Page 15 of King’s Reckoning (Blind Jacks MC #5)

The ancient tunnels stretched before them as Rowan led their small group deeper underground. Historical markings dotted the walls, their intricate carvings remarkably preserved despite the centuries. Behind her, Reed and King carried the artifacts while Barbara documented everything with her monitoring equipment.

"These readings are fascinating,"

Barbara whispered, her instruments casting shadows in the dim light.

"The mineral composition of these walls is unlike anything I've seen before. Almost like they were deliberately selected for preservation properties."

"They probably were,"

Rowan said quietly. She traced a finger along one of the carvings.

"Mom didn't just find these tunnels. She studied them extensively. Figured out how they were designed to protect what was hidden here."

"Smart woman,"

King muttered. His voice echoed in the confined space.

"Always thinking ten steps ahead."

"Speaking of thinking ahead,"

Reed cut in.

"we need to consider our next move. Darkness's betrayal changes everything. The Devils and Blackwood's people know all our protocols, all our fallback positions."

"Not all of them,"

Rowan corrected. She gestured to the markings that Elena had carefully documented.

"Mom kept some secrets even from her closest allies. These deeper tunnels are just the start."

Before anyone could respond, Barbara's phone buzzed with a secure message from one of her academic contacts. Her sharp intake of breath made them all pause.

"What is it?"

King demanded.

"Multiple MC chapters are gathering,"

Barbara reported grimly.

"Not just Devils. Kings Chosen, Iron Fists, Satan's Riders...they're all mobilizing. Converging on our territory from different directions."

"Darkness's work,"

Reed said tersely.

"He's been laying the groundwork for this, turning other chapters against us. Probably convinced them we're hoarding something valuable."

"We are,"

Rowan pointed out. She glanced at the artifacts they carried.

"The question is, how much did he tell them about what's really hidden here? About the significance of it all?"

"Enough to make them dangerous,"

King said.

"But probably not the whole truth. That kind of knowledge...it changes people's priorities. Makes them unpredictable."

As if in response, the tunnel ahead split into multiple branches. Rowan studied the markings, recognizing patterns from her mother's journal.

"This way,"

she said with certainty.

"There's something Mom wanted us to find."

The tunnel opened into a larger chamber, its walls covered in more elaborate markings arranged in complex patterns. At the center stood a stone table, its surface carved with imagery that Rowan recognized from Elena's notes.

"More artifacts?"

Reed asked, remaining vigilant as he scanned the space.

"No,"

Rowan breathed.

"Something else. Something older."

She approached the table slowly, examining the carvings. The designs matched symbols from all the artifacts they'd recovered, but arranged in a way that suggested a larger narrative.

"Careful,"

King warned. But he made no move to stop her, recognizing something in her expression that reminded him painfully of Elena.

Rowan's hand hovered over the table's surface, then she carefully traced the central design. It was a map—a detailed rendering of the tunnel system and the territory above it, showing connections she hadn't previously understood.

"It's a historical record,"

she said, excitement building as pieces fell into place.

"Showing the original settlements, how they were connected, who controlled which areas."

Images formed in her mind—not supernatural visions but connections her trained mind made as she studied the carvings. She saw how the original settlers had discovered these tunnels, how the first MCs had formed to protect the territory, how certain families had been entrusted with keeping these records intact.

When she looked up, she found Reed supporting her gently, concern evident in his expression. King hovered nearby, watching carefully.

"I understand now,"

she said, her voice steady with newfound clarity.

"The founding families, the creation of the MCs...it wasn't random. These organizations were formed specifically to protect historical evidence that certain interests wanted buried."

"The Devils too?"

Reed asked quietly.

Rowan nodded.

"Different branches of the same initiative. All connected to these historical artifacts, but protecting different pieces of the puzzle. That's why Mom..."

She trailed off as new understanding hit her.

"That's why she was studying the founding families. Trying to understand how they all fit together."

"Before others could use that knowledge for their own ends,"

King finished. His expression was haunted.

"Like they're trying to do now."

Barbara's phone buzzed again, more urgent this time.

"Multiple chapters have crossed our territory lines,"

she reported.

"They're coordinating their movements, sharing intel. This isn't just a territorial dispute anymore. They're hunting for something specific."

"Us,"

Rowan said simply.

"They want the artifacts, yes, but they also want what we know. The historical evidence that could rewrite property rights across the region."

"Let them try,"

Reed said firmly, his hand tightening on his weapon.

But King was already shaking his head.

"We can't fight them all. Not directly. Even with these tunnels as shelter, they'll eventually find a way in. Especially with Darkness helping them."

"Then we don't fight,"

Rowan said slowly, new possibilities forming in her mind.

"We negotiate."

"What?"

Reed stared at her.

"With the people trying to kill us?"

"With the other founding families,"

Rowan corrected.

"The ones who don't know the full truth yet. Mom's research showed different groups protecting different pieces of the historical record. What if...what if that was intentional? What if we're supposed to work together?"

Understanding dawned in King's eyes.

"Collaboration,"

he breathed.

"Elena used to talk about the importance of shared knowledge. Said no one group was meant to control the entire historical record."

"Exactly."

Rowan pulled out her mother's journal, finding relevant passages with ease.

"Look at these notes about the founding families. Each one was entrusted with different parts of the puzzle. But together..."

"They complete the picture,"

Barbara finished, studying the documents.

"A network of keepers, each protecting their piece of a larger historical truth."

"Until someone decided they wanted more control,"

Reed added grimly.

"Started pushing for dominance instead of cooperation."

"Which is exactly what's happening now,"

Rowan said.

"Blackwood and his employers, they're trying to force this evidence to serve their purposes. To control something that was meant to be shared."

Before anyone could respond, distant sounds of activity reached them—vehicles above, people entering the outer tunnels. Barbara checked her instruments, expression grim.

"They're breaching the outer defenses,"

she reported.

"Multiple entry points. And these readings... Someone's using sophisticated tracking technology to find us."

"Darkness,"

King growled.

"He knows enough about these tunnels to help them find us."

Rowan studied the map carved into the stone table, seeing connections and possibilities she hadn't before. There was something important here, a solution her mother had prepared for this very scenario.

"We need to call a meeting,"

she said firmly.

"All the founding families. Show them the truth about what's really happening here."

"They'll attack us on sight,"

Reed protested.

"Not if we prove we're all being manipulated,"

Rowan countered.

"Not if we can show them what Blackwood and his people really want. What Darkness has been helping them do."

King studied her face. So much like Elena's when she was pursuing an idea that seemed impossible. "How?"

Rowan smiled determinedly.

"By giving them exactly what they want. By letting them find us...in the one place where the truth can't be denied."

Understanding dawned in King's eyes.

"The central chamber,"

he breathed.

"Where all the tunnel networks converge. Where the historical evidence is most complete."

"And where Mom left her final documentation,"

Rowan added.

"The records she knew would only be found when the time was right. When all the interested parties were gathered."

More sounds from above indicated their pursuers were getting closer. Time was running out.

"It's risky,"

Reed said quietly. But his tone held admiration rather than doubt.

"Maybe,"

Rowan agreed.

"Or maybe it's exactly what these records have been waiting for. The founding families reuniting, choosing cooperation over conflict."

She met King's eyes.

"Isn't that what Mom was really preparing us for? Not just to fight, but to lead? To show a better way?"

King was silent for a long moment, weighing options. Finally, he nodded.

"Elena always said the truth would come out when the time was right. When people were ready to understand what these artifacts really represented."

"And if we're wrong?"

Reed asked.

"If they're not ready?"

Rowan thought about everything they'd learned about her mother's careful planning and her father's unwavering support. About Reed's steadfast presence and the truth that had brought them all together.

"Then we face that outcome knowing we tried,"

she said simply.

"But I don't think we're wrong. Mom saw this coming, prepared for it. All these tunnels, all these hidden chambers...they're not just about keeping people out. They're about bringing the right people together when the time was right."

Barbara looked thoughtful.

"How do we get all the founding families to the central chamber? Even if we could contact every group..."

"We don't have to,"

Rowan said.

"They're already coming. All we have to do is make sure they follow us to the right place. And I know exactly how to do that."

She returned to the stone table, this time with purpose. The map carved into its surface showed a clear path to the central chamber—a route that connected to all the major tunnel networks.

"Mom documented how these tunnels connect to territories controlled by each founding family,"

she explained, tracing the pathways with her finger.

"Each group has their own access point, their own connection to the central chamber. If we can get there first, prepare what she left behind..."

"They'll all converge in one place,"

Reed realized.

"Where we can show them everything."

"Along with everyone trying to kill us,"

King pointed out.

"Yes,"

Rowan agreed.

"But they'll be following us on our terms. Through tunnels that we understand better than they do, thanks to Mom's research."

More sounds from above indicated their pursuers were getting closer, but different now. Rowan could hear multiple groups approaching from different directions. Not just one organized force, but several competing interests all converging on their position.

"They're coming,"

she said softly.

"All of them. Devils, Kings, Iron Fists...every founding family that's been drawn into this. Now we just have to reach the central chamber first, prepare what Mom left behind."

"And if they don't want to see the truth?"

Reed asked quietly.

Rowan thought about her mother's careful preparations, about families chosen generations ago to protect knowledge that powerful interests wanted buried.

"Then we'll know Elena was wrong,"

she said simply.

"That the founding families aren't ready to understand their true purpose. To work together instead of fighting for control."

King's hand found her shoulder, squeezing gently.

"She wasn't wrong,"

he said with quiet certainty.

"Your mother...she saw things the rest of us missed. Connections, patterns, possibilities. If she believed this could work..."

"Then it's worth the risk to try,"

Rowan finished.

Reed's hand slipped into hers, his touch grounding her as they prepared to move.

"Together?"

he asked softly.

Rowan thought about her mother's careful planning and the unexpected connections that had brought them all to this moment. About families meant to complement each other rather than compete.

"Together,"

she agreed.

Above them, all around them, booted feet pounding created a low rumble that grew louder by the second. But Rowan remained focused as she led them toward the central chamber, carrying forward the legacy her mother had entrusted to her.

It was time to finish what Elena had started. To show them all a better way.

Because some truths were worth any price. Even blood.