THE HIDDEN CROWN

Chapter 90

The narrow staircase spiraled down into the heart of the catacombs, each step taking them deeper into the ancient underworld beneath the city. The walls, slick with moisture, seemed to close in around them, the only light coming from the faint, eerie glow of the amulet Victor clutched tightly. The air was thick with the weight of centuries, a heavy, oppressive silence that pressed down on them as they descended.

Elena’s breath came in shallow gasps as she tried to push away the overwhelming sense of dread. "Victor, how much farther does this go?" Her voice echoed faintly in the dimness.

Victor’s eyes stayed fixed ahead, his jaw clenched. "Not much farther," he said, though the truth was he wasn’t entirely sure. He had never ventured this deep before. These tunnels were ancient, older than the city itself, and whatever lay at the bottom had been sealed off for a reason.

Lucian, ever the pragmatist, cast a wary glance over his shoulder. "The tremors are getting stronger," he muttered, h