CHAPTER 7: THE MONASTERY OF SHADOWS
CHAPTER 7: THE MONASTERY OF SHADOWS
Dense fog clung to the mountains as Ryder Burke's convoy climbed the winding road before dawn.
The abandoned monastery emerged from the mist like a forgotten fortress.
Stone walls.
Broken statues.
A weathered red gate.
And four towering pine trees.
Annie's drawing had been exact.
Ryder raised a clenched fist.
The convoy stopped.
His security chief whispered, "Thermal drones confirm twelve armed men."
"Twelve?"
Ryder's eyes narrowed.
"There were only four at the gala."
"They called for reinforcements."
Bridget stepped forward before anyone could stop her.
"My daughter is in there."
"You stay behind us," Ryder ordered.
"I'm going."
His expression hardened.
"If you run in there alone, Annie dies."
Bridget swallowed her fear and nodded.
Inside the monastery, Annie heard helicopter blades in the distance.
Not police.
Drones.
The old Japanese leader looked toward a monitor.
"They found us."
Several guards rushed to defensive positions.
The younger lieutenant drew his pistol.
"I told you we should have killed the girl."
The old man ignored him.
Instead, he looked at Annie.
"One last chance."
"Join us."
Annie slowly stood.
"My mother taught me something."
The old man waited.
"No secret is worth becoming a monster."
For the first time, disappointment crossed his face.
"So be it."
He nodded to the lieutenant.
The younger man raised his weapon.
The monastery windows exploded inward.
Flash-bangs detonated.
The building shook.
"Move!"
Ryder's security team stormed through three entrances simultaneously.
Gunfire echoed through the ancient halls.
Smoke filled the corridors.
The lieutenant fired wildly before disappearing into the chaos.
Ryder pushed through collapsing wooden doors.
"Find Annie!"
Bridget followed despite every order to stay back.
She heard her daughter's voice.
"Mom!"
It came from the chapel.
Bridget sprinted toward it.
A guard stepped into her path.
Before he could react, Bridget grabbed a fallen brass candleholder and swung with every ounce of strength she had.
The heavy metal crashed into his temple.
He collapsed.
She kept running.
Nothing would stop her now.
Annie saw the chapel doors burst open.
"Mom!"
Bridget dropped to her knees and wrapped her daughter in both arms.
"I've got you."
"I knew you'd come."
Tears streamed down Bridget's face.
"I will always come."
Behind them, Ryder confronted the elderly mastermind.
The old man calmly folded his hands.
"You've already lost."
Ryder aimed his pistol.
"It's over."
The old man smiled.
"No."
He pressed a hidden switch beneath the altar.
A deafening explosion rocked the monastery.
The ancient ceiling cracked.
Massive stone beams began crashing down.
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"They rigged the building!" someone shouted.
"Everybody out!"
