Chapter 22. The Trap

  Leonel quickly glanced at his friends and nodded:

  — We need to make it look like an accident. If it's a spy, they must believe we didn’t notice anything.

  Ethan and Stan understood his plan.

  — Damn it, Stan, be careful! — Leonel exclaimed angrily, raising his voice on purpose. — You dropped the torch, now it's dark in here!

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  — Oh, sorry, — Stan muttered, trying to sound natural.

  — Find another torch, — Ethan said irritably.

  They started fumbling around the room, making noise as if they were really searching for light. A few moments later, the torch flared up again, casting a warm glow around the room.

  Leonel stole a glance at the corner where the footsteps had been heard earlier. No one was visible, but he could feel a presence.

  — Alright, let’s keep searching, — he said calmly, pretending nothing had happened.

  They returned to examining books and scrolls, acting engrossed. The spy needed to believe they hadn’t noticed them.

  Minutes passed.

  Then… a faint creak.

  Leonel, Stan, and Ethan didn’t react, but their hearts pounded. The spy believed the deception. They thought they were safe—and now they made a mistake.

  Leonel shot a quick look at Ethan. He nodded. It was time.

  — Now! — Leonel shouted.

  In one swift motion, Ethan threw an enchanted net toward the corner. A muffled thud followed—something had been caught.

  — You thought we wouldn’t notice? — Leonel asked coldly, stepping towa

  rd the figure trapped in the net.