The deep, resonant thrumming from the earth grew more violent, sending long fissures through the stone floor of the Academy. Lucien struggled to his feet, his fingers digging into the gaps of the masonry to keep his balance. He could hear the students in the lower vaults screaming again, their fear a sharp, secondary vibration in his lattice-scarred arm.
"Vane! Get out here now!" Lucien shouted, his voice echoing through the debris-filled corridor.
The headmaster stumbled into the hall, his face chalky with dust. He looked at the shifting floor and then back at the trio. "What is happening Dreadmoor? We defeated the auditor. The nodes should be dormant!"
"The auditor was the deterrent," Lucien said. He grabbed Vane’s collar, pulling him closer as the ground buckled once more. "The Grave
