veil of shadows

chapter 11 : into the shadows

The night was eerily quiet after Lucien's abrupt retreat. The remnants of the shattered front door creaked in the cold wind, and the faint glow of the locket against Ethan's chest had dimmed, its power retreating into silence. Ethan's mind whirled, trying to process the impossible—a surge of ancient magic that had come from deep within him, from the locket, and from a source he couldn't even begin to understand.Selena moved swiftly, her hands grabbing a small duffel bag from the corner of the room, tossing a few essentials inside. Her movements were precise, almost frantic. Ethan could feel the tension in her every action."We need to move fast. He'll regroup, and next time, he won't give us a warning," Selena said, her voice sharp with urgency.Ethan blinked, still shaken from what had just transpired. "Selena, I—I don't even know what just happened. How did I do that? I've never—""There's no time to figure that out now," she interrupted, zipping the bag closed. "That was just a taste of the power locked inside the locket, and Lucien won't stop until he has it. We need to go to the archive, find the coven, and get answers. Everything else can wait."He swallowed hard, looking around the room. His mom. He couldn't just leave her, not without an explanation. "What about my mother? I can't leave her—"Selena's face softened for just a moment. "I know. But Lucien's dangerous. Staying here would put her in even more danger. We'll make sure she's safe, I promise."Ethan nodded, though the pit of worry remained heavy in his chest. He quickly wrote a note, leaving it on the kitchen counter for his mom to find when she woke up. It wasn't much, but it was all he could do for now."We'll come back, Mom. I swear," Ethan whispered to himself as he and Selena slipped out into the night.---They traveled by foot at first, sticking to the back alleys, moving through the city under the cover of darkness. Ethan's mind raced as they walked, his pulse quickening with every distant sound, every shadow that flickered in his peripheral vision."Where is this archive, exactly?" Ethan finally asked, his voice low."It's hidden beneath the old cathedral on the outskirts of the city," Selena explained. "It's ancient, predating the modern world, and protected by layers of enchantments. Only those with ties to the supernatural world know about it."Ethan's heart pounded as they made their way deeper into the city, the streets growing quieter, more desolate. The thought of entering a world he never knew existed—vampires, witches, demons—seemed almost surreal.Finally, after what felt like hours, they reached the outskirts, where the old cathedral loomed over the quiet neighborhood. Its towering spires stretched into the night sky, and the moonlight cast an eerie glow over its crumbling stone walls. The air felt colder here, heavier, as if the very ground held secrets long forgotten by time."This is it," Selena whispered, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger.Ethan hesitated. "What are we going to find down there?"Selena's eyes darkened. "Answers. And maybe more than we bargained for."With a swift movement, she led him toward a side entrance, where a hidden door lay beneath a thick layer of ivy and debris. She muttered a few words under her breath, and the door creaked open, revealing a set of winding stairs that descended into darkness.Ethan took a deep breath. There was no turning back now.---The descent into the archive was suffocating. The walls were narrow, and the air was damp and cold. Ethan's heart raced with every step, and the glow of the torch Selena held illuminated only a few feet ahead, casting long, eerie shadows along the stone corridor.After what felt like an eternity, they reached the bottom, where a massive iron door stood before them. Selena approached it cautiously, her eyes narrowing as she inspected the runes etched into its surface."This door is sealed by magic. Only those worthy of its knowledge can enter.""Worthy?" Ethan echoed, anxiety creeping into his voice. "How do we know if we're worthy?"Selena gave him a small, knowing smile. "We don't. But the locket should help."She motioned for him to step forward, and as Ethan approached the door, the locket around his neck began to glow faintly. The runes on the door responded, shimmering with a golden light that pulsed in rhythm with the locket's energy."Place your hand on the door," Selena instructed, her voice calm but firm.Ethan hesitated for only a moment before pressing his palm against the cold iron. A surge of warmth shot through him, and the runes flared to life, brightening until they were blinding. The door groaned and slowly swung open, revealing the archive.Inside, rows upon rows of ancient tomes, scrolls, and relics filled the cavernous chamber. The air was thick with magic, and the weight of centuries of knowledge seemed to press down on them."Wow," Ethan whispered, his eyes wide as he took in the vast expanse of history before him.Selena nodded, her expression unreadable. "This place is a treasure trove of magical knowledge. Somewhere in here, we'll find the records of the locket."They made their way through the aisles, the soft glow of the torch casting flickering shadows on the walls. Selena moved with purpose, her fingers gliding over the spines of ancient books, her eyes scanning for anything that might help.After what felt like hours, she finally stopped in front of a large, leather-bound tome. "This is it. The history of the coven that created the locket."Ethan watched as she carefully opened the book, revealing pages filled with intricate symbols and delicate handwriting. Selena's brow furrowed as she read, her fingers tracing the text."This coven was one of the oldest, dating back to before recorded history. They specialized in binding magic to objects—powerful objects, like the locket."Ethan's gaze was fixed on the pages, but his mind was racing. "What does it say about why the locket chose me?"Selena flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the ancient text. Finally, she stopped, her expression grave."It wasn't just by chance," she said quietly. "The locket was created to bind itself to a guardian, someone who could wield its power to protect it from those who would use it for destruction."Ethan's throat tightened. "So... I'm its guardian?"Selena nodded. "It seems so. But there's more. The locket's power is tied to the bloodline of the coven's creators. Which means..."Ethan's heart pounded in his chest. "Which means what?"Selena looked up at him, her eyes filled with both awe and fear. "Which means you're connected to the coven. You're part of their legacy."The weight of her words hit Ethan like a tidal wave. Part of an ancient coven? A guardian of a powerful, magical relic? It was too much to comprehend.But before he could process any of it, the ground beneath them rumbled, and a low, menacing growl echoed through the chamber.Selena's eyes widened in alarm. "We're not alone."