“Wait,” I said, thinking there might be something more to it.

“Huh?”

Too late.

She pushed the book inward by mistake.

Click.

Both of us froze.

A deep clack echoed from inside the wall, followed by the sound of stone grinding against stone.

“I didn’t mean to,” she whispered, eyes wide.

“Do it again,” I said, suddenly certain.

“Are you sure?” she asked quietly, like a child afraid of being scolded.

I nodded.

She pressed the second book inward.

Clack.

The sound traveled deeper this time, followed by a low rumble beneath the floor.

My fur bristled.

“Last one,” I said.

She swallowed and pressed the third book.

For a heartbeat, nothing happened.

Then the bookshelf shifted.

“I think we can open it,” I said.

“Help me move it.”

With the combined strength of a small child and a house cat, we pushed.

The bookshelf scraped against the floor, stone screaming as it slid along deep marks carved into the marble. Dust spilled from the seams as something heavy moved behind it.

With a deep groan, the shelf slid aside completely.

Cold air poured out, thick with rot and rich iron.

The smell hit us like a blow.

She gagged, covering her mouth. I raised a paw over my nose, waving the air uselessly.

“Ew,” she cried. “That smells so bad.”

After a few moments, the stench lessened enough to breathe, though it never truly faded.

Beyond the shelf was a narrow, dimly lit hallway. The light barely reached the end, where darkness swallowed everything beyond it.

“What is that?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” I said.

Before moving, I leapt onto the nearby desk and found a small knife, meant for opening letters. It would have to do.

I held it out to her.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone,” she said softly.

“It’s not meant for hurting people,” I replied. “It’s for defense. To protect others.”

“Helping people?” she asked, eyes lighting up.

“Yes. Protecting people is helping them.”

She looked at the knife for a long moment, then nodded, gripping it gently.

I turned to her. “This is your chance to escape. I would prefer it if you did.”

She shook her head, determination settling in her eyes.

“If I can help people,” she said, “then now isn’t the time to run and hide.”

I exhaled.

“Alright,” I said. “Then let us go.”

End of Chapter 10