Below Blackmoor Library…
The tunnel seemed endless, carved with runes that shimmered like nervous stars.
"Anyone else feel like this place is judging us?" Stephen whispered.
Daemon, leading with a torch, muttered, "If it starts talking, I'm leaving."
Hope brushed her hand across the wall. "This wasn't made by witches. It's older."
Trent stopped. "We're here."
Before them stood a vault door, sealed with seven magical locks. It pulsed with dark energy. Ancient. Breathing.
London stepped closer. "Something inside is alive."
Hope stared at him. "Alive?"
Stephen gasped dramatically. "What if it's an ancient vampire librarian who demands overdue books in blood?"
Daemon: "Stop."
Trent began translating the runes. "Only when sun meets flame, and blood meets stone, may the seal be broken…"
London's palm began to glow faintly. The seal shimmered in response.
Hope grabbed his arm. "Don't touch it. Whatever's in there—it's reacting to you."
But then a pulse surged through the tunnel—blasting them all back.
When they opened their eyes, the vault remained sealed… but something had changed.
"It knows we're here," Raphael whispered.
---
Meanwhile, in the moonlit greenhouse above…
Jessa found Celeste standing in a ring of protective wards. Her sister's eyes widened when she saw her.
"What are you doing?" Jessa demanded.
Celeste crossed her arms. "Protecting the school."
"Don't lie. You've been acting strange for weeks. Everyone's starting to suspect you."
"I know." Celeste's voice cracked. "And I don't care. Because something terrible is coming—and no one's listening."
Jessa stepped forward, suspicious. "What do you know?"
Celeste hesitated, then whispered, "I've been having visions. Since the last eclipse."
Jessa's eyes widened. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because no one ever believes me," Celeste snapped. "You're the witch. I'm just… the jealous sister."
Jessa softened. "You're not just anything."
Celeste's hands trembled. "I saw someone open the seal beneath the school. And I saw… Dad."
Jessa's stomach dropped. "What about him?"
Celeste turned away. "He disappeared in the vision."
Jessa reached for her. "Wait—what do you mean disappeared—"
Suddenly, a flash of light tore through the sky outside. Bells clanged. A siren wailed.
---
Back underground, Hope's group looked up as the tunnel shook.
Daemon growled. "Something's happening."
A voice crackled through Trent's communication charm.
"This is Headmistress Elira. Richard Blackmoor is missing. All students are to return to their dorms immediately. Repeat: Richard Blackmoor has disappeared."
Hope's breath caught.
"Richard's gone?"
Stephen blinked. "Okay, that was not on my popcorn bingo card."
London clenched his fists. "We were just with him last night…"
Raphael glanced at Hope. "You think the vault…?"
Hope stared at the sealed door. "No. I think something used the vault… to draw him away."
Daemon's eyes narrowed. "This isn't random. This is a message."
And far above, Celeste dropped to her knees as the vision returned—fire, blood, and a familiar voice whispering from the dark:
> "It begins now."