nd despite herself, she felt a strange sense of determination growing within her. What was it that he was trying to protect her from? Was there rea

laughter from the hallway, but Sophie could sense that something had changed in the air. She wasn't sure if it was the lingering tension from her conversa

without looking up,

own on her bed. "It was... interesting. I thin

. "I'm glad. But, uh, I have to warn you. You might want to lay low aro

ing to gauge how serious she was.

but trust me, there's more to him than meets the eye. He's involved in things... things you don't want to get cau

it, the more it seemed plausible. Eastwick had always had a strange reputation. There were so many rumors about hidden treasure

ay from the truth? And more importantly, what was the secret tha

oice barely a whisper. "I think... I

look in her eyes. "You're not

thing about this place, Grace. I feel like th

n the bed beside her. "Just be careful

mysteries hidden within Eastwick's walls. Her mind kept returning to the book she had found yesterday, The Founding of Eas

Hidden among the lines of text was a peculiar note scribbled in the margin, so faint it could easil

e chapel. But beware, those

the chapel? Was this the key to what

s one problem-she had no idea where to begin. The chapel was one of the oldest buildings on campus, a towering structure

ottom of this, she would need help. And, whether she liked it or not, Ethan was the one person who might know more abou

pared. She would ask him directly, confront him with the information she had uncovered.

ce, and yet it felt like it held secrets far darker than the university's public facade. Sophie lingered outside for a moment, taking in the intricate carvings of angels a

she pushed open the do

glass windows. The air was thick with the scent of incense and aged wood. The silence wa

eneath the chapel. She had no idea where to begin, but she couldn't shake the f

she reached out to touch one of the stones, she froze. The stone felt... different. It wa

passage. But before she could investigate fu

r something

arms crossed, a knowing look on his face. How long had he be

ling with both fear and excitement. "Y

rk. "I told you before, Sophie. S

ground. "I need to kn

let out a quiet sigh. "Fine. But once you know, you can't u

oved to reveal the hidden entrance beneath the altar, Sophie couldn'