Contents
Chapter Forty-Four
Overview
Holland and Adam reach Knife and Cross’s Stage 10 and locate the chained book, radiating the Alchemical Heart’s magic. The book is bound with Bank chains and cannot be opened; Holland’s Regal key fails. When strangers enter the stage, they abandon the book and hide in a coffin, escalating the danger.
Summary
Racing against time, Holland and Adam drive a golf cart to Knife and Cross’s Stage 10. The cavernous set evokes a decadent vampire court, stirring Holland’s excitement and resolve. To cover more ground and steady emotions, they split up: Adam searches the opulent upper court while Holland explores the eerie lower court of black roses and coffins.
Holland senses real magic in the space, convinced the Alchemical Heart is near. Navigating among coffins, she discovers two human-shaped chalk outlines and, beyond them, the chained book on an iron pedestal. The ancient leather, strange-hued pages, and pulsing chains confirm its authenticity.
Adam identifies the bindings as Bank chains, which cannot be picked or broken and require a specific key. Hoping her father left parallel clues for his daughters, Holland tries her sister’s Regal Motor Hotel key. Sparks fly and the lock hisses, the chains glowing red, proving the key is wrong and potentially dangerous.
Before they can regroup, the stage door opens. A tour guide enters with a man who terrifies Holland at first sight. With no time to move the heavy volume, Adam pulls Holland into a coffin to hide, leaving the book on the pedestal.
They remain concealed as the intruders advance, the failed key attempt and the presence of Bank chains leaving the book secured and the stakes raised.
Who Appears
- HollandProtagonist; senses the Alchemical Heart, finds the chained book, tries her sister’s Regal key, and hides when intruders arrive.
- AdamAlly; identifies Bank chains, searches the upper court, urges retreat, and hides with Holland in a coffin.
- Unidentified manEnters Stage 10 with a tour guide; his presence terrifies Holland, forcing her and Adam to hide.
- Tour guideAccompanies the unidentified man onto Stage 10, inadvertently interrupting Holland and Adam.