The clock ticked in the library's silence, Maddy immersed in ancient journals, looking for any clue to what they had, Matthew researching everything he knew about the Cove and Sage, re-reading Patrick's and Charlotte's journals. Meanwhile, Avidan and the others spoke with their connections and prepared everything.

Sage felt desperation mounting; they were running out of time. She squeezed her eyes shut and sighed, "Please show me what I'm missing," she whispered, inhaling deeply and exhaling through dry, pursed lips before looking down at Patrick's journal. She was about to continue reading when she noticed the page she was on was not in line with the others; picking up the journal, Sage felt down the spine. There seemed to be a lump in the centre of the spine.

"I wonder what this is," she murmured, drawing the attention of the others as she looked over the journal's spine.

"What is it?" Matthew asked.

"I'm not sure," Sage said, "I noticed the page I'm reading is the only one in the journal that isn't in line," she turned the book around and over, looking for a way to get to the lump, "this is what I found, but I don't know how to get to it."

"Then it's a good thing I arrived," Stuart said, entering the alcove and generally waving to everyone, "Maddy phoned asking about original texts and maps ..." he shrugged, "... after looking for what she needed to know, I thought I would come over and have a look at what you're doing ... perhaps I could help."

"Happy to have all the help we can," Sage said, smiling, "you can start by telling me how to get to this lump in Patick's Journal,"

Stuart moved into the alcove holding a leather work bag, placed it on the table, pulled on cotton gloves and gently took the journal from Sage; he looked it over carefully, taking so long Sage wanted to urge him to hurry but knew that nothing would make him move any faster than he already was.

Finally, he put the journal carefully on the table, took out one or two tools and went to work on the top of the spine, "It would appear there is a secret compartment in the spine that has collapsed over time," he whispered as he worked, lifting a flap at the top of the spine and letting a rolled piece of parchment fall onto the table, "seems that Patrick was as good as Charlotte when it came to secret keeping."

"What is that for?" Sage asked as Stuart opened the rolled parchment.

"It looks like a map," he said as the others gathered around him, "with instructions, but I don't know the language."

"Let me look," Sage said, meeting Stuart's gaze and adding, "Please."

He handed her a pair of white cotton gloves that she slipped on and gently took the parchment from him, "It's Gaelic," she whispered, "apparently we need to ... oh ... its a riddle."

"Really," Maddy sighed, glancing at the clock, "can't they just tell us what to do."

"It would defeat the object of keeping the islands safe," Sage murmured, focusing on the writing; taking out her phone, she took a photo of the parchment and handed it back to Stuart, "keep it safe."

He took it, nodding thankfully, and placed it in a long wooden box in his bag, "What does the riddle say?"

"Hmm, let's see, the islands must be kept safe at all costs ...." Sage said absently, "... according to this, we need the ring and the map to obtain the Magi's Coronet."

"You're not answering my question," Stuart said, staring at Sage.

"No, I'm not because I'm trying to make sure I have the translation correct," Sage said, "Patrick wrote half the riddle in Irish Gaelic and the other half in Scottish Gaelic," she shook her head, "only a true Celt would know both."

"How do you know both?" Ben asked.

"I found both fascinating," Sage said, "it felt as though I couldn't learn one without the other."

"That makes sense," Ben nodded, "so what can you tell us?"

"Okay, I hope I have it right," Sage said, frowning in concentration, " ... take the key, map and ring to enter the underworld of light and life," she paused, "know yourself and who you truly are to obtain the Crown and own ..." she paused, "no that isn't it," she sighed, re-reading the line, "... know who you are to obtain the Crown and ..." she murmured a few choices try to find the correct translation of the frustrating word, "... oh right ... this one means possess ... so the full riddle is ..." she looked at everyone, "... are you ready?"

"Sage," Maddy frowned, "spit it out."

Sage grinned before looking at the page, "Take the key, map and ring to enter the Underworld of Light and Life; know yourself and who you truly are to obtain the Crown and possess our World."

"We have all of that, but where do we go to do all of this?" Maddy asked, looking around, but everyone shook their head.

Sage picked up her phone and handed it to Maddy, "Do you know where this is?"

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Maddy looked at the phone and then at Stuart, "Isn't this ..." she frowned as he nodded.

"Do I need to tell you to spit it out now?" Sage asked, looking at the pair.

"This location is on the entry island," Stuart said, "we can get there quickly, but how are we going to stop the Channing's?"

"Sally," Maddy said, "remember your Grandfather once said that in the family bloodline is a brother and sister who both care, but one will be more like one family, and the other will be more like the other family. Their combination will be what is wanted to help as they will work in unison to protect and service."

Stuart stared at Maddy, "You remember that?"

"My mother did say it, but I just read it in one of my mother's journals," Maddy said, "I found them in a secret space under the display cabinet."

"Brilliant, we have all the pieces and a little over an hour and a half to put them in to play," Sage said, "we will need Sally's help to protect those caves and the other islands. We can only hope she keeps true to her heritage."

"What do you mean?" Stuart asked.

"Every Channing I've known is duplicitous," Sage said, "I'm hoping that Sally's blood is more Cooper than Channing."

"So do I," Stuart sighed, "I'd love to tell you that you're wrong, but I can't."

Avidan stepped away from the group working at the other table, "Everything is in place," he said, handing each a thin metal collar with a tiny camera on and what looked like open fish gills, "a camera for us to record this as proof that Sage is the one history speaks of, and communication with each other and us."

Sage nodded, fastening her collar around her neck, "Does it have to be in any specific direction?"

Ben straightened, "No, as long as it's attached to your neck, we can see a full circle around you."

"Impressive," Matthew said, "are we getting any backup?"

"It is on the way," Avidan said, "but we're not sure how long it will take to get here."

"So we're on our own for now," Maddy said, sighing.

"Avidan, don't forget these," one of the men looked up from the laptop, pointing at tactical belts lying on the table. "They will need them for whatever they take with them."

"Yes," Avidan said, handing them out and waiting until they were fastened before continuing, "you may need to have your hands to carry ... an object or person should anything happen ..." he paused, "... whatever you need to take to make this happen needs to be around your waist."

Sage nodded, "Whatever is necessary to get this done right the first time," she looked at each person, "make sure you have it with you."

Each person nodded, moving from the table to select and stow equipment in the belts. Once Sage had everything she needed, she moved toward the cluster of men working furiously at the table. They looked up as she stopped on the opposite side of the table.

"Do you have everything you need to take down the Channing line of evil?" she asked.

"We do," one of the unnamed men with cold eyes said, "have you figured it out yet?"

"You're the Assassin," she whispered, looking at the other man, "you rectify the documents."

"Well done," Avidan said, glancing at Ben and smiling, "told you she would figure it out."

"Orders?" Ben asked, waiting silently with the others.

"We all need to end the Channing hold as thoroughly and permanently as possible," Sage said, "obviously it would be fantastic if we all get out of this alive without casualties ... or fatalities," she looked at the gathering group, "I want that more than anything ... but I'm not naive and know that what we hope and wish for may not happen, and our odds go down when you're looking at the opposition we have. Our goal is to protect this land ... all of it ... and the people ... every one of them wherever they may be." Sage looked at Avidan, Ben and the two men, "You need to get the information out to anyone and everyone ... the public needs to know, and those who can do something about it need to move ... quickly," she sighed, "should anything happen to us while we're down there take whatever measures are necessary to protect this land and the people."

"Are you authorising us to obliterate the Channing's?" the Assassin asked.

"If that is what needs to happen to break the hold and protect Coopers Cove and its people," Sage said, "I'm authorising you to be the last stand against the evil that had destroyed so much."

He nodded, smiling coldly, "It will be a pleasure."

Sage shook her head, an understanding smile breaking across her lips, "I'm sure it will be."

Looking at the second man, she met a steady waiting gaze, "You have the documents that were put into place and amended," he nodded, "when this all comes to light and while the Channing's are scattered and vulnerable leak everything they did from the time of Charlotte and her husbands time to now, including the atrocities they covered up on Coopers Cove I want pure truth out there, no one's versions of what happened, it has to be pure that way the Channing's cannot twist it to suit themselves and they won't have a chance to use anyone in their network."

"It will be as plain as the nose of the face," he said, "and while that is happening, I'll revoke any hold they have on the Cove, reverting the control to Charlotte's trust and family."

Sage nodded, "Good ..." glancing at her watch, she sighed, "Stuart, we're using the tunnels."

"Everyone got working lights?" Stuart asked, looking around at the elastic bands holding lamps; everyone nodded, and he waited while Sage put her band on and tested the lamp, giving the thumbs up, "Let's go."

Avidan muttered something in Hebrew as they left, and Sage smiled, nodded and followed the others. Catching up to them as Maddy glanced her way.

"What did he say?" she asked.

"Who? Avidan?" Sage asked.

Maddy nodded.

"Let me get my translator," she said, pulling out her phone and looking at the app, "he sent a blessing with us ... may God go with you all."

"We're going to need Him," Maddy said as they crossed the basement and followed the men into the tunnel, closing the door behind her and switching on her lamp, "I'm happy to have Him along for the ride."

"Everyone got their lamps on?" Stuart asked, nodding at the chorus in the affirmative, "Let's move quickly before we run out of time."

Silently, the group moved through the tunnels, each immersed in their thoughts and feelings but resolved to stand no matter what.

Sage was the last to move off. Her heart fluttered strangely, and she felt anxious about stepping into a situation like this, something totally foreign and terrifying: "I hope I know what I'm doing and that I do the right thing ... for everyone."