It was the central nerve centre where every trap was triggered, and every defensive formation was calibrated. It was also the fortress's only true vulnerability—the place where the weak spots of the structural enchantments were anchored.
"Do you know what this is?" Becky asked, her voice trembling with a mix of awe and burgeoning dread. She looked from the looming walls to William, her brow furrowed in puzzlement.
Lara stepped forward, her chin lifted with unshakeable confidence. "There is nothing our William doesn't know," she said, her tone ringing with pride. "He must have seen it somewhere in his studies. I bet he knows every secret, every 'in' and every 'out' of this thing."
"I wouldn't dream of betting against that," Becky admitted, her eyes returning to the fortress. She had seen William pull miracles from thin air too many times to doubt Lara's assessment.
William, however, didn't share their outward bravado. A bitter, weary smile touched his lips.
