sound like old gears creaking and scraping against each other.
The hidden door opened. A narrow stairway led downward.
Great. Another basement.
At this point, I should begin charging entry fees for every suspicious underground chamber I discovered.
The air below smelled of incense, cold stone, old blood, and something sweet enough to be sickening.
Abi's face hardened. I glanced at the priest who started to smile weakly.
"You're too late," he whispered with sickening joy.
I kicked him in the stomach. Gently. By my standards, of course.
He folded over with a wheeze.
"Do not be so dramatic," I said. "It offends me."
Abi laughed once, sharp and delighted.
