Chapter 2: The Locked Hallway
The second BANG came from beneath the floor.
Harder.
Closer.
The candle flames jumped.
Someone gasped.
Victoria reached for the hallway door.
Luca moved first.
“Don’t.””
She stopped.
For the first time that evening, Victoria looked genuinely afraid.
Not angry.
Not offended.
Afraid.
Luca stared at her.
“What is downstairs?””
“Nothing.””
The answer came instantly.
Luca took one step forward.
“Then why are you running?””
“I’m not running.””
“You’re backing toward the exit.””
Victoria’s breathing quickened.
“I need air.””
“No.””
Luca’s voice was quiet.
“You need to explain.””
Behind them, the guests exchanged frightened glances.
Elena stood near the dining room entrance, still clutching the empty serving cloth against her chest.
Luca looked at her.
“Everyone stays here.””
A guest named Marcus rose from his chair.
“Luca, maybe we should call security.””
Luca shook his head.
“Call nobody.””
Victoria stared at him.
“Why?””
“Because I want to know why my fiancée has a key to a room nobody is supposed to enter.””
Victoria’s lips tightened.
“You’re accusing me because of a servant?””
Elena flinched.
Luca turned toward Victoria.
“You put your hands on her.””
“She disrespected me.””
“You bruised her.””
“She fell.””
“Twice?””
Victoria went silent.
Luca walked toward the corridor.
The mansion suddenly seemed enormous.
The polished hallway stretched beneath dim wall sconces, its dark wood panels reflecting fragments of candlelight from the dining room.
At the far end was an old staircase leading downward.
Luca had rarely used it.
His father had forbidden everyone from entering the lower level years ago.
After his father disappeared, Luca had kept the rule.
Not because he believed the old warnings.
Because some parts of the house were easier left untouched.
He reached the staircase.
Elena followed.
“Stay back,” he said.
She stopped.
“Mr. Luca…”
He turned.
Her bruised eye was glistening.
“What?””
“There’s something you need to know.””
Victoria appeared behind them.
“Elena, enough.””
Luca looked over his shoulder.
“Let her speak.””
Elena's fingers tightened around her apron.
“She made me clean down there three nights ago.””
Victoria’s face changed.
Luca stared at her.
“You told me the basement was sealed.””
“It is.””
Elena shook her head.
“No.””
Victoria snapped, “You don't know what you're talking about.””
“I saw the door.””
Luca turned back to Elena.
“What door?””
“The one at the end of the hall.””
His stomach tightened.
“My father’s room?””
Elena nodded.
“He was knocking.””
Victoria whispered, “Stop.””
Everyone heard it.
The word came from Victoria like a plea.
Luca slowly looked at her.
“What did you say?””
Victoria swallowed.
“I said stop lying.””
Elena shook her head.
“I heard him.””
Luca stepped down one stair.
Then another.
The wood creaked beneath his shoes.
Behind him, Victoria said, “Luca, please.””
He stopped.
“Please what?””
Victoria didn't answer.
He turned.
She stood beneath the chandelier, red satin gown catching the light, diamond necklace resting against her throat.
She looked beautiful.
Almost painfully so.
But her hands were shaking.
Luca studied her.
“You knew.””
“I didn't.””
“You knew someone was down there.””
“No.””
“You knew about the room.””
“No.””
“You had the key.””
Victoria’s eyes filled with tears.
“I found it.””
“Where?””
She hesitated.
“Luca…”
“Where?””
“In your father’s study.””
Luca's expression hardened.
“That key hasn't been in his study for fifteen years.””
Victoria went completely still.
Elena whispered, “She lied.””
Victoria turned toward her.
“Be quiet.””
Luca stepped back into the dining room.
“Why were you downstairs?””
Victoria's eyes darted toward the guests.
“Can we do this privately?””
“No.””
“Luca.””
“No.””
The word echoed through the hallway.
He walked toward her.
“What did you lock down there?””
Victoria shook her head.
“I didn't lock anyone anywhere.””
A third BANG shook the floor.
This time, everyone heard something beneath it.
Three slow knocks.
*Knock.*
*Knock.*
*Knock.*
One guest covered her mouth.
Elena began crying silently.
Luca looked at the floor.
Then at Victoria.
“That's not the pipes.””
Victoria whispered, “Luca…”
“What?””
“I was trying to protect you.””
He stared at her.
“From what?””
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Then, from somewhere beneath the mansion, a muffled male voice rose through the floor.
Luca couldn't make out the words.
But Elena could.
She suddenly grabbed his sleeve.
“He knows you're here.””
Luca looked down at her hand.
“What did he say?””
May you like
Elena stared toward the basement.
“He said your name.””
