"Our men found blood on the stone near the lower access."
"Adult or child?"
"Not enough to know."
"That isn't the answer I prefer."
"No, Your Excellency." He looked toward the building. "The small tracks ended near the service door. We found signs of someone being dragged."
My father's expression hardened. Abi's violet eyes narrowed. I looked at the sealed front doors.
"Of course. They wanted us to choose the emotional route. Follow the child's tracks. Enter through the service door. Descend where the blood led." A path written in concern. How manipulative. "We're not using the service entrance," I said.
Arthur's gaze shifted to me. "No?"
"No."
"The front is warded."
"Good."
"Good?"
"If they expect us through the side, the front is probably designed to repel investigators, not complete the ritual."
Abi smiled faintly. "And if you're wrong?"
"Then we'll be offended from the correct direction."
