The Luna’s Choice by Kat Silver

Chapter 71: Theo

Ayla and I were both feeling refreshed this morning. It had been too long since I had seen her feeling so determined and optimistic. While it made my life easier, it did make it harder to convince her to wait upstairs while we worked to open the vault. I think it was Dad’s insistence that finally convinced her it was for the best.

The whole process of getting into the thing had been a pain. The stone wall was a lot thicker than we anticipated, and we couldn’t get a torch powerful enough to cut through the heavy metal in one go in such a small space, let alone two stories underground. But we had some tools that were at least making progress.

By the time started to feel like we were through, we were all hot and sweaty and cranky. I kept telling myself that with our luck, this would only lead to some empty room and it was all for nothing. But my gut kept telling me something different. I needed to keep going. The closer we got, the stronger my determination got.

The others were taking a break when I felt the door shift. I stopped cutting and stood back. I pressed against the sturdy metal and it began to gave way.

“Hey, guys,” I called to the others, “I think we’re in.”

Dad and Kingston came back first.

“You sure?” Kingston asked.

“I may need another good shoulder, but yeah,” I replied, “it’s ready. Come help me.”

Dad handed us both masks. Kingston and I braced ourselves and, on the count of three, threw our weight against the door. It waivered but didn’t fall. It took two more good shoves before is came crashing down in a cloud of dust and debris. We rushed back, keeping our distance while the air cleared and we made sure the ceiling wouldn’t collapse on us.

steps toward the new opening. I didn’t know why, but my heart was racing. For some reason, I felt like I was meant to be there. My feet moved on their own as I made my was to the opening. It was dark inside. The lights from the corridor didn’t seem to penetrate more than a foot inside. It should have been an eerie sight, but it wasn’t. I pulled the small flashlight from my back pocket, clicked in on, and

degrees cooler than the floor above us but the air felt dry. I shined the light around, looking for anything other than stone walls. I

more light,” I heard Dad

flood

I took a few more steps closer. I could make out the markings etched into the stone. This was nicer, better–crafted stone, possibly marble. I brushed the thick layer of dust from the surface and could make out

sarcophagus,”

father reacted.

said. “It’s our founding

Dad said, coming up beside me. “She’s

not,” I replied.

entrance. We could now see that the tomb was covered in intricate carvings. I knew there had to be some kind of meaning to them! I tugged my shirt over my head and started

Dad began, “does any of this mean

this is familiar. Come see

so Kingston was holding a flashlight up to the markings. They were a series of images.

creation myth,”

the end,” he replied,

we all knew except that last section. That seemed to add an ending I hadn’t

were