"And if someone tried to force their way through without authorization?" Julian asked.
"They would trigger defensive mechanism. Nothing lethal—I'm not trying to kill intruders—but enough to incapacitate them and alert me."
Julian nodded. Mara had clearly invested significant resources and planning into this operation.
They navigated several more turns, passed through two more concealed doorways, and they finally began descending a stairs.
"We're almost out," Mara said. "This exit leads to a storage room on the ground floor, which connects to the kitchens. That's where we'll find the mother."
"What's her name?" Julian asked.
"Helena," Mara replied. "Helena Greaves. Widow of the drunk who got them all into debt. She has been working in my kitchens for almost a year now, trying to pay off what her husband owed."
