The second announcement is about an upcoming Saturday School trip to the traveling carnival. Saturday School is where kids go after temple service to learn more about the gifted clans and the Godrealm and stuff. Kind of like school for witches, but only once a week. As for the carnival, it’s one of the highlights in the annual gifted calendar.

Suddenly I have an idea. “Isn’t Professor Ryu teaching Saturday School today?” I whisper to Hattie.

She ponders for a second and then slaps me on the arm. “I like how you think!”

Professor Ryu is one of those super-liberal, ditch-the-lesson-plans-and-let-the-students-direct-the-learning type of teachers, and she claims there is no such thing as a bad question. She’s also from the Tokki clan, and Kindness and Heart isn’t their motto for nothing. She’s one of the nicest people we know and probably our best way of finding out how to break the safe’s enchantment.

“And for the final piece of community news,” Mr. Hong continues, “a cautious word of warning for our loyal congregation.”

The other elders visibly tense, including Auntie Okja.

Mr. Hong clears his throat a few times before speaking again. “It has come to our attention that the Horangi clan has attempted to make contact with some members of the council.”

The temperature drops in the sanctuary and the hairs on my arm rise to attention. No way.

“The council has convened on the issue, and we suspect the excommunicated clan may be planning another attack on the community. We ask that everyone remain vigilant and take necessary precautions. If you see any of the scholars loitering around gifted property, report them to us immediately. And if any try to make contact, it is imperative that you do not engage. They are dangerous and should not be approached.”

Nervous murmurs ripple down the pews, spreading out from the center of the room like lava from a volcano. Eomma and Appa share a look of concern, and my eyes are immediately drawn to the empty benches in front of the red-jasper statue of the Mountain Tiger Goddess—the ex-patron of the Horangi clan.

The scholars weren’t always cursed. In fact, they used to be the upholders of knowledge and truth in the gifted community. They were the keepers of the sacred texts at the gifted library, and they were well respected. Revered, even.

But then, almost thirteen years ago, everything changed. Auntie Okja said that under the leadership of their new elder, Ms. Kwon, the clan became obsessed with power. Ms. Kwon claimed she’d figured out a way for witches to become as powerful as the goddesses and that she would pursue it until the scholars became divine themselves. When the other five clans accused them of heresy, Ms. Kwon led a Horangi attack against the gifted community. You were either with them or against them.