Aarav looked at the book, then at Mrs. Patel, then at the lantern’s flame. He realized that the secret wasn’t the hidden text—it was the it forced upon its discoverer. Chapter 6: The Promise Aarav took a deep breath. “I will share it,” he said firmly. “The knowledge belongs to everyone.”
“The library,” Priya said, lowering her voice. “But the librarian, Mrs. Patel, says it’s locked away in a hidden compartment. No one has ever seen it. The key vanished after the old headmaster died.”
A hidden panel in the floor swung open, revealing a narrow staircase that spiraled down into darkness. A cool draft rose up, carrying with it the faint scent of incense.