A bright light accompanied the footsteps, drawing closer.
"They're all hiding in their guild now, can you believe it? Supposed to be the big bad thieves in this city, and we've got them scared," said a male voice.
"Wouldn't you be? The Syndicate is ruthless," said another.
"All the more reason I'm glad to be on the winning side," said a female voice.
They drew closer, and he squinted at the bright light of their torch after so long in the darkness. Even through the blazing light, he made out four figures approaching. Three men, and a woman from what he could tell.
His heart pounded, and his hand rested on the hilt of his rapier.
The group approached the wall he'd been struggling with. He stayed absolutely still and peered at them from the shadows.
"Well? Come on," said the woman.
One of the men grumbled and walked over to where Connor was hiding. He stopped just a foot away.
Connor held his breath and waited.
Maybe he could kill them without them raising the alarm... but no matter how well he hid the bodies, somebody would notice an entire group going missing...
The man fumbled blindly with his hand on the shelf, just inches away from Connor's face. He grabbed hold of a small, cylindrical container and pushed it back.
The wall slid back and then up, revealing a secret passageway.
The man turned around and followed the rest of the group into the tunnel. The wall slid closed behind them.
Connor let out a relieved sigh and started breathing again.
If the one carrying the torch had walked up to him... he shook off the thought.
What might've been didn't matter.
He now knew how to open the secret door, and he'd remained undetected.
Should he turn back now, and meet with his friends? This had to be it right? But... maybe he could look a little further. The more they knew, the better.
Yes... just a little more.
He waited a few minutes to give the group time to head further down the tunnel. He certainly didn't want to bump into them.
When enough time had passed, he pushed the container back just as he'd seen the man do.
He gripped the hilt of his rapier, ready for anything as the wall slid back and up. But, it revealed only the same dark passageway as before.
He stepped inside.
The door slid shut behind him, and darkness engulfed him. It was so total, he couldn't see his hand in front of his face despite his heightened vision.
He sighed. Walking around with a light source was just asking to be found, but what choice did he have?
He reached into his bottomless bag, and his hand closed around a candle. He brought it out and pulled on his magic.
It resisted him as always, but he dragged it down. He focused on the wick and willed it to life. The wick glowed and a small flame sprouted.
The oppressive darkness gave way with just that small amount of light, and he continued forward down the tunnel.
He kept one hand on his rapier as he walked. There was no telling what lay in wait down here.
He listened for signs of anyone or anything else, but the tunnel was eerily silent.
YOU ARE READING
Unspeakable Secrets The Alchemist Series (A Dark Medieval Progression Fantasy)
FantasyThe only thing he can't do is have a peaceful life. Connor Varas is the nephew of a spymaster. He just learned that he will one day be able to bestow the strength of giants on anyone he pleases. One day he can create as much gold as he wants. One da...