The deeper sections of the fortress felt different. The oppressive architecture gave way to corridors that were almost normal, if you ignored the way shadows seemed to move independently of any light source. Noah and Lucas moved through the dimly lit passages, their footsteps echoing off walls that absorbed sound in unnatural ways.
"I know all of this makes no sense to —" Lucas was about to say before getting cut off.
"You don't have to explain it again," Noah said, cutting off Lucas before he could launch into another justification for their deviation from the rescue mission. "I understand what's at stake. The Eighth has been systematically hunting down the descendants of the original seven families. Your father, the others in those draining chambers—they're not just prisoners, they're trophies."
Lucas nodded, electricity crackling softly around his clenched fists. "He's been playing with us. Taking people when he wants, where he wants. Making us react instead of act."
