THE ECHO OF A PROMISE BROKEN

Julian froze, his muscles locking as his hand instinctively shielded both children against the damp limestone wall. The vibration continued, a low, buzzing hum that resonated through the confined corridor.

Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

It wasn't Julian's phone; his had been dropped in the cathedral sanctuary during the blast. The sound was coming from an alcove three feet ahead, hidden inside a rusted drainage junction box.

Julian reached out blindly, his fingers brushing against cold brick until they touched plastic. A disposable burner phone, wrapped in clear plastic to keep out the damp, was glowing blue in the dark. The screen displayed a single, incoming call from an unlisted number.

""Don't answer it,"" Leo whispered, clinging tightly to Julian's trousers. ""It might be the people from the woods.""

Julian stared at the flashing screen. Nobody knew about this tunnel except him—and the one person he had shown it to when they were reckless teenagers dreaming of escaping their dynasties.

He flicked the green button and brought the receiver to his ear. He remained silent, letting only the slow cadence of his breath be heard.

""Julian.""

The voice wasn't his mother’s. It wasn't the hitman's. It was a woman’s voice—husky, worn ragged by pain and exhaustion, but undeniably hers.

""Elena?"" Julian choked out, the name tearing from his throat like dry glass. His knees nearly buckled. ""You're... Leo said they took you.""

""They did,"" she breathed, static hissing across the connection. He could hear the faint sound of harbor gulls and rolling ocean swell in the background. ""I managed to break the transmitter in the transport van, but I don't have much time. Did Leo reach you?""

""They're with me. Both of them,"" Julian said, his eyes burning with unshed tears as he stared at the boy in front of him. ""Elena, why didn't you come to me seven years ago? Why did you make me believe you took money to leave?""

""Because if you knew I was carrying your twins, Catherine would have killed them before they drew their first breath,"" Elena said, her voice trembling with raw grief. ""She threatened to poison you, Julian. She showed me the falsified clinical records—she was ready to institutionalize you, strip your title, and bury us all. I had to leave to keep you alive. But they found our safehouse three days ago. They aren’t just trying to silence me; they’re trying to eliminate every legal heir to the Vance bloodline.""

A sudden sound of breaking metal crackled over the line, followed by a man's shouted curse in the distance.

""Elena! Where are you?"" Julian demanded, panic surging through him.