Chapter 6 - The Darkest Night
Victoria’s strike was clumsy, hindered by the poison, but she was still an adult. The heavy brass poker smashed into the drywall inches from Julian’s head.
Julian ducked under her arm, sprinting for the door. But Victoria grabbed the back of his tuxedo jacket, yanking him backward with terrifying strength. She threw him to the floor, her knee pinning his chest down.
"Give me the envelope," she hissed, her breath smelling of wine and malice.
"No!" Julian screamed, kicking wildly.
Victoria raised the poker again. Suddenly, the door crashed open. Mrs. Gable charged into the room, wielding a heavy silver serving tray. She slammed it directly into the side of Victoria’s head.
Victoria shrieked, collapsing off Julian and rolling onto the Persian rug.
"Run, Julian!" Mrs. Gable yelled, panting heavily.
Julian scrambled to his feet, clutching the envelope. "I can't leave you!"
"I'll hold her off! Go to the cellar!" Mrs. Gable commanded. "The old bootlegger tunnel behind the wine racks! It leads to the cliffs! Go!"
Julian didn't hesitate. He sprinted out of the room, tears blurring his vision, the sounds of a brutal struggle echoing behind him.
He navigated the back stairwells, avoiding the gala guests completely. He reached the heavy oak door of the wine cellar, unlocked it, and plunged into the frigid, damp darkness below the manor.
He rushed past rows of thousand-dollar vintages, searching for the anomaly his father had once whispered about in stories. There. The massive oak rack holding the 1920 Bordeaux. Julian pulled the hidden lever disguised as a structural bolt. The heavy rack swung open with a grinding groan of stone.
He slipped into the damp, dirt-walled tunnel just as he heard the cellar door crash open above him.
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"Julian!" Victoria’s voice echoed down the stairs, dripping with bloodlust. "There's nowhere to hide!"
Julian pulled the rack shut, plunging himself into absolute darkness.
