Chapter 2 - Plunged Into Darkness
Screams of panic filled the pitch-black ballroom.
Guests shoved each other as they scrambled blindly toward the exits.
Anna immediately dropped to the floor.
She wrapped her arms tightly around Lily to protect her from the stampede.
"Stay quiet, baby," Anna whispered into her daughter's hair.
The heavy sound of combat boots echoed through the dark room.
Flashlight beams frantically sliced through the blackness.
"Secure the perimeter!" a security guard yelled over the chaos.
"Don't let anyone out of this room!"
The backup generator finally kicked in with a low hum.
Flickering emergency lights cast an eerie red glow over the terrified crowd.
Anna blinked against the harsh light.
She looked toward the spot where Marcus had been pinned down.
The security guards were lying unconscious on the floor.
Marcus was completely gone.
Mr. Moreto handed Ethan to his personal bodyguard.
His face was twisted into a mask of pure fury.
"Lock down the entire estate," Mr. Moreto commanded.
"Nobody leaves until I find that traitor."
He turned his sharp gaze toward the corner of the room.
He locked eyes with Anna.
"Bring the maid and the child to my study," he ordered.
Two massive guards immediately marched toward Anna.
She grabbed Lily's hand and pulled her close.
"We didn't do anything wrong," Anna pleaded.
The guards ignored her and escorted them forcefully down the long hallway.
They entered a massive office lined with expensive books.
Mr. Moreto walked in a moment later and slammed the heavy door shut.
He poured himself a glass of whiskey with a shaking hand.
He turned to face them.
"How did your daughter know about the poison?" he demanded.
Anna swallowed hard.
"She is just a child, sir," Anna replied softly.
"Children notice things that adults ignore."
Mr. Moreto slammed his glass down on the desk.
The loud crash made Lily flinch.
"Do not lie to me in my own house," he warned.
"Nobody could have seen Marcus slip that vial into the frosting."
Lily peeked out from behind her mother's apron.
She pointed a tiny finger at the large air vent near the ceiling.
"The bad man talked inside the shiny box," Lily said in a small voice.
Mr. Moreto stared at the vent in disbelief.
His face went frighteningly pale.
The mansion's secure communication lines ran right through those vents.
Before he could speak, his radio crackled to life.
"Sir, we found Marcus in the west wing," a voice reported.
"Bring him to me alive," Mr. Moreto snapped into the radio.
There was a long pause on the other end.
May you like
"We can't do that, sir," the guard replied nervously.
"Someone just slit his throat."
