Chapter 32: Secrets Unveiled with Audiobook

By: Asa Montreaux

The tension from their recent encounter with the terrorist group had barely faded as Hugh, Eliza, Mish, Sam, and Fiona returned to the school. Though safe now, their minds remained occupied with the danger they had narrowly escaped. And yet, as always, life at The Andrews School returned to a semblance of normalcy. Classes resumed, and their magical training continued—but with an undercurrent of unease, as if everyone sensed the gravity of what lay ahead.

In the middle of all this, Agent Macomb became a far more central figure. He had always been a man of few words, lurking in the background, guiding them subtly toward their mission. But now, he took a more active role. One cold afternoon, just after a particularly intense Basic Spells class, Hugh and his friends were summoned to Macomb’s office. 

Inside, the room was dim, lit only by the flickering glow of enchanted lanterns. Macomb sat behind his desk, his dark fedora set on the edge of the table, revealing a graying head of hair. He motioned for them to sit.

“I think it’s time I gave you more insight,” Macomb began, his voice low and steady. “You’ve proven yourselves capable, but you need to understand the mechanics of what’s truly at play.”

Hugh exchanged a look with Eliza. This was it—the moment when they’d finally be given answers.

Macomb leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as he began to speak. “The terrorists you encountered—The Crimson Dawn—are not just after money. They’re after ancient magic. Some of the oldest and most dangerous magic exists in places few even know about. Bank vaults, hidden in secret locations around the world, guarded by wards so powerful even some of the most skilled wizards would be terrified to tamper with them.”

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

“They’re after a particular artifact,” Macomb continued. “One that could allow them to bypass all magical protections, even the most advanced barriers. It’s called the Cipher Stone. The vault they tried to break into? It’s one of many that hold pieces of the stone, and if they succeed in assembling all the pieces, no magical place, no person with abilities will be safe.”

Mish frowned. “Why don’t we destroy it then? Get rid of the pieces?”

Macomb shook his head. “The stone is linked to powerful ley lines. Destroying it could unravel ancient enchantments tied to the fabric of magical society. That’s why the fight is about control, not destruction.”

He opened a drawer and pulled out a set of ancient scrolls, spreading them out across the desk. Diagrams, spell runes, and illustrations of vaults dotted the pages. Hugh leaned forward, fascinated. He was drawn to the intricate details of the magic they were up against. “These vaults,” Macomb said, pointing to the scrolls, “are connected to each other through portals. That’s how The Crimson Dawn managed to get so close without triggering alarms. They’re using ancient magic—very old and very dangerous.”

Eliza shivered slightly, and Hugh took her hand under the table. The gesture wasn’t lost on Macomb, who glanced at them briefly before continuing.

“You’ll be learning new spells to protect yourselves,” Macomb added, his tone growing more technical. “There are layers to magic—surface spells you’re taught in your basic classes, and then the hidden, forgotten magic. The kind only a few know. I’ll be teaching you some of these spells.”

They spent hours in Macomb’s office, absorbing the knowledge. He taught them about magical runes that could enhance their powers, spells that could manipulate the very structure of buildings to hide escape routes, and the dangerous art of deflecting dark magic. It was a crash course in advanced magical theory, more complex than anything they’d encountered so far.

After the meeting, as they walked back to their dorms, Hugh felt a mixture of excitement and dread. He had always been curious about the deeper layers of magic, the technicalities and intricate mechanics behind the spells. But now, knowing that this knowledge was essential for their survival, the thrill was tempered by the weight of responsibility.

*

Meanwhile, the dynamics at school were as lively as ever. Gossip about fellow students spread like wildfire, often mixed with intrigue about their magical abilities. One of the most talked-about figures was Kiera Devereux, a social media sensation who managed to post filtered, perfectly-curated pictures on Instagram that just barely concealed her magical flair. The rumors swirling around her involved everything from secret teleportation escapades to wild, levitation-fueled parties in downtown New York. 

“Did you hear she levitated an entire barstool in broad daylight?” Sam muttered as they passed a group of giggling students. “She’s going to get us all caught one day.”

“And somehow, she’s still the queen bee,” Eliza added, shaking her head. “Her Instagram stories are practically showing off magic.”

But even with the distractions of school life, something had shifted between Hugh and Eliza. They grew closer in ways that surprised even them. They spent more time together, practicing spells, discussing the technicalities of what Macomb had taught them. One evening, as they stood in the courtyard watching the stars, Hugh felt an unfamiliar warmth spreading through him.

“You know,” he began, glancing sideways at her, “Macomb’s right. We have no idea what we’re really capable of.”

Eliza smiled, her eyes sparkling. “Then I guess we’ll just have to find out.”

She raised her hand, and with a flick of her wrist, sent a flurry of snowflakes swirling around them. Hugh chuckled and, with a wave of his own hand, added a glowing orb of light that floated between them, casting soft shadows in the night.

As they practiced, lost in their magic and the quiet moments together, the looming threat of The Crimson Dawn felt distant, at least for now. But even in these peaceful moments, they knew their next challenge was just around the corner.

*

Macomb’s words echoed in Hugh’s mind as they prepared for another day of lessons. The older wizard had revealed so much, but it was clear there was still more to learn, more danger ahead. For now, though, the only thing on Hugh’s mind was how to balance school life, growing relationships, and mastering the arcane knowledge that might just save them all.