Damon remained in front of the map for several more minutes, watching the blue passage cross the black mountain while everyone around him waited for his next decision. The plate appeared silent, but he could feel constant pressure against his consciousness, as though the path drawn there demanded to be followed immediately. Before, that kind of sensation probably would have been enough to make him advance without preparation. Now he understood that urgency was merely another form of control, even when it came from something left behind by Xue Lian instead of Seraphine.
"Place the frame inside a stone box and take it to a room without windows," Damon ordered. "I want still water in all four corners, mineral powder around the box, and no exposed metal. The passage will only be observed when we decide to observe it."
Aria closed her notebook and looked at him with some surprise.
"You are treating an ancient map like a prisoner."
