Chapter 9: Shadows in the Driveway
Before Viktor could speak, the soft amber glow of the kitchen window flickered and died as the overhead lights surged, dimmed, and then went completely dark. The sudden plunge into shadow was accompanied by the harsh crunch of heavy tires rolling over the gravel outside, followed by the heavy thud of car doors slamming shut in rapid succession.
Sarah gasped, dropping her apron and rushing to the front window to peer through the rain-streaked glass. Her face drained of all color in the moonlight filtering through the trees. "Black sedans," she whispered, her voice shaking violently. "Two of them. They just blocked the driveway."
My blood ran cold. Viktor was on his feet in an instant, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. All the vulnerability he had shown a moment ago vanished, replaced instantly by the cold, calculated vigilance of a hunted boss. He didn't panic; his hand slipped inside his suit jacket, checking the weight of the firearm tucked against his ribs.
"They tracked the toll receipts," Viktor said, his voice dropping into a dangerous, low register. "I underestimated how quickly my own council would move once I left the estate."
"Are they here for Leo?" I asked, panic clawing at my throat as I rushed to the table and scooped my son up into my arms, burying his face against my shoulder so he wouldn't see the terror in my eyes.
"They're here for all of us," Viktor replied, stepping toward the back door that led out to the overgrown garden and the dark tree line beyond. He grabbed Sarah by the arm, pulling her away from the front window. "Mrs. Miller, do you have a storm cellar or a back way out of this valley?"
"The root cellar," Sarah stammered, pointing frantically toward the pantry door in the corner of the kitchen. "There's a hatch under the floorboards behind the canned goods. It leads out to the old barn."
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"Move," Viktor commanded, drawing his weapon as the heavy sound of boots echoed up the wooden front steps of the farmhouse. A loud, splintering crash shook the front door as someone kicked it open, shattering the deadbolt with brutal efficiency.
"Viktor!" a harsh voice shouted from the dark hallway, cutting through the hum of the refrigerator. "We know you're in here! Come out and save yourself the bloodbath!"
