Page 446 of Hidden Depths

A bell sounded deep beneath the mountain.

EAST CONFIRMED.

The passage opened into a cavern.

An enormous metal gate stood across the far wall.

Unlike the first gate, this one had never opened.

Black volcanic rock covered its edges.

Five empty circles formed an arch across its surface.

Two now glowed.

North.

East.

Ross stood on a narrow ledge above the water.

Blood covered his side.

His pistol remained steady.

Behind him, an iron box had been pulled halfway from a cavity in the rock.

Elias Ross’s records.

And beside it lay human bones.

Storm stopped.

“Elias.”

Ross smiled.

“My father waited a long time for James to show up. I knew what was in his plans.

“He tried to stop you.”

“He was weak.”

“He was your father.”

“He chose James over his own son.”

“No. He chose what was right.”

Ross’s eyes became empty.

“You sound like your grandfather.”

“Good.”

“He died believing he had protected you.”

“He did.”