In her private study, hidden away from the prying eyes of the town, Moira has gathered the tools she needs. Her desk is covered in ancient books, some so old the pages crumble at the touch. They are the legacy of the Seymour family, passed down through generations, and each one holds a piece of the dark truth Watertown isn’t ready to hear. Her fingers glide over the cracked spines, flipping through pages filled with rituals, incantations written in a language no one speaks anymore.

This isn’t just preparation. This is destiny. The vortex—the dark, ancient force that lies beneath Watertown—has been growing stronger, and Moira is the key to unlocking it. She feels its pull deep in her bones, an almost physical tug that’s been with her since she was a child. But now, it’s closer than ever, rumbling beneath her feet, whispering promises of power and control.

On the desk sits the amulet, the centerpiece of the ritual. It’s a small, unassuming thing, dark and smooth, but it pulses faintly with an energy that makes the air in the room feel thick, oppressive. Beside it lies a sleek silver knife, its blade gleaming under the dim light of the desk lamp. Moira picks it up, turning it in her hand, feeling the weight of it, the cold steel against her skin. This is the knife she will use tomorrow, the one that will open the door to everything her family has worked for.

But today, it’s about making sure every detail is perfect. She walks through the house with her phone in hand, scrolling through notes, messages to a few select people in town who are still loyal to the Seymour name. She’s been careful—no one suspects the truth, not even the ones who’ve heard the rumors about what’s buried under Watertown’s soil. They think she’s planning something for the town’s anniversary, or some community event. No one knows that tomorrow, the ground will shake, and the old magic will rise.

Outside, the wind picks up, rattling the bare branches of the trees. The sky is heavy with clouds, and the air smells like rain. It feels right. She throws on a long black coat, zipping it up to her chin, and slips her phone into her pocket. Her black boots crunch over the gravel as she walks to her car, a sleek black SUV that’s as practical as it is understated. Everything Moira does is calculated, controlled. She has a reputation to uphold, even now. Especially now.

She drives to Thompson Park, the headlights of her car cutting through the thickening mist that’s settled over the town. The park is quiet, deserted this time of night. The stone circle, hidden deep in the woods, is where the real work begins. She steps out of the car and pulls her coat tighter around herself, the cold biting at her skin, but it’s a discomfort she barely registers. She’s focused.

The stones loom ahead, tall and ancient, their surfaces weathered by time. Moira approaches them like an old friend, her fingers brushing over the rough carvings—symbols her family has kept alive for generations. She kneels in the center of the circle, her breath fogging in the cold air, and begins to whisper the words she knows by heart. The incantation is old, older than the town, older than the Seymours. It’s a call to the vortex, a reminder of the blood that’s been spilled to keep it asleep.

But tomorrow, there will be no more sleep. The vortex will wake, and with it, the old power that Watertown was built on.

Moira stands, looking up at the sky, where the blood moon will soon rise. The wind howls through the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and decay. She feels the ground beneath her feet shift, just a little, just enough to remind her of what’s waiting. The vortex is ready.

Tomorrow, it will all come to a head. The sacrifices will be made, the ritual completed, and Moira will finally have what she’s always wanted: control. Over Watertown. Over the vortex. Over everything.

As she walks back to her car, she can feel the power building, the ground humming beneath her feet. She drives home through the quiet streets, knowing that tomorrow, nothing will be quiet again.

Amazon.com: Beneath the Veil: Watertown’s Forgotten Darkness eBook : Night, Desire: Kindle Store