Gemotions

The cold stone of the hidden passage sent a shiver down Daniel's spine, but it was a different kind of shiver than he'd anticipated. He'd always considered himself a practical man, focused on logic and reason. But now, discovering this secret chamber, concealed behind a false wall in the master bedroom, stirred something unfamiliar within him.

He lit a small, battery-powered lantern, its beam dancing across the rough-hewn walls. The air was still and heavy, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and something metallic. His hands tightened into fists. He had to know everything.

His jeans felt suddenly restrictive. He traced the lines of a fresco that had been painted on the wall with the back of his hand, a strange heat spreading throughout his body. The world around him seemed to fade away, leaving only the dark and enticing space.