Chapter 34 - Shadows in the Caldera
Before the iron lid could swing fully open, the high-frequency whistle of an engine broke through the thick stone walls of the lighthouse.
Julian sprang to his feet, drawing me behind him with a single swift motion. He peered through the slitted iron shutters overlooking the southern cliff trail.
"Two black SUVs," Julian said, his voice dropping into that chilling, lethal calm he had used against Beaufort’s men in Cap Ferrat. "They didn't come from the road. They were dropped on the southern beach by high-speed tenders. They’ve already breached the outer arbor."
Nikos cursed in rapid Greek, moving toward the rear alcove where a heavy iron door led into the subterranean foundation of the light tower. "The tunnel down to the water gate! Go! If Helena’s men catch you in this tower, you will die before the sun sets!"
"We aren't leaving you," I said firmly, snapping the iron box shut and clutching it to my chest.
"They have nothing to squeeze from an old one-armed dog," Nikos said, shoving Julian toward the tunnel arch. "Arthur paid for my loyalty sixty years ago, and I have kept my ledger clean! Julian Thorne, take Arthur's daughter and get to the water!"
Julian took the heavy box from my arms, slinging it over his shoulder in a canvas sack, and seized my hand. "Down the steps, Emily! Stay low!"
We descended into the pitch-black spiral of the volcanic tunnel just as the front timber doors of the lighthouse shattered inward under a breaching hammer. Gunshots echoed above us, sharp and deafening, followed by harsh commands shouted in Greek and English.
The tunnel plunged steeply through cold, wet volcanic rock, smelling of damp sulfur and ocean brine. Behind us, the heavy iron barrier door at the tunnel's entrance slammed shut, followed by the sound of Nikos dropping an iron bar into place from the other side.
"He locked it from the top," I gasped, tears burning my eyes as we scrambled down the slick stone stairs. "Julian, he sacrificed himself for us!"
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"Then we make sure his sacrifice buys our victory," Julian said through gritted teeth, catching me as my foot slipped on the wet moss. "Hold on to me. The water gate opens into the sea cave beneath the headland. The *Aegis* is anchored just beyond the reef."
We rounded the final bend of the cavern. Ahead lay daylight—and the roar of the Aegean crashing into the jaws of a subterranean sea cave.
