Chapter 9: The Vault of Secrets

The vault was a dark, cold room hidden deep within the heart of the Mills' mausoleum, where the secrets of her past—many of them dark and dangerous—were kept under lock and key. The walls, lined with old stone and reinforced with magic, seemed to close in around them as they walked down the stairs into the eerie space. The heavy scent of old parchment and the musty air filled their lungs as they stepped cautiously toward the massive shelves, each filled with Cora's tombs, grimoires, and scrolls that carried powerful, dangerous knowledge.

Regina led the way, her hand brushing over one of the stone shelves, sending a faint pulse of magic through the vault. The magical seals on the tombs flared with a soft blue light before dimming again. "The books and tombs here hold knowledge of dark magic, some of it more than I care to remember," Regina said, her voice low but steady. She had faced the shadows of her mother's legacy before, but there was always a feeling of dread when they had to revisit it.

Emma stood near the archway, her posture tense as she scanned the room, not fully at ease with being in such a place. Trina and Rebecca were already sifting through the tombs, their eyes flicking over the titles, searching for anything that could help them track down Emory or Reina—or at the very least, shed light on the situation at hand.

Rebecca flipped through a tome with a delicate touch. "I know we're all focused on finding Reina, but I'm still not clear on one thing," she said, glancing up at Trina. "Who's managing the scouts right now? And where are they staying?"

Trina, still scanning the pages of a nearby tome, paused for a moment before answering. "The scouts are staying at Granny's Inn and have been all reassigned. Most of them are helping out wherever their skills are needed. Some are supporting the sheriff's station with extra shifts, especially with the five Freedom Fighters we have in holding."

Rebecca's brows furrowed, her fingers stopping mid-turn as her eyes locked onto Trina. "Five?" she asked, her voice lowering with concern. "There were six Freedom Fighters who came through the portal ahead of us. Where's the sixth?"

Regina's posture stiffened at the news, and Emma's face turned pale as she made the connection. The missing Freedom Fighter could be anywhere—and if they were still out there, it could mean Emory's life was at even greater risk. The realization settled like a weight in the room, the atmosphere heavy with the tension of uncertainty.

Trina hesitated, "I... don't know," she said, her voice tight with realization. "But if one of them is missing, that's a serious problem."

Emma took a step forward, pulling out her phone. "I'm going to contact my dad," she said, her voice urgent. "If there's one more Freedom Fighter on the loose, we need to know where they are. I'm not taking any chances."

Regina nodded, her mind racing. "I'll go on patrol in the woods with you. It's a good place to start searching. If they're hiding out somewhere nearby, we might be able to track them down."

"We'll need more than just the two of you." Rebecca says before turning to face her sister, "The scouts are excellent trackers. We could round them up to help with the search. If we're going into the woods, we'll need all the eyes we can get."

Trina nodded in agreement, a spark of determination lighting up her eyes. "I also suggest we get Granny, Aunt Ruby, and Grams involved. They know how to track just as well as anyone, and they're familiar with the land." She glanced at Rebecca, who gave a slight nod in agreement.

Regina was quiet for a moment, unsure what to make of her daughter also calling Snow Grams. "You're right," Regina said, her voice firm with the weight of her decision. "Trina, you and Rebecca go make sure Granny and the others are ready to move. Emma, head to the sheriff's station to coordinate with your father and then meet me at the edge of the woods. If we work together, we'll cover more ground."

Rebecca's eyes were sharp as she stood up, brushing dust from her hands. "If the sixth fighter is still out there, they're likely working to free the ones we have locked up. Trina and I will focus on searching around the station and in town."

Trina's face hardened as she stared down at the tomb she had been flipping through, frustration and fear mixing in her expression. "I hate this waiting game. We're always one step behind. We have to move fast."

Emma nodded, slipping her phone into her pocket before turning to leave. "I texted Belle to see if she can stay with Henry at the loft since mom will be out with us," she said, "Just—be careful. All of you."

The door to the vault clicked shut behind Emma as she left, the soft echo of her footsteps fading away. Regina stood still for a moment, gathering her thoughts as she stared at the shelf of tombs. So much of her life had been shaped by magic, by dark forces—and now, it seemed like the only way forward was to rely on that very same power. But it wasn't just magic that was needed now. It was family, allies, and courage.

Turning to Rebecca and Trina, Regina gave them a nod. "We need to get moving. Be safe, both of you. I just got you, I don't want to lose either of you."

Together, the trio left the vault, the heavy stone doors closing with a finality that mirrored their resolve. They would find Emory. They would track down the missing Freedom Fighter. And they would stop them—whatever it took.