Me and this damn tunnel were officially enemies. I’d never failed at something this impressively. My whole family, and the fate of the world, were relying on me to do one thing and I couldn’t even get to the right place. I started pacing the tunnel and wringing my hands together. If only Tegan were here. She probably would have some brilliant scheme—wait. Tegan. I wonder what she put in my notebook. Maybe there’s something in there I can use to help me. Tegan is sneaky like that, so is Bentley.

Earlier when I’d gone flipping through this notebook, I had been looking for certain keywords, but I didn’t know exactly what to look for now, so I just opened the front cover expecting to waste precious time on a wild goose chase. Except as I flipped onto the first page, I found a note to me, written by Tegan. Butterflies filled my stomach. It had not been there the other times I’d opened it.

‘Franks, you won’t be able to see this until you’ve uncovered the truth behind the lines in your prophecy that state ‘Seek the one who paid the price, Change the name, she won’t play nice.’ If you’re reading this note from me now, then you’ve learned the truth about who you are—-or were. I’m sorry I could not tell you, or even warn you, but even as I write this note I am not one-hundred-percent sure I am right. The small, tiny chance that I am not means I do not dare tell you what’s in my mind. That would be cruel to say without proof. If I’m right, it’ll be the first thing you learn. But you’re reading this which means I am free to say . . . this is not your first life. You lived in the war with the vampires. I’ve read of your name in the Book of Shadows. That is why the angelic rune stones were waiting for you. Because you are the one who gave them to Esther’s ancestor. I say this because that might be an important fact to remember before you make it home to us. Trust your stones. But just in case your heart is heavy and you cannot find your way to Avolire, here’s a spell to help relieve some of the pressure on your soul. Take a deep breath. Recite it out loud. And do not fight the magic. Your pain and your anger over what was stolen from you will be here waiting for you. Accept this helping hand and get your ass home. P.S. When in doubt, ask yourself . . . what would I do? Tegan.’