“That’s not water.” Nora didn’t argue. She waited until his breathing steadied before moving again. They climbed more slowly after that, deliberately skirting the stained sections of rock. Chalk washed away faster near the seep, forcing them to reapply constantly, hands shaking slightly from the effort of staying controlled. Above them, the door loomed closer.
The earlier sounds replayed in Ethan’s head—not the wood this time, but the murmur, the fall, the unmistakable sound of pain. Someone had been inside. Someone close enough that the noise carried straight through the mountain. “If they’re hurt,” Nora said quietly, “we can’t waste time.” Ethan nodded. Whatever this place was, it didn’t matter right now.