Chapter 14 - The Vault of Secrets
We landed in Geneva under the cover of a freezing, torrential downpour. Julian’s men whisked us into a waiting armored Mercedes, navigating the pristine, historic streets until we arrived at the massive, imposing stone facade of the Banque Privée de Genève.
The interior of the bank felt more like a cathedral than a financial institution. Marble floors, towering columns, and an atmosphere of absolute, suffocating silence. The bank manager, an older man with silver hair and an impeccable suit, greeted us immediately.
"Madame Caldwell," the manager said smoothly, using my married name. "We have been expecting you. Monsieur Vance."
"My client wishes to access vault 704," Julian said, his hand resting menacingly on the small of my back, a silent threat ensuring my compliance.
"Of course. Right this way."
We were led to a heavily armored elevator that descended deep into the subterranean bedrock of the city. When the elevator doors opened, we stepped into a cavernous hallway lined with thousands of identical steel deposit boxes.
The manager stopped in front of a heavy, reinforced steel door separating us from the high-security sector.
"The biometric scanner, please," the manager gestured to a small, glowing panel on the wall. "Only the account holder may proceed into the final chamber."
Julian leaned down, his breath hot against my ear. "Do exactly as we discussed. Do not make me hurt you in such a beautiful country."
I stepped up to the scanner. I inserted the vintage silver key into the physical slot. The machine hummed, and a green light illuminated my face.
"State your passphrase," an automated, computerized voice requested.
I looked back at Julian. He was watching me with absolute, arrogant confidence. I turned back to the microphone, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it echoing in my ears.
I leaned in close to the microphone.
"Icarus," I whispered clearly.
The heavy steel door hissed, the locking mechanisms disengaging with a loud, satisfying clack. But instantly, the ambient white lights in the hallway shifted to a harsh, pulsating crimson.
May you like
Julian’s arrogant smile vanished instantly. "What did you do?" he roared.
"I burned your wings, Julian," I said, shoving the heavy steel door open and darting inside the secure vault, slamming the door shut behind me just as Julian lunged forward.
