The night of the autumn moon arrived, bringing a torrential downpour that rattled the stained-glass windows of the old library. It was eleven-forty-five PM. The four of us crouched in the deepest alcove of the history section, surrounded by a circle of flickering candles that Iris had brought.

In the center of the circle lay the rusted human anatomy textbook, flipped open to the page of the human heart, with the silver, heart-shaped key resting on top of the drawing."I don't know about this, Pia," Ethan muttered, pacing back and forth, his hands shoved deep into his jacket pockets. The usual mischief in his eyes had been replaced by sheer anxiety. "What if I mess up? What if what my grandfather did can't be undone?""You can do this, Ethan," I said, stepping up to him and placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "You carry Arthur’s blood. Julian doesn't blame your grandfather. He just wants to be free."Ela checked her watch. "It's time. Eleven-fifty-nine.""Everyone, hold hands," Iris whispered, her voice trembling as she knelt by the candles.