Magnus's expression was grim. Haunted. "It says: 'The prison weakens. The seven keys gather. The sleepers wake. The end begins.'" Silence. Just the sound of breathing. Of hearts beating. Of the world waiting. "The Council," Lin whispered. "They're not waiting to be summoned. They're already breaking free." "Exactly." Magnus looked at her. At Jake. "This tablet is a message. A warning. Or a threat. I don't know which. But it means everything we thought about the Hearts is wrong. They're not just prison keys. They're anchors. And the prison is failing. Deteriorating. Breaking down." Jake felt cold. Not from the temperature. From understanding. From realizing what this meant. "How long?" he asked. "How long until the prison breaks completely?" "I don't know. The tablet doesn't say. Could be days. Could be weeks. Could be years." Magnus turned the tablet slightly. More symbols appeared. Glowing faintly. "But Marguerite knew. She looked at this and smiled. Said we have less time than