Chapter 20 - THE EYES IN THE DARK|
The shrill ring of the dark telephone echoed through the quiet study like a alarm bell.
Damon stared at the device for three long seconds before reaching out his hand and pressing the speaker button.
"Speak," Damon commanded cold.
Static crackled across the line, followed by the heavy sound of wind and rain blowing through an open window.
"Hello, Damon," a soft, raspy woman's voice whispered through the speaker.
The voice sent an immediate shockwave through the room. It was older, weaker, but undeniably the voice of Elena Vance.
"Elena?" Damon gasped, stepping closer to the phone. "Where are you?!"
"Don't look for me at the docks, Damon," the voice whimpered softly over the static. "They know about Rosa. They know about the little girl. They let me write the letter so you would lower your guard..."
"Who let you write it?!" Damon demanded, his fists clenching tight. "Elena, speak to me!"
"He's standing right outside your gate, Damon..." the voice wept. "He's watching the house..."
The phone line went dead with a harsh dial tone.
Damon slammed his hand onto the desk, turning instantly toward the window overlooking the estate's main courtyard.
Outside, the thin rain had begun to fall once more over the pale gravel driveway.
Standing right near the shadow of the carriage house—just beyond the reach of the security lights—was a tall figure wrapped in a long black coat.
The figure didn't run. He didn't raise a weapon.
He simply stood in the rain, looking up at the study window, holding a heavy silver pocket watch that glinted brightly under the pale moonlight.
Beside Damon, Rosa pressed her hand against the glass, her breath fogging the window as she stared down at the stranger in horror.
Down in the courtyard, Zeus let out a sudden, strange whine—not a bark of aggression, but a low sound of recognition.
Damon reached into his drawer, pulling his firearm, his gray eyes fixed on the figure outside.
May you like
"Lev," Damon ordered into his radio, his voice ice cold. "Lock the gates. Nobody leaves this estate tonight."
The figure in the rain slowly raised one gloved hand, pointing a single finger not at Damon, but directly at the window where Rosa stood.
